2020-21 Undergraduate Cost of Attendance

A student's cost of attendance is always based on the student’s financial aid enrollment status and is constructed to allow the student a reasonable cost of living based on the amount of time a student will spend attending classes or completing academic activities. For a list of Columbia's direct costs, please review the tuition and fees page.

Note: because Columbia does not charge students a mandatory health insurance fee, the college is unable to include an allowance for health insurance costs as part of the standard cost of attendance construction.

Here is an estimated budget for students attending Columbia full-time during the 2020-21 academic year.

Undergraduate cost of attendance, full time, per semester (fall/spring)*
Tuition  $13,305
Estimated Fees $807-$1,073
Books and Supplies  $800
Miscellaneous

An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs.

 $1,003
Transportation  $425
Loan Fees  $40
Subtotal $16,646
Room and board for students living with parents  $1,487
Total for students living with parents $18,133
Room and board for students living without their parents  $8,228
Total for students living without their parents $24,874

*Costs are per semester, per credit hour. These numbers show tuition and fees for full-time undergraduate students, including degree programs, certificate programs, and student-at-large. The costs above reflect 12 credit hours. 

For students registered for fewer than 12 credit hours (for fall/spring semesters), please keep reading to review estimated budgets.

Please note: Costs are per semester. 

  • Three-quarters time (9-11 credits)
    Undergraduate students registered for 9-11 credit hours (fall/spring)*
    Tuition  $10,109
    Estimated Fees $434-$632
    Books and Supplies $600
    Miscellaneous

    An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs; prorated for any enrollment status less than Full-Time.

    		 $752
    Transportation $319
    Loan Fees $40
    Subtotal $12,452
    Room and board for students living with parents $1,115
    Total for students living with parents $13,567
    Room and board for students living without their parents $6,171
    Total for students living without their parents $18,623

     

  • Half-time (6-8 credits)
    Undergraduate students registered for 6-8 credit hours (fall/spring)*
    Tuition  $7,352
    Estimated Fees $434-$578
    Books and Supplies $400
    Miscellaneous

    An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs; prorated for any enrollment status less than Full-Time.

    		 $502
    Transportation $213
    Loan Fees $40
    Subtotal $9,085
    Room and board for students living with parents $744
    Total for students living with parents $9,829
    Room and board for students living without their parents $4,114
    Total for students livingwithout their parents $13,199
  • Less-than half-time (5 credits or less)
    Undergraduate students registered for less than 5 credit hours (fall/spring)*
    Tuition  $4,595
    Estimated Fees $284-$374
    Books and Supplies $200
    Miscellaneous

    Students at less-than half-time are ineligible for a miscellaneous allowance per federal regulations.

    		 $0
    Transportation $106
    Subtotal $5,275
    Room and board for students living with parents $372
    Total for students living with parents $5,647
    Room and board for students living without their parents $2,057
    Total for students living without their parents $7,332

For students attending Columbia full-time during the 2020-21 summer semester, please review the estimated budget.

Undergraduate cost of attendance, summer session**
Tuition  $8,820
Estimated Fees $768-$948
Books and Supplies $800
Miscellaneous

An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs.

 $669
Transportation $283
Loan Fees $26
Subtotal $11,546
Room and board for students living with parents $1,190
Total for students living with parents $12,736
Room and board for students living without their parents $6,400
Total for students living without their parents $17,946

**Tuition costs are per credit hour. The costs above reflect 12 credit hours. Each additional credit hour is $750.

For students registered for fewer than 12 credit hours (for summer semesters), please keep reading to review estimated budgets.

  • Three-quarters time (9-11 credits)
    Undergraduate students registered for 9-11 credit hours (summer)
    Tuition $8,085
    Estimated Fees $434-$599
    Books and Supplies $600
    Miscellaneous

    An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs; prorated for any enrollment status less than Full-Time.

    		 $502
    Transportation $212
    Loan Fees $26
    Subtotal $10,024
    Room and board for students living with parents $893
    Total for students living with parents $10,917
    Room and board for students living without their parents $4,800
    Total for students living without their parents $14,824
  • Half-time (6-8 credits)
    Undergraduate students registered for 6-8 credit hours (summer)
    Tuition  $5,880
    Estimated Fees $434-$554
    Books and Supplies $400
    Miscellaneous

    An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs; prorated for any enrollment status less than Full-Time.

    		 $335
    Transportation $142
    Loan Fees $26
    Subtotal $7,337
    Room and board for students living with parents $595
    Total for students living with parents $7,932
    Room and board for students without their parents $3,200
    Total for students living without parents $10,537
  • Less-than half-time (5 credits or less)
    Undergraduate students registered for less than 5 credit hours (summer)
    Tuition  $3,675
    Estimated Fees $284-$359
    Books and Supplies $200
    Miscellaneous

    Students at less-than half-time are ineligible for a miscellaneous allowance per federal regulations.

    		 $0
    Transportation $71
    Subtotal $4,305
    Room and board for students living with parents $298
    Total for students living with parents $4,603
    Room and board for students living without their parents $1,600
    Total for students living without their parents $5,905
Academic Dates and Deadlines