No college in Columbia, but 3 within 30 miles
The closest is Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, 24.5 miles from the center of town. Here’s what each costs, who gets in, and how students do.
College from Columbia
Read from the numbers below. The page puts what stands out first.
Colleges near Columbia
Every degree-granting college within 30 miles of the center of Columbia.
Straight-line distance. Degree-granting colleges with students on campus. Dashed rows are too small, or report too little to the Department of Education, for a page of their own.
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for families on federal aid. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at Under $30k, where Columbia’s median household income ($26K) falls.
Federal figures: your own price depends on your aid package. Every college has a net price calculator on its website. “—” = not reported for that income.
Do students finish, and does it pay?
Each dot is a college near Columbia: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, students on federal aid. A college that’s part of a larger system reports earnings for the whole system.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023). “On campus” counts fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Net price is the average a year after grants for families on federal aid; earnings are the median 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. Distances are straight-line from the center of Columbia. Town figures: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.