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Columbus State Community College

#2126 in US ranking Columbus, OH
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$13,493
Tuition & fees
$5,788
Avg. aid
$4,986
Receiving aid
81%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
28%
Median salary
$46,157
1 yr after graduation

What is the history of Columbus State Community College?

Columbus State Community College is a public community college in Columbus, Ohio, with roots in technical education. It opened in 1963 as Columbus Area Technician School, became Columbus Technical Institute in 1973, and adopted its current name in 1987.

Those changes help explain the college's present mix of career-focused certificates, associate degrees, and courses designed for transfer to four-year institutions. Its expansion beyond downtown Columbus, including a campus in Delaware, Ohio, has also made it possible for students in different parts of central Ohio to attend classes closer to home.

What are the faculties and departments at Columbus State Community College?

Columbus State organizes instruction around transfer-oriented academic subjects and applied fields such as business, technology, and health care. Students can pursue associate degrees and certificates rather than graduate degrees.

Program choices include arts and sciences, business, computer and information technology, engineering technologies, hospitality, nursing and other health professions, and public-service fields. An associate of arts or associate of science may suit a student planning to transfer; an applied associate degree or certificate may be more directly tied to an occupation. The distinction matters because courses that satisfy a career program do not automatically satisfy a particular university major.

Some programs involve clinical placements, equipment-intensive courses, background checks, or separate admission requirements. Applicants should review the current catalog and the requirements for their intended program, not just the college's general admission policy.

What is the location of Columbus State Community College?

Columbus State's main campus is in downtown Columbus, Ohio, and the college also operates a campus in Delaware, north of the city. The urban main-campus setting gives students access to central Ohio employers and public transportation, while the Delaware location offers another option for some courses and services.

Students should check where each required class meets before choosing a schedule: a program may include in-person work at a particular campus even when other courses are online. Commuting time, parking, and transit connections can materially affect the cost and practicality of attendance. John Glenn Columbus International Airport serves the region, although routine travel between campuses is more likely to be a student's transportation concern.

What is the mission and vision of Columbus State Community College?

Columbus State describes its mission in terms of accessible education that helps students reach academic and career goals. Its stated priorities connect individual learning with the educational and workforce needs of central Ohio.

That purpose is reflected in the college's combination of transfer pathways, occupational programs, and flexible enrollment options. These are institutional aims, not assurances that a particular student will transfer, finish a credential, or obtain a job. Columbus State is a public institution and has no religious affiliation.

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Columbus State Community College Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

Columbus State Community College

Level of institution

Four or more years

Control of institution

Public

Setting type

City: Large

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, not primarily baccalaureate or above

Institution size category

20,000 and above

School type

Two-year college

Main student body

Coeducational

Calendar system

Semesters

Foundation year

1963

Columbus State Community College Accreditation

Columbus State Community College is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.

Columbus State Community College Programs and Degrees

iconCertificate of less than 1 year
iconCertificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
iconAssociate's degree
iconBachelor's degree

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.