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Downtown Columbus, Georgia skylinePhoto: PghPhxNfk · CC BY-SA 4.0
Colleges in and near Columbus

Columbus is home to three colleges, with 7,816 students on campus

Columbus State University (5,406 students on campus) and Columbus Technical College (2,140) are inside the city. About 6% of Columbus’ residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Georgia (6%).

Columbus State UniversityColumbus Technical College

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Columbus. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
4
9,266 students on campus
Nearest college
4 mi
Columbus State
Residents in college
6%
About the same as GA (6%)
Nearest community college
6.1 mi
Columbus Technical College · $4,052 tuition
Nearest public university
4 mi
Columbus State · $5,898 in-state
Median household income
$58K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Columbus

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Two colleges within 6.1 milesColumbus State University admits 99% of applicants. Together they have 7,546 students on campus.In-state price at Columbus StateLiving in Georgia, Columbus State University charges $5,898 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $17,610. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 6.1 miles awayColumbus Technical College in Columbus: tuition and fees $4,052 a year for Georgia residents.Students are 6% of residentsAbout the same as Georgia (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Columbus

One private college within 4.2 miles, one public college within 4 miles, and two community colleges.

5 mi10 mi15 miColumbus StateColumbus Technical CollegeChattahoochee ValleyColumbus
University or collegeCommunity college
Columbus State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 5,406 on campus · In Columbus99%admitted$13knet price42%graduate$45kearningsMiller-Motte College-ColumbusUniversity or college · For-profit · 270 on campus · In Columbus$21knet price13%graduate$31kearningsEarnings are reported for all 22 campuses that file with it.Columbus Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · 2,140 on campus · In Columbus$4knet price27%graduate$34kearningsTuition and fees: $4,052 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Chattahoochee Valley Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 1,450 on campus · 11 mi · Phenix City, AL$4knet price36%graduate$36kearningsTuition and fees: $5,100 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Columbus’ median household income ($58,073) falls.

Chattahoochee Valley Community College11 mi · Phenix City, AL · sticker $12,600 · tuition $5,100$5,474a year
Columbus Technical CollegeIn Columbus · sticker $13,144 · tuition $4,052$6,170a year
Columbus State UniversityIn Columbus · sticker $21,676$13,786a year
Miller-Motte College-ColumbusIn Columbus · sticker $27,114—a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Columbus: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Columbus StateMiller-Motte College-ColumbusColumbus Technical CollegeChattahoochee Valley
Columbus State University42% graduate$45k earnings$26k typical debt
Columbus Technical College27% graduate$34k earnings$9k typical debt
Chattahoochee Valley Community College36% graduate$36k earnings$10k typical debt
Miller-Motte College-Columbus13% graduate$31k earnings*$16k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: Miller-Motte College-Columbus (22).

Majors

What students study in Columbus

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Columbus’ 3 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Health professions 17%Business 13%Mechanics & repair 9%Public safety 8%Computer science 7%Visual & performing arts 7%Everything else 39%

Biggest programs

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingColumbus State University · 114 graduates a year
$90k4 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralColumbus State University · 61 graduates a year
$81k4 yrs out
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, GeneralColumbus State University · 61 graduates a year
$46k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingColumbus Technical College · 61 graduates a year
$85k4 yrs out
Biology, GeneralColumbus State University · 59 graduates a year
$48k4 yrs out
Business/Commerce, GeneralColumbus State University · 55 graduates a year
$53k4 yrs out
Communication and Media StudiesColumbus State University · 53 graduates a year
$48k4 yrs out
Psychology, GeneralColumbus State University · 46 graduates a year
$41k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Columbus

Is Columbus a college town?

No. About 6 of every 100 Columbus residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Georgia (6). The largest campus in the city, Columbus State University, has 5,406 students on campus.

What colleges are in Columbus?

Columbus State University, Columbus Technical College and Miller-Motte College-Columbus are inside the city.

What is the closest community college to Columbus, and what does it cost?

Columbus Technical College in Columbus, 6.1 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,052 a year for Georgia residents; the federal net price, $4,001, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Columbus State University cost if we live in Georgia?

Tuition and fees are $5,898 a year in-state and $17,610 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $11,271 (under $30,000 income) to $18,329 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Columbus. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →