You would borrow a median $22,750 — about $259 a month for ten years. Graduates earn a median $41,338 ten years after starting, so the debt clears in roughly — years of the salary premium.
The figures below are what the US Department of Education publishes for this university.
Under roughly 15% of gross pay, repayment is generally considered manageable alongside rent and living costs.
Every dollar you win is a dollar you never repay — and it moves the —-year payback above. We list 1 scholarship tied to Columbia College.
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The typical graded university clears its debt in 1.3 years on median earnings of $57,146 against $22,500 of debt. Columbia College sits inside that set, and its graduates earn $1,818 a year more than a US worker with only a high-school diploma.
| Nearby university | Grade | Debt | Earnings | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson University South Carolina | B | $21,500 | $71,513 | 0.7 yrs |
| Furman University South Carolina | B | $23,250 | $68,635 | 0.8 yrs |
| Wofford College South Carolina | B | $25,732 | $68,964 | 0.9 yrs |
| Presbyterian College South Carolina | C | $26,000 | $60,194 | 1.3 yrs |
| College of Charleston South Carolina | C | $23,250 | $56,416 | 1.4 yrs |
Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard — earnings and debt cover students who received federal financial aid and blend every subject taught at the institution. Figures imported 28 Aug 2026. This page is information, not financial advice.