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Columbus State University
Columbus State University admits nearly everyone — 99.1% of applicants. A feature, not a flaw: the page below asks whether Columbus State University is worth attending, not whether you'll get in.
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Columbus State University sits in Columbus proper — a public campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it.
Its highest-earning path is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, where graduates median $89,659 four years out. Faculty pay averages $105,624 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. Most of its 5,625 undergraduates commute — campus empties by evening — yet 69.7% of first-years return, which says something about what daytime here is worth.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 860 and 1100 — below the GA middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Columbus State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
You can apply to Columbus State University without scores. Among admitted students who did submit, the middle half landed between 860 and 1100; applicants below that range often simply apply without them.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 460 | 500 | 570 |
| SAT Math | 400 | 450 | 530 |
| ACT Composite | 17 | 20 | 24 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Columbus State University received 3,550 applications and admitted 3,523 (99.2%), with 1,083 enrolling.
How Columbus State University compares
| Columbus State University | Georgia median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 99.1% | 73.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $5,898 | $13,920 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $44,544 | $47,290 | $53,781 |
Ten years out, Columbus State University's median earnings are $44,544 — below the Georgia benchmark of $47,290. Weigh that against the $5,898 price above; the by-major table shows majors drive much of this gap.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Columbus State University prices by residency: $5,898 in-state versus $17,610 out-of-state — a $11,712 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
Columbus State University enrolls 5,625 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Columbus State University's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
41.8% graduate within six years. Roughly 58% don't — ask a Columbus State University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Columbus State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $89,659 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $80,694 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $65,380 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $63,514 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $61,389 |
| Political Science and Government | $57,008 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $53,246 |
| Marketing | $52,588 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $50,864 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $49,956 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $49,912 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $49,673 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $48,499 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $48,125 |
| Biology, General | $47,819 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $46,723 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $45,997 |
| Sociology | $44,506 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $42,316 |
| Psychology, General | $41,266 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $35,560 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $34,931 |
| Music | $18,218 |
Median earnings for these 23 Columbus State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $44,544 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 11 additional Columbus State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Columbus State University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 860–1100 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 99.1% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Columbus State University's acceptance rate?
99.2% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 3,523 admitted from 3,550 applicants.
How much does Columbus State University cost?
In-state tuition is $5,898; out-of-state students pay $17,610. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Columbus State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $44,544 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Georgia
- Covenant College — 86.5% admitted
- College of Coastal Georgia — 98.1% admitted
- Brewton-Parker Christian University — 96.5% admitted
- Brenau University — 87.8% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.