Welcome to Columbia College

Founded in 1851, Columbia College has been helping students advance their lives through higher education for more than 150 years. As a private, non-profit, coeducational liberal arts and sciences college, the college takes pride in its small classes, experienced faculty and quality educational programs.

Originally founded as Christian Female College, the college was the first women's college west of the Mississippi River to be chartered by a state legislature. The college changed its name to Columbia College in 1970 when it changed from a two-year women's college to a four-year coeducational college.

Columbia College is a nonsectarian school welcoming students of all religious denominations. However, it has retained a covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) since its inception.

Diverse student body. More than 1,200 students attend the Day Campus, and nearly 3,000 working adults attend the Evening Campus both located in Columbia, Mo.

More than 10,000 students attend the 34 nationwide campuses around the country. The Nationwide Campuses serve working adults, including military personnel and their families, through evening and online classes.

Columbia College is proud of its Online Campus, which offers more than 600 classes and 19 online degrees. More than 14,000 students take at least one online class at the college each year.

In addition to offering associate and bachelor's degrees, the college also offers master's degrees at the home campus in Columbia, Mo., and at selected extended campuses, as well as online.

Learn more about Columbia College by browsing this Web site, visiting us at one of our campuses or talking to alumni and current students.

Day Campus

  • Located in Columbia, Missouri
  • Intentionally small classes
  • Student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1
  • Experienced faculty, no teaching assistants
  • Home to five varsity Cougar sports in the NAIA Division I
    • Men's Basketball
    • Women's Basketball
    • Men's Soccer
    • Women's Softball
    • Women's Volleyball
  • Three residence halls
  • More than 30 clubs and organizations
  • Serving more than 1,200 students from 15 states and 25 countries

Evening Campus

  • Located in Columbia, Missouri
  • 125 courses offered each session
  • Classes taught in eight-week sessions
  • Five sessions offered each year
  • 25 academic programs
  • Serving nearly 3,000 students each year

Nationwide/Extended Campuses

  • Over 30 Nationwide Campuses around the country
  • 10 of the campuses in Missouri
  • 18 of the campuses on military bases, including one in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
  • Classes taught in eight-week sessions primarily in the evening
  • Five sessions offered each year (August, October, January, March and June)
  • Degrees vary by campus
  • Serving more than 10,000 students each session

Online Campus

  • 600 online courses
  • 19 online degrees
  • Classes taught in eight-week sessions
  • Five sessions offered each year
  • Serving more than 14,000 students each year

Graduate Studies