About Columbia College Online

Columbia College has been helping students improve their lives through higher education since the college was founded in 1851 in Columbia, MO. As a private, not-for-profit liberal arts and sciences college, the college takes pride in its small classes, experienced faculty and high-quality educational programs. Columbia College serves 25,000 students each year through its Online Campus, 33 Nationwide campuses, Day Campus and Graduate Studies Program.

The Online Campus has been around since 2000; and, today, offers 18 online degrees and more than 500 online classes. More than 15,000 students take online classes through Columbia College each year.

What sets Columbia College apart?

Recognized for Academic Quality
Columbia College earned a top-tier ranking for the fourth consecutive year in U.S.News & World Report's 2008 edition of "America's Best Colleges." The Princeton Review named Columbia College among the "Best Midwestern Colleges."

Columbia College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association, a federally approved organization that accredits 8,500 public and private schools in 19 states.

Recognized for Affordability
Although it's a private school, Columbia College offers among the most competitive tuition rates at $205 per credit hour. And you won't find surprise fees tacked onto your bill.

- Financial aid is available to qualified students.
- The college accepts Veterans Administration benefits, military tuition assistance and corporate tuition assistance.

GetEducated.com designated Columbia College as a "Best Buy" for several online degrees. Columbia College also ranked among the "Great Schools at a Great Price" by U.S.News & World Report for schools in its category. The Student Guide to America's 100 Best College Scholarships lists Columbia College as one of the top-rated colleges with the lowest costs.

Flexible Scheduling
- Eight-week classes
- Sessions start in January, March, June, August and October
- Start-and-stop flexibility
- Students can access coursework online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Experienced Faculty
Columbia College's online instructors are practicing professionals, and all have a master's degree or higher in their subject areas. They also receive intensive training for teaching in an online environment.

Online Library Resources
As an online student, you'll have access to databases, articles, catalogs, books, journals, reference materials, newspapers, legal publications, tutorials and much more. Everything you need to be a successful student will be right at your fingertips. Research help also is available by phone or e-mail.

Online Academic Advisors
At Columbia College, our trained counselors are here to support you during your educational journey. Whether it's selecting courses or finding the course of study that's right for you, we're behind you all the way.

Student-friendly Transfer Credit Policy
- CLEP and DANTES are accepted.
- Most previous college courses from accredited colleges are accepted, even if classes were taken decades ago.
- You could receive college credit for military experience; police, fire and corrections training; or prior learning.

Military-friendly
- Columbia College is a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) network.
- One in four students at Columbia College is in the military or is a military dependent
- Columbia College courses of study are Veterans Administration (VA)-approved by state approving agencies.
- Transfer credit is awarded for CCAF, AARTS, SMARTS and other military experience.
- Columbia College participates in GoArmyEd.

Accessible
Applying to Columbia College is simple. Complete a one-page online application available on our Web site at www.ccis.edu/online/apply/.

Columbia College admission requirements are considered moderately selective. You may be admitted upon presenting a high school diploma, completion of a GED or evidence of satisfactory college work. If you don't have one of the requirements, admission may be considered on an individual basis if you can provide evidence that you can successfully meet the demands of Columbia College.

If you have questions along the way, whether you're applying to college or for financial aid, don't worry. Columbia College has trained staff to assist you.

Tradition of Academic Excellence
As a Columbia College graduate, you'll become part of a network of more than 60,000 graduates around the globe who call us their alma mater. You'll also be part of a history that began in Columbia, MO, more than 150 years ago when Columbia College was founded as Christian Female College, the first women's college west of the Mississippi River to be chartered by a state legislature.

In 1970, the name was changed to Columbia College when the college opened its doors to both women and men, and three years later, Columbia College became one of the first colleges in the country to focus on educating adult learners, including military personnel. Today, Columbia College serves 25,000 students each year.