West Columbia, South Carolina Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
Executive Summary (TL;DR)
Colleges in West Columbia, South Carolina: median public in-state tuition $5,196 (-8.8% vs national median) median graduate debt $9,500 (-29.6% vs U.S.) 7,947 students enrolled statewide.
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 $5,196. 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.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Columbia, South Carolina | $5,196 | $14,672 | $9,500 | N/A | 7,947 |
| South Carolina (state median) | $7,558 | $10,890 | $16,500 | 49.0% | 199,420 |
| United States | $5,700 | $9,912 | $13,500 | 49.3% | 14,465,291 |
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.
| 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 Carolina | N/A | N/A | N/A | — | — | N/A | N/A |
| South Carolina (state median) | $49,442 | 93.0% | 69.8% | 6.3% | — | 66.1% | 0.46 |
| United States | $59,401 | 93.0% | 76.4% | 5.0% | — | 73.8% | 0.36 |
Other cities in South Carolina (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Columbia, South Carolina | $5,196 | $14,672 | $9,500 | N/A | 7,947 | N/A | N/A |
| Columbia | $18,145 | $22,197 | $21,472 | 42.1% | 35,341 | $41,986 | 90.1% |
| Columbia | $18,145 | $22,197 | $21,472 | 42.1% | 35,341 | $41,986 | 90.1% |
| Columbia | $18,145 | $22,197 | $21,472 | 42.1% | 35,341 | $41,986 | 90.1% |
| Charleston | $12,978 | $20,661 | $17,500 | 68.9% | 27,302 | $72,814 | 94.2% |
| Charleston | $12,978 | $20,661 | $17,500 | 68.9% | 27,302 | $72,814 | 94.2% |
| Conway | $9,171 | $8,037 | $17,888 | 54.2% | 16,651 | $54,702 | 93.2% |
| Conway | $9,171 | $8,037 | $17,888 | 54.2% | 16,651 | $54,702 | 93.2% |
| Greenville | $18,484 | $15,592 | $15,642 | 52.3% | 15,579 | $49,158 | 89.5% |
| United States | $5,700 | $9,912 | $13,500 | 49.3% | 14,465,291 | $59,401 | 93.0% |
In-state tuition: West Columbia, South Carolina vs benchmarks
Sticker price
West Columbia, South Carolina median in-state tuition is $5,196, -8.8% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: West Columbia, South Carolina vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in West Columbia, South Carolina is $9,500 (-29.6% vs U.S. median $13,500). Regional median: $15,558.
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 $5,196, about -8.8% vs the national median. Versus the Southeast region, tuition is +0.8%.
Median graduate debt is $9,500 (-29.6% below the U.S. median of $13,500). 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 $5,196 and median net price is $14,672. For South Carolina overall, medians are $7,558 and $10,890; U.S. medians are $5,700 and $9,912.
What do graduates earn in West Columbia?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in West Columbia is N/A vs $49,442 for South Carolina and $59,401 nationally.
What is student debt like for West Columbia colleges?
Median completer debt in West Columbia is $9,500 vs $16,500 for South Carolina and $13,500 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, none report at least 25% Hispanic undergraduate enrollment, and none report a religious affiliation in IPEDS.
Sources & related
- South Carolina college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON