Let's change the college debt conversation.

If you could pay 40-60% less for a house, car or any big-ticket item, you wouldn't hesitate. College is one of the biggest investments most people will ever make. Maximize your investment and minimize the cost of getting a bachelor's degree by starting at Columbus State.

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Crushing College Debt.

Today's bachelor's degree grads leave college with an average student loan debt of $37,853.

That's up more than 315% since 2000.

More Debt Facts

  • $12,000
  • $37,853
  • 2000
  • 2008
  • 2016
  • 2024
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20 years
It may take borrowers close to 20 years to pay off their student loans. Tweet this
Up to $299
The average monthly payment among student loan holders is between $200 and $299. Tweet this
$1.67 trillion
The majority of students (69%) borrow for college, making our national student loan debt over $1.67 trillion. Tweet this
4.2 million in default
About 8.15 percent of borrowers are in default at any given time. Tweet this
90%
Almost all student loan borrowers (90%) say that debt delays major life milestones. Tweet this
71%
Student loan debt means delaying purchasing a home for 71% of graduates, with 40% moving back in with family. Tweet this
Student loans = delaying milestones
56% of student loan borrowers delay starting a family. Tweet this

50% of student loan borrowers delay saving for retirement. Tweet this
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The New College Equation: The degree MINUS the debt.

Transfer programs with four-year universities who share our commitment to keeping college affordable gives today's students more ways to earn a debt-free bachelor's degree.

How it adds up

The cost to earn a bachelor's degree:
$71,288
2 years at Columbus State + 2 years at public university (tuition and books)
$120,624
Ohio public university average (tuition, room and board)
$198,852
Ohio private university average (tuition, room and board)
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Why pay more for the exact same degree? Starting at Columbus State lets you save up to 60% off the cost of a bachelor's degree at the university you choose. Same degree. Same alma mater. Dramatically reduced costs.

There's more than one path to a debt-free bachelor's degree.

In addition to our low tuition (the lowest in the region by far!), Columbus State has more ways to further reduce the final cost of a bachelor's degree, including our College Credit Plus Program and Preferred Pathway partnerships.

No matter where you are on your educational journey, we can put you on the path to a debt-free college degree.

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What is College Credit Plus?

High schoolers can save money and get a head start on college with College Credit Plus classes at Columbus State. These classes are available on-site at the student's high school, on Columbus State's campus or online. They are tuition-free for students and their families, satisfy high school requirements, and earn college credit.

Find out more

Every semester taken through our College Credit Plus Program while still in high school could save as much as:
$2,668
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What is the Preferred Pathway program?

After earning an associate degree at Columbus State, students transfer seamlessly to one of our nine partner universities with guaranteed acceptance and transfer of every credit toward their bachelor's degree.

View all University Partners
Find out more

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Students can choose from hundreds of majors offered through our Preferred Pathway partners. Click on each school's logo to explore programs and learn more about what they offer Preferred Pathway students.

Get the degree – without the debt.

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