Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Columbia College
Bachelor's Degree
Where Columbia College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in South Carolina
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities bachelors's programs at peer institutions in South Carolina (34 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia College | — | $41,757 | — | — |
| University of South Carolina-Upstate | $36,241 | $38,742 | $30,000 | 0.83 |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | $33,245 | $35,031 | $26,000 | 0.78 |
| Benedict College | $33,120 | $30,725 | — | — |
| Limestone University | $31,235 | $37,677 | $33,430 | 1.07 |
| North Greenville University | $29,506 | $32,123 | $25,500 | 0.86 |
| National Median | $36,340 | — | $27,000 | 0.74 |
Other Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs in South Carolina
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across South Carolina schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Carolina-Upstate Spartanburg | $11,583 | $36,241 | $30,000 |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia | $12,688 | $33,245 | $26,000 |
| Benedict College Columbia | $18,000 | $33,120 | — |
| Limestone University Gaffney | $27,500 | $31,235 | $33,430 |
| North Greenville University Tigerville | $24,650 | $29,506 | $25,500 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Columbia College, approximately 53% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.