Columbia College

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Columbia College Photo #1
  • Consistent with the mission of the California Community Colleges and the Yosemite Community College District, Columbia College is committed to offering a comprehensive range of transfer, vocational, cultural, and community education, and to facilitating community and economic development. The College provides educational programs and support services to assist students and the broader community in gaining access to higher education and achieving success in their chosen endeavors.

School Highlights

Columbia College serves 2,132 students (27% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is lower than the state community college average of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 74%.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 2,132 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,150
  • Out-state tuition: $6,406
  • Student:teacher ratio: 13:1
  • Minority enrollment: 22%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Overview

The teacher population of 169 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Columbia College
(CA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
169 staff
312 staff
This chart display total faculty of Columbia College and community college average number of faculty in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Columbia College has declined by 18% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 has decreased from 15:1 over five years.
The Columbia College diversity score of 0.37 is less than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has declined by 23% over five years.
Total Enrollment
2,132 students
7,900 students
This chart display the total enrollment of Columbia College and community college average number of enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
21:1
This chart display the student staff ratio of Columbia College and community college average student staff ratio of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
574 students
1,661 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Columbia College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
1,558 students
6,239 students
This chart display the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Columbia College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
This chart display the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Columbia College.
This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of CA.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
143 students
302 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
574 students
1,646 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Columbia College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
54 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,558 students
6,288 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
10 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
2%
n/a
This chart display the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Columbia College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.
% Asian
1%
13%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Columbia College and the percentage of Asian community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hispanic
15%
45%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Columbia College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
3%
5%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Columbia College and the percentage of Black community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% White
78%
26%
This chart display the percentage of White students in Columbia College and the percentage of White community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
This chart display the percentage of Hawaiian students in Columbia College and the percentage of Hawaiian community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2012-13 school year data.
% Two or more races
n/a
4%
This chart display the percentage of Two or more races students in Columbia College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
% Non Resident races
n/a
3%
% Unknown races
1%
4%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Columbia College.
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in CA.
Diversity Score
0.37
0.71
This chart display the diversity score of Columbia College and the community college average diversity score of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
36%
35%
This chart display completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Columbia College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
1.92%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$30,300
$34,700
This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Columbia College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of CA by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $1,150 is less than the state average of $1,993. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,406 is less than the state average of $7,120. The out-state tuition has declined by 5% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,150
$1,993
This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of Columbia College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,406
$7,120
This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Columbia College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
90%
86%
This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Columbia College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
n/a
$10,500
Median Debt for Dropouts
n/a
$6,239
Acceptance Rate
n/a
89%
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators

School Notes

  • Located on 280 acres of forestland in California's historic Mother Lode, our college campus surrounds a peaceful 4½ acre lake and has been described as one of the state's most beautiful community colleges. The College actively promotes transformational learning through critical and creative thinking that is open to change and personal growth; civic, environmental, and global awareness and engagement; and individual and collective responsibility. At the heart of our mission is a desire to develop a zest for lifelong learning throughout the community, with the College serving as its educational and cultural center. Columbia College is fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The Career Center, located within the Manzanita Building adjacent to the Counseling area, offers materials and services to assist students with career information. The Center maintains a variety of resources including occupational publications, newsletters, college catalogs, and Eureka, a computerized vocational/educational information system. The Columbia College professional counseling staff provide essential academic advising, career counseling and life planning activities to continuing, new and returning students in order to enhance each students educational experience at Columbia.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Columbia College cost?
Columbia College's tuition is approximately $1,150 for In-State students and $6,406 for Out-State students.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 2,132 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,150
  • Out-state tuition: $6,406
  • Student:teacher ratio: 13:1
  • Minority enrollment: 22%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Did You Know?

For California public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $1,993 per year for in-state students and $7,120 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $21,083 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in California is 81%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

California community colleges have a diversity score of 0.71, which is higher than the national average of 0.70. The most diverse community college in California is Berkeley City College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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