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Columbus State University

CSU

Columbus, Georgia 31907-5645

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

UrbanGreek life

Known for health sciences — excellent value

Columbus State University is a public institution in Columbus with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 994, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 5.5K undergraduates with a 18:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

42% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $44,544 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $11,889.

Established
1958
Motto
Primus inter pares
Mascot
Cody Cougar
Type
Public university
Conference
Ohio Valley Conference
Division
Division II

Plan Your Visit

99%Acceptance
994SAT Avg
5,537Students
18:1Student:Faculty
42%Grad Rate
$44,544Earnings 10yr
$11,889Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate99.2%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 994

Reading & WritingMid: 505
460570
MathMid: 495
400530

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 21
1724

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$5,751
Tuition (out-of-state)$16,805
Room & Board$11,262
Books & Supplies$1,600
Total Cost of Attendance$19,953
Average Net Price$11,889
Median Debt at Graduation$26,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$276

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$10,370
$30–48K$10,797
$48–75K$13,287
$75–110K$15,598
$110K+$15,428

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

58.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

0.7%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$15,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

41

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

11

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

4

Motor Vehicle Theft

4

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

11

Drug Arrests

8

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (87)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

73%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
5,537
Gender Split
58% / 42%
Women / Men
First Generation
33%
Pell Grant Recipients
44%

Race & Ethnicity

White 41%
Black 38%
Hispanic 9%
Asian 3%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate41.7%
Freshman Retention72.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$39,190
10 Years$44,544

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#64
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History The university was first called Columbus College when it opened as a junior college in a former hosiery mill in 1958.
  • The college was staffed by fifteen faculty and staff and almost three hundred students attended courses in the first year.
  • Columbus College relocated to the midtown area in 1963, building a campus defined by modern architecture on what was previously a dairy farm.
  • The school was granted four-year status in 1965 with offerings of bachelor's and master's degrees.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

99Average

Estimated from GA state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 240Rainy days: 85

Nearest Cities

Atlantapop. 500K
92 mi(159 min)
Nashvillepop. 690K
274 mi(475 min)
Charlottepop. 880K
301 mi(522 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

ATL Atlanta84 mi
BHM Birmingham128 mi
JAX Jacksonville237 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1019 mi · ~29h 26m drive
New York, NY829 mi · ~23h 57m drive
Hartford, CT929 mi · ~26h 50m drive
Providence, RI983 mi · ~28h 24m drive
Albany, NY929 mi · ~26h 50m drive
Syracuse, NY872 mi · ~25h 11m drive
Rochester, NY837 mi · ~24h 11m drive
Buffalo, NY790 mi · ~22h 49m drive
Philadelphia, PA749 mi · ~21h 38m drive
Pittsburgh, PA613 mi · ~17h 43m drive
Harrisburg, PA699 mi · ~20h 12m drive
Newark, NJ824 mi · ~23h 48m drive
Washington, DC626 mi · ~18h 5m drive
Baltimore, MD661 mi · ~19h 6m drive
Atlanta, GA92 mi · ~2h 39m drive
Charlotte, NC301 mi · ~8h 42m drive
Raleigh, NC426 mi · ~12h 18m drive
Miami, FL547 mi · ~15h 48m drive
Orlando, FL346 mi · ~10h drive
Tampa, FL348 mi · ~10h 3m drive
Nashville, TN274 mi · ~7h 55m drive
New Orleans, LA351 mi · ~10h 8m drive
Richmond, VA549 mi · ~15h 52m drive
Chicago, IL664 mi · ~19h 11m drive
Detroit, MI687 mi · ~19h 51m drive
Minneapolis, MN971 mi · ~28h 3m drive
St. Louis, MO516 mi · ~14h 54m drive
Kansas City, MO706 mi · ~20h 24m drive
Indianapolis, IN507 mi · ~14h 39m drive
Columbus, OH527 mi · ~15h 13m drive
Cleveland, OH647 mi · ~18h 41m drive
Milwaukee, WI746 mi · ~21h 33m drive
Dallas, TX690 mi · ~19h 56m drive
Houston, TX645 mi · ~18h 38m drive
Austin, TX770 mi · ~22h 15m drive
San Antonio, TX830 mi · ~23h 59m drive
Los Angeles, CA1918 mi · ~55h 25m drive
San Francisco, CA2134 mi · ~61h 39m drive
San Diego, CA1868 mi · ~53h 58m drive
Seattle, WA2207 mi · ~63h 45m drive
Portland, OR2191 mi · ~63h 18m drive
Denver, CO1222 mi · ~35h 18m drive
Phoenix, AZ1570 mi · ~45h 21m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1592 mi · ~45h 59m drive
Honolulu, HI4476 mi · ~129h 18m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Deadline Calendar

Columbus State University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications