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Columbus State University
Columbus, GA 5,625 Undergrads 47.9% Grad Rate
Total Cost
$21,676
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$13,115
After Aid
Median Earnings
$60,912
4yr Post-Grad
Vs. Peer Institutions
Net Price$13,115
Peer Midpoint: $20,080.5
Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)$60,912
Peer Midpoint: $60,428
Graduation Rate47.9%
Peer Midpoint: 58.9%
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients47.3%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time72.2%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS65.7%
Admissions Profile
Acceptance
99.1%
SAT Avg
977
SAT Reading
25th: 44050575th: 530
SAT Math
25th: 36049575th: 530
ACT Composite
25th: 162175th: 22
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$543k
+$76k
+$59k
Median Cost$13k/yr
+$496k
+$29k
+$11k
Full Cost$22k/yr
+$465k
-$2k
-$19k
ROI Efficiency Metrics
Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
36
∞
Median Cost$13k/yr
54
24%
Full Cost$22k/yr
Never
-25%
Analysis Assumptions:
- Starting Salary: Estimated from the 4-year post-graduation median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).
- Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
- Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
- NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.
Social Impact ROINew
Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.
Donor Return56%
Gov. Pell Grant ROINew
Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.
Taxpayer Return-32%
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Program ROI Analysis
Certificates
Communication and Media Studies
CertCIP: 0901
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $43,761
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Software and Media Applications
CertCIP: 1108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,400
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
CertCIP: 1110
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $52,615
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Criminal Justice and Corrections
CertCIP: 4301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$65,062
Natl Median: $57,702
Lifetime Value Added
+$235k
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
CertCIP: 5005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $31,337
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
CertCIP: 5006
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $32,800
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Geography and Cartography
CertCIP: 4507
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,705
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
International/Globalization Studies
CertCIP: 3020
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $63,099
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering
CertCIP: 1442
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $70,006
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language
CertCIP: 1314
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $43,689
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Associate's Degrees
Communication and Media Studies
AssocCIP: 0901
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $43,243
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
AssocCIP: 1110
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,726
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Criminal Justice and Corrections
AssocCIP: 4301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $46,706
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
AssocCIP: 2401
Median Debt
$22,000
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,125
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Bachelor's Degrees
Accounting and Related Services
BachCIP: 5203
Median Debt
$23,625
Earnings (4yr)
$61,389
Natl Median: $76,194
Lifetime Value Added
+$15k
Biology, General
BachCIP: 2601
Median Debt
$27,275
Earnings (4yr)
$47,819
Natl Median: $57,214
Lifetime Value Added
-$96k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
BachCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$27,732
Earnings (4yr)
$49,673
Natl Median: $68,257
Lifetime Value Added
-$81k
Business/Commerce, General
BachCIP: 5201
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$53,246
Natl Median: $68,407
Lifetime Value Added
-$51k
Chemistry
BachCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,120
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Communication and Media Studies
BachCIP: 0901
Median Debt
$27,235
Earnings (4yr)
$48,499
Natl Median: $56,359
Lifetime Value Added
-$91k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
BachCIP: 1101
Median Debt
$29,750
Earnings (4yr)
$80,694
Natl Median: $92,374
Lifetime Value Added
+$164k
Criminal Justice and Corrections
BachCIP: 4301
Median Debt
$28,740
Earnings (4yr)
$49,956
Natl Median: $55,378
Lifetime Value Added
-$78k
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
BachCIP: 5005
Median Debt
$25,000
Earnings (4yr)
$34,931
Natl Median: $39,775
Lifetime Value Added
-$207k
English Language and Literature, General
BachCIP: 2301
Median Debt
$28,000
Earnings (4yr)
$42,316
Natl Median: $48,590
Lifetime Value Added
-$143k
Finance and Financial Management Services
BachCIP: 5208
Median Debt
$24,750
Earnings (4yr)
$65,380
Natl Median: $83,343
Lifetime Value Added
+$47k
Fine and Studio Arts
BachCIP: 5007
Median Debt
$29,983
Earnings (4yr)
$35,560
Natl Median: $41,367
Lifetime Value Added
-$201k
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
BachCIP: 4006
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$50,864
Natl Median: $60,190
Lifetime Value Added
-$71k
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
BachCIP: 5100
Median Debt
$26,970
Earnings (4yr)
$45,997
Natl Median: $61,296
Lifetime Value Added
-$112k
History
BachCIP: 5401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$47,914
Natl Median: $50,680
Lifetime Value Added
-$103k
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
BachCIP: 2401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $53,072
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
BachCIP: 1601
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,984
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Management Information Systems and Services
BachCIP: 5212
Median Debt
$26,450
Earnings (4yr)
$63,514
Natl Median: $83,290
Lifetime Value Added
+$32k
Marketing
BachCIP: 5214
Median Debt
$28,500
Earnings (4yr)
$52,588
Natl Median: $69,303
Lifetime Value Added
-$56k
Mathematics
BachCIP: 2701
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$42,682
Natl Median: $69,562
Lifetime Value Added
-$125k
Medieval and Renaissance Studies
BachCIP: 3013
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,941
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Music
BachCIP: 5009
Median Debt
$25,000
Earnings (4yr)
$18,218
Natl Median: $42,892
Lifetime Value Added
-$354k
Political Science and Government
BachCIP: 4510
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$57,008
Natl Median: $63,293
Lifetime Value Added
-$20k
Psychology, General
BachCIP: 4201
Median Debt
$25,390
Earnings (4yr)
$41,266
Natl Median: $50,706
Lifetime Value Added
-$152k
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
BachCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$20,744
Earnings (4yr)
$89,659
Natl Median: $88,910
Lifetime Value Added
+$232k
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
BachCIP: 2313
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$40,103
Natl Median: $44,260
Lifetime Value Added
-$169k
Sociology
BachCIP: 4511
Median Debt
$28,500
Earnings (4yr)
$44,506
Natl Median: $52,657
Lifetime Value Added
-$124k
Special Education and Teaching
BachCIP: 1310
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,499
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
BachCIP: 3105
Median Debt
$27,000
Earnings (4yr)
$49,912
Natl Median: $54,562
Lifetime Value Added
-$79k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
BachCIP: 1312
Median Debt
$28,544
Earnings (4yr)
$46,723
Natl Median: $47,382
Lifetime Value Added
-$106k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
BachCIP: 1313
Median Debt
$27,500
Earnings (4yr)
$48,125
Natl Median: $51,389
Lifetime Value Added
-$94k
Master's Degrees
Business Administration, Management and Operations
MastCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$33,994
Earnings (4yr)
$78,778
Natl Median: $103,485
Lifetime Value Added
+$30k
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
MastCIP: 5299
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$91,069
Natl Median: $96,656
Lifetime Value Added
+$138k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
MastCIP: 1101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$119,397
Natl Median: $124,201
Lifetime Value Added
+$385k
Criminal Justice and Corrections
MastCIP: 4301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$94,267
Natl Median: $66,714
Lifetime Value Added
+$166k
Education, Other
MastCIP: 1399
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,348
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Educational Administration and Supervision
MastCIP: 1304
Median Debt
$27,333
Earnings (4yr)
$74,854
Natl Median: $71,685
Lifetime Value Added
-$4k
Music
MastCIP: 5009
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $48,285
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
MastCIP: 0301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $74,607
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
MastCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$36,848
Earnings (4yr)
$111,944
Natl Median: $120,193
Lifetime Value Added
+$321k
Social Sciences, Other
MastCIP: 4599
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$67,595
Natl Median: $64,286
Lifetime Value Added
-$68k
Special Education and Teaching
MastCIP: 1310
Median Debt
$30,871
Earnings (4yr)
$63,482
Natl Median: $64,397
Lifetime Value Added
-$105k
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
MastCIP: 3105
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,033
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Student Counseling and Personnel Services
MastCIP: 1311
Median Debt
$47,391
Earnings (4yr)
$54,549
Natl Median: $60,111
Lifetime Value Added
-$188k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
MastCIP: 1312
Median Debt
$34,166
Earnings (4yr)
$62,834
Natl Median: $59,916
Lifetime Value Added
-$111k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
MastCIP: 1313
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$59,322
Natl Median: $63,707
Lifetime Value Added
-$154k
Graduate Certificates
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
Gr-CertCIP: 1110
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $101,517
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Music
Gr-CertCIP: 5009
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $40,504
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Gr-CertCIP: 1312
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $63,709
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Doctoral Degrees
Education, Other
DocCIP: 1399
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$107,801
Natl Median: $90,635
Lifetime Value Added
+$105k
Educational Administration and Supervision
DocCIP: 1304
Median Debt
$27,616
Earnings (4yr)
$85,580
Natl Median: $100,573
Lifetime Value Added
-$60k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
DocCIP: 1312
Median Debt
$54,843
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $81,822
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.
For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate degree decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.