
1301 Columbia College Drive, Columbia, SC 29203, USA


Columbia College was founded in 1854, originally established as the Columbia Female College. It was created to provide higher education opportunities to women at a time when such options were limited. Over the years, the institution has evolved significantly, adapting to changing educational needs and expanding its academic offerings. Despite its long history, Columbia College has continuously maintained a focus on empowering students through a comprehensive liberal arts education.
The college experienced growth and transformation throughout the 20th century, including changes in name and mission to better reflect its expanding programs and student body. While retaining its tradition of fostering a supportive learning environment, Columbia College has diversified its curriculum and embraced a wide range of disciplines. This evolution has allowed it to stay relevant and competitive among contemporary institutions of higher learning.
Today, Columbia College represents a blend of historic roots and modern academic ambition, aiming to prepare students for professional and personal success. Its history demonstrates a commitment to adapting education for the evolving roles and expectations of its students over more than a century and a half.
Columbia College offers a diverse range of academic departments designed to cater to a variety of student interests and career goals. The institution structures its curriculum across several key faculties, which include Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, and Nursing, each housing specialized departments aligned with their respective disciplines.
Within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, students can engage in studies that foster critical thinking and a broad intellectual foundation, encompassing departments that cover humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. This faculty emphasizes a liberal arts education, encouraging interdisciplinary exploration.
The Business faculty provides programs focused on practical and theoretical aspects of the commercial world, including departments such as Accounting, Management, and Marketing. These departments aim to prepare students for leadership roles by combining current business practices with strategic insight.
Education at Columbia College is supported by a dedicated faculty that prepares future educators through a variety of department offerings, ranging from early childhood education to administrative roles. Emphasis is placed on developing teaching skills, curriculum design, and educational leadership.
The Nursing faculty is committed to training healthcare professionals with programs that integrate both clinical practice and academic knowledge. Departments within this faculty focus on nursing theory, patient care, and health sciences, equipping students to meet the evolving demands of the healthcare field.
Columbia College is situated at 1301 Columbia College Drive in Columbia, South Carolina, providing a campus that is conveniently accessible to students living in or near the city. The location benefits from its proximity to Columbia Metropolitan, enhancing connectivity and transportation options for those commuting to and from the college.
Columbia College emphasizes providing an education that cultivates critical thinking, leadership, and ethical decision-making skills among its students. The institution aims to foster a diverse learning environment where students can engage deeply with their disciplines while developing a strong sense of social responsibility.
The college's vision reflects a commitment to empowering students to become lifelong learners and contributors to society, equipped to navigate and influence an ever-changing global landscape. It prioritizes personal growth alongside academic achievement, encouraging individuals to pursue excellence in their chosen fields while remaining aware of broader community impacts.
Through its educational approach, Columbia College seeks to prepare students not only for professional success but also for meaningful civic participation, highlighting the importance of integrity and collaboration in both personal and professional realms.
Name of the institution
Columbia CollegeLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: MidsizeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999School type
Comprehensive higher education institutionMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1854
Certificate of less than 1 year
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Certificate of at least 2 years, but less than 4 years
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practice
Doctor's degree - other
Other degreeDegrees
Accounting and Related Services
Data not availableAllied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
Data not availableBehavioral Sciences
Data not availableBiochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
Data not availableBiology, General
$25,452Business Administration, Management and Operations
Data not availableChemistry
Data not availableClinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
Data not availableCommunication and Media Studies
$31,802Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
Data not availableCommunity Organization and Advocacy
Data not availableComputer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other
Data not availableComputer and Information Sciences, General
Data not availableCriminal Justice and Corrections
$44,941Dance
Data not availableData Analytics
Data not availableEducation, General
Data not availableEnglish Language and Literature, General
Data not availableEnglish Language and Literature/Letters, Other
Data not availableFine and Studio Arts
Data not availableFire Protection
Data not availableHealth and Medical Administrative Services
Data not availableHealth and Physical Education/Fitness
Data not availableHealth Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
Data not availableHealth/Medical Preparatory Programs
Data not availableHistory
Data not availableHomeland Security
$56,728Hospitality Administration/Management
Data not availableHuman Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
Data not availableHuman Services, General
Data not availableInternational Business
Data not availableJournalism
Data not availableLiberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Data not availableManagement Sciences and Quantitative Methods
Data not availableMarketing
Data not availableMathematics
Data not availableMulti-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General
Data not availableMusic
Data not availableNatural Resources Conservation and Research
Data not availablePolitical Science and Government
Data not availablePsychology, General
$27,946Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other
Data not availablePublic Health
Data not availablePublic Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
Data not availableRadio, Television, and Digital Communication
Data not availableRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Data not availableReligion/Religious Studies
Data not availableRhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
Data not availableRomance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Data not availableSecurity Science and Technology
Data not availableSocial Work
$31,014Special Education and Teaching
Data not availableSpecialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations
Data not availableTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
$31,329Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
Data not available