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Columbia College

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  • 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 2,828 students (25% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 34:1 is lower than the state community college average of 44:1.
Minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 77%.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Enrollment: 2,828 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,150
  • Out-state tuition: $6,406
  • Student-teacher ratio: 34:1
  • Minority enrollment: 34%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Overview

The teacher population of 82 teachers has declined by 51% over five years.
Columbia College
(CA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Year Founded
1968
Campus Size
280 acres
Total Faculty
82 staff
72 staff
School Calendar

Student Body

The student population of Columbia College has grown by 32% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 34:1 has increased from 15:1 over five years.
The Columbia College diversity score of 0.51 is less than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has grown by 38% over five years.
Total Enrollment
2,828 students
6,838 students

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

Student-Teacher Ratio
34:1
44:1
# Full-Time Students
718 students
1,022 students

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

# Part-Time Students
2,110 students
5,816 students

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

# Enrollment Undergraduate
2,828 students
2,055 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
718 students
967 students

Showing 2013–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
2,110 students
5,850 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
2%
n/a
% Asian
3%
12%

Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% Hispanic
23%
46%

Showing 2010–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% Black
3%
7%

Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% White
66%
23%

Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% Two or more races
1%
5%
% Unknown races
2%
6%
Diversity Score
0.51
0.71

Showing 2011–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
27%
42%

Showing 2015–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$30,300
$34,300

Tuition & Financial Aid

The public in-state tuition of $1,150 is less than the state average of $1,238. The in-state tuition has declined by 9% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,406 is less than the state average of $6,634. The out-state tuition has declined by 13% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,150
$1,238
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,406
$6,634
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
74%
85%

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

Sports

Colors
Red and Gold
School Mascot
Claim Jumper
Source: 2025 (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 Facts (26-27)

  • Enrollment: 2,828 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,150
  • Out-state tuition: $6,406
  • Student-teacher ratio: 34:1
  • Minority enrollment: 34%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Did You Know?

For California public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $1,238 per year for in-state students and $6,634 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $18,639 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in California is 80%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

California community colleges have a diversity score of 0.71, which is lower than the national average of 0.74. The most diverse community college in California is Young Americans College of the Performing Arts. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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