West Columbia, South Carolina Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)

Last updated: June 4, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

TL;DR

Colleges in West Columbia, South Carolina: median public in-state tuition $5,100 (-7.5% vs national median) median graduate debt $11,740 (-11.5% vs U.S.) 7,947 students enrolled statewide.

Key Facts

  • Institutions in this profile: 3 campuses
  • Total college enrollment: 7,947 students
  • Median public in-state tuition: $5,100 (-7.5% vs U.S.)
  • Median net price: $17,337 (+73.9% vs U.S.)
  • Median student debt at graduation: $11,740 (-11.5% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $14,456

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Overview

Colleges and universities in West Columbia serve students across South Carolina with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 3 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 7,947 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $5,100. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against West Columbia, South Carolina and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.

West Columbia vs South Carolina & national benchmarks

Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.

State versus regional and national education metrics
Geography In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion rate Enrollment
West Columbia, South Carolina$5,100$17,337$11,740N/A7,947
South Carolina (state median)$7,558$11,376$15,39248.0%199,420
United States$5,512$9,969$13,27150.3%14,468,221

Earnings & employment outcomes: West Columbia, South Carolina vs benchmarks

Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.

Earnings and employment outcome benchmarks
Geography Median earnings (10 yr) Working & not enrolled (8 yr) Retention (FT yr 1) 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment progress Debt ÷ earnings
West Columbia, South CarolinaN/AN/AN/A——N/AN/A
South Carolina (state median)$44,97888.9%69.8%6.3%—66.1%0.55
United States$54,38488.0%76.4%5.0%—73.7%0.41

Other cities in South Carolina (3+ campuses)

Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.

Peer comparison table
City In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion Enrollment Earnings (10 yr) Working (8 yr)
West Columbia, South Carolina$5,100$17,337$11,740N/A7,947N/AN/A
Columbia$18,145$22,811$21,50030.6%35,341$36,68687.1%
Columbia$18,145$22,811$21,50030.6%35,341$36,68687.1%
Columbia$18,145$22,811$21,50030.6%35,341$36,68687.1%
Charleston$12,978$19,019$15,00063.9%27,302$64,25088.1%
Charleston$12,978$19,019$15,00063.9%27,302$64,25088.1%
Conway$8,054$9,062$19,00048.5%16,651$47,25878.5%
Conway$8,054$9,062$19,00048.5%16,651$47,25878.5%
Greenville$18,484$17,979$15,98842.8%15,579$44,35481.1%
United States$5,512$9,969$13,27150.3%14,468,221$54,38488.0%

In-state tuition: West Columbia, South Carolina vs benchmarks

Sticker price

West Columbia, South Carolina median in-state tuition is $5,100, -7.5% vs the U.S. median.

Student debt: West Columbia, South Carolina vs benchmarks

Borrowing

Median debt at graduation in West Columbia, South Carolina is $11,740 (-11.5% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $14,456.

Analysis & insights

EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.

Costs & borrowing

West Columbia, South Carolina median public in-state tuition is $5,100, about -7.5% vs the national median. Versus the Southeast region, tuition is +2.2%.

Median graduate debt is $11,740 (-11.5% below the U.S. median of $13,271). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many colleges are in West Columbia?

This city profile covers 3 campuses in West Columbia, South Carolina with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.

How much does college cost in West Columbia?

Median in-state tuition in West Columbia is $5,100 and median net price is $17,337. For South Carolina overall, medians are $7,558 and $11,376; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.

What do graduates earn in West Columbia?

Median 10-year earnings for campuses in West Columbia is N/A vs $44,978 for South Carolina and $54,384 nationally.

What is student debt like for West Columbia colleges?

Median completer debt in West Columbia is $11,740 vs $15,392 for South Carolina and $13,271 nationally.

Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in West Columbia?

Among 3 College Scorecard campuses in West Columbia, South Carolina, none are flagged as HBCUs or tribal colleges in IPEDS, and none meet our 25% Hispanic-enrollment HSI proxy or report a religious affiliation in IPEDS.

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