Columbus is home to 11 colleges, with about 84,000 students on campus
Ohio State University (56,206 students on campus) and Columbus State Community College (20,012) are inside the city, and Capital University (2,308) is 3.3 miles from the center, in Bexley. About 9% of Columbus’ residents are enrolled in college, above Ohio (6%).
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
14
88,952 students on campus
Nearest college
1.2 mi
Columbus State
Residents in college
9%
Above OH (6%)
Nearest community college
1.2 mi
Columbus State · $5,488 tuition
Nearest public university
1.2 mi
Columbus State · $5,488 in-state
Median household income
$66K
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.
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 ($66,082) falls.
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.
Ohio State University88% graduate$60k earnings*$20k typical debt
Columbus State Community College28% graduate$39k earnings$9k typical debt
Hondros College of Nursing21% graduate$59k 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: Ohio State (6); Chamberlain University-Ohio (15); Fortis College-Columbus (5).
Majors
What students study in Columbus
Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Columbus’ 9 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.
Health professions 21%Business 16%Engineering 10%Liberal arts 6%Biology 6%Social sciences 5%Everything else 37%
Biggest programs
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesColumbus State Community College · 1,195 graduates a year
$48k4 yrs out
Finance and Financial Management ServicesOhio State University · 817 graduates a year
$98k4 yrs out
Biology, GeneralOhio State University · 486 graduates a year
$64k4 yrs out
Communication and Media StudiesOhio State University · 478 graduates a year
$62k4 yrs out
MarketingOhio State University · 478 graduates a year
$81k4 yrs out
Computer EngineeringOhio State University · 455 graduates a year
$124k4 yrs out
Allied Health and Medical Assisting ServicesOhio State University · 436 graduates a year
$74k4 yrs out
Accounting and Related ServicesOhio State University · 297 graduates a year
$91k4 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. Left out: Franklin University, Valor Christian College, where most students study only online.
Questions about college in Columbus
Is Columbus a college town?
No. About 9 of every 100 Columbus residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Ohio (6). The largest campus in the city, Ohio State University, has 56,206 students on campus.
What colleges are in Columbus?
Ohio State University, Columbus State Community College, Hondros College of Nursing, Ohio Dominican University and 7 more are inside the city. Capital University is 3.3 miles from the center, in Bexley.
What is the closest community college to Columbus, and what does it cost?
Columbus State Community College in Columbus, 1.2 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,488 a year for Ohio residents; the federal net price, $8,400, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Columbus State Community College cost if we live in Ohio?
Tuition and fees are $5,488 a year in-state and $11,224 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $6,777 (under $30,000 income) to $12,985 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
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 →
Photo: Paul Wasneski · Public domain