Tuition & Fees
At $5,488 a year for a full-time student, Columbus State offers the lowest tuition in the region. Students who start here and transfer can save as much as 40-60% on the total cost of a bachelor’s degree. The College is also committed to helping students achieve their educational goals with financial aid and flexible payment options.
Affordable Tuition
$182.93
Cost per credit hour for Ohio residents is $182.93.
$5,488
Approximate cost of the 2024 academic year for a full-time Ohio student. (Represents 30 enrolled credit hours.)
Tuition Rates
Autumn 2024 - Spring 2025 Instructional + General Fee Per Credit Hour Chart
Ohio Residents
The Ohio resident credit hour fee of $182.93 is comprised of a $162.43 instructional fee and a $20.50 general fee. The general fee defrays the cost of registration, student activities services, and student support services of a non-instructional nature.
Non-Ohio, U.S. Residents
The non-Ohio, U.S. resident credit hour fee of $374.14 is comprised of a $343.14 instructional fee and a $31.00 general fee.
International Students
The international student credit hour fee of $443.89 is comprised of a $405.39 instructional fee and a $38.50 general fee.
Comprehensive Academic Fee Information
Financial Aid
At Columbus State, we're dedicated to helping students navigate financial aid options, including grants, loans, scholarships and federal work study. Learn more about applying for financial aid.
Tuition Payment Options
Once you have registered for classes, you can view your tuition and fees balance on Self-Service by clicking on "Student Finance." Payment in full, including sponsor vouchers if applicable, may be made at any time prior to the fee payment deadline.
You may pay partial fees, rather than the full amount, up until the fee payment deadline. For more information, visit the Partial Payment FAQ. All fees must be paid in full by the fee payment deadline. For courses registered after the fee payment deadline, fees should be paid the day of registration.
The Extended Payment Plan allows students to pay part of the total tuition balance in small increments over a specific period of time past the fee payment deadline. Only students in good financial standing with the College and enrolled for the current semester are eligible to participate. Visit the Extended Payment FAQ for additional information.
The Payment Deferral Option allows students to pay a payment deferral option charge of $115 by the fee payment deadline and pay the total tuition and fees balance due by a later date in the term. The tuition and fees balance can be paid in one payment or in increments, there is not a fixed payment schedule or required minimum payment.
This program is only open to students whose employers have tuition sponsorship agreements with Columbus State.
Some students receive vouchers or payments from a sponsoring company, agency or department. If a third party is paying your fees, register early and initiate the paperwork for your voucher or payment with your sponsor as early as possible. Payments must be received, not postmarked, by the Fee Payment Deadline.
International students may wire money using a service called Flywire.
Is Columbus State Community College free?
No, Columbus State is not free exactly, but our tuition is among the lowest in the region. In fact, about 76% of our students take on zero college debt. Our tuition is about $5,488 a year for a full-time student.
- Many students can completely cover a year at Columbus State with financial aid and scholarships. Columbus Public Schools grads should check out the Columbus Promise scholarship.