How Many Columbia Colleges are There?

So, you are online researching the school at the top of your college list — Columbia University. But then it seems to be an entirely different institution from the one you have in mind, such as it’s located in a different state or it doesn’t have the college ranking of your expectation.

Just how many Columbia Colleges are there exactly?

There are probably close to 50 different Columbia Colleges in the US. One of them, whose main campus is in Columbia, Missouri, has 30 branches across the land. Outside the country, there are also a few Columbia Colleges, such as those located in New Zealand as well as in Calgary and Alberta, Canada.

If you are curious as to what the different Columbia Colleges are like, don’t stop reading now — this post is all about some of the most important things you need to know about these learning institutions.

Please keep in mind that we can talk about only a few Columbia Colleges in this post since there are lots and lots of them around.

But before anything else, let’s answer this pressing question…

columbia university

Columbia University vs. Columbia College: What’s the Difference?

Columbia University, which is officially known as Columbia University in the City of New York, is an Ivy League school. Meanwhile, Columbia College is a college at Columbia University. Columbia College is a liberal arts college and is considered the oldest undergraduate college at Columbia University.

When Columbia University was established in 1754, it was called King’s College.

King’s College was located in a room in a schoolhouse at Trinity Church in Manhattan. The first class consisted of eight students and a single faculty member, who, coincidentally, was also the college’s first president.

But because of the Revolutionary War, King’s College had to suspend its classes and close altogether in 1776 — it was used as a military hospital.

In 1974, King’s College reopened. However, it was renamed Columbia College as it was chartered that way by the New York State Legislature. Three years later, another charter was issued, which established Columbia College in New York City. It was renamed Columbia University, with its undergraduate college retaining the name Columbia College.

Columbia University

Columbia College of Columbia University

Is it a good school?

Based on college rankings, Columbia College is a good school. For instance, it’s #2 in National Universities by US News. Meanwhile, it’s #19 in the QS World University Rankings. But it’s important to note that various college ranking sites rank Columbia College and Columbia University as a singular institution of higher education.

Is It an Ivy League?

Being an important part of Columbia University, which is an Ivy League, Columbia College can be considered an Ivy League school. It carries the same prestige and respect as Columbia University. First-time, first-year undergraduate students who attend Columbia College are also attending an Ivy League school since it’s at Columbia University.

What is Columbia College famous for?

Columbia College is known for being one of the most premier liberal arts colleges on the face of the planet. One of the best things about Columbia College is that it has all the perks of a small liberal arts college with a single intensive core curriculum while offering all the benefits of a large institution in the form of Columbia University.

Is it hard to get into?

The acceptance rate at Columbia College is the same acceptance rate at Columbia University, which is 7% only. An acceptance rate that low makes Columbia College a highly selective school. As a matter of fact, Columbia College is the #1 in the state of New York and #8 in the US for lowest acceptance rate.

Minimum GPA Required for Admission

Although Columbia College has no published minimum GPA requirement applicants should meet in order for their applications to be considered, the general consensus is that it’s a good idea to have a high school GPA of 3.91 at least. Columbia College has a holistic admissions policy, which means it considers not only the GPA.

Columbia College Chicago

Columbia College Chicago

Is it a good school?

US News ranks Columbia College Chicago #88 in Regional Universities Midwest. The popular college ranking site also ranks it #16 in Most Innovative Schools. Meanwhile, Niche ranks it #10 in Most Liberal Colleges in Illinois. Based on college ranking alone, it would seem like Columbia College Chicago is a good school.

Is It an Ivy League?

Columbia College Chicago is not an Ivy League school. Some college-bound kids make the mistake of thinking it’s one and the same with Columbia University, which is an Ivy League, especially when the location is omitted. When Columbia College Chicago was established in 1890, it was called the Columbia School of Oratory.

What is Columbia College Chicago famous for?

A mid-sized private non-profit institution located in the heart of the Cultural Mile, which is one of the richest cultural, commercial and educational districts in the Windy City, Columbia College Chicago is known for offering a curriculum that blends business, liberal arts, and creative and media arts.

Is it hard to get into?

Getting into Columbia College Chicago is not that hard. As a matter of fact, it can easily serve as a dream school for college-bound teenagers since it has a high 90% acceptance rate. Provided that applicants meet the minimum application requirements, it’s almost certain that they will get an acceptance letter from Columbia College Chicago.

Minimum GPA Required for Admission

At Columbia College Chicago, there is no minimum high school GPA requirement freshman applicants must meet. As a matter of fact, on its website, the Chicago, Illinois-based institution says that applicants should simply ask their respective high schools to send the most recent or final transcript. An admissions essay is also required.

Columbia California

Columbia College California

Is it a good school?

Columbia College California, which is a community college located in Sonora, California, doesn’t seem to have any ranking by some of the most well-known college rankers. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a bad school. When figuring out whether or not Columbia College California is a good school, applicants must consider various personal factors.

Is It an Ivy League?

Despite having a name similar to an undergraduate college of an Ivy League school, particularly if the campus’ location is excluded, it would seem like Columbia College California is one of the most elite institutions in the land. As mentioned earlier, however, it’s a small community college with only a little more than 2,000 attendees.

What is Columbia College California famous for?

Established in 1968 as Columbia Junior College, Columbia College California offers various two-year degree programs. So, in other words, it confers associate degrees. Some of the most popular degree programs at Columbia College California are liberal arts and humanities, culinary services and fire prevention and safety technician.

Is it hard to get into?

For as long as applicants meet the minimum application requirements, it’s very much likely for them to gain admission to Columbia College California. That’s because the Sonora, California-based community college has an open admissions policy, which makes working on associate degrees trouble-free for degree-seeking students.

Minimum GPA Required for Admission

Just like many colleges and universities, there is no published minimum high school GPA for those who are interested in applying to Columbia College California. However, the institution’s website says that requirements for admission vary based on the high school attended and the program applying to. It adds that applicants must be at least 15 years old.

Columbia in Florida

Columbia College Florida

Is it a good school?

Columbia College Florida is #3 in Most Military Friendly College in the US ranking by Military Friendly. Needless to say, based solely on this ranking, the institution, which offers associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, is good for military students. It’s also a good school for working adults as it offers night and online classes, too.

Is It an Ivy League?

With the location omitted, it would appear as though Columbia College Florida is one and the same with Columbia University’s undergraduate college. However, it’s an entirely different institution, which makes it a non-Ivy League. Instead, the school is a private, non-profit liberal arts and sciences college with four campuses located in Florida.

What is Columbia College Florida famous for?

One of the things that Columbia College Florida is well-known for is that it offers various online degree programs ideal for veterans and active service members as well as working adults who do not have the time or means to earn a college degree in the traditional manner. Online classes at Columbia College Florida typically come in six- and eight-week sessions.

Is it hard to get into?

Columbia College Florida has an open admissions policy, which means that all applicants get accepted for as long as the minimum requirements are met. It’s easier to get accepted to Columbia College Florida’s online degree programs as the only requirement is a high school diploma or an equivalent such as a GED certificate.

Minimum GPA Required for Admission

Applicants who are interested in attending one of Columbia College Florida’s physical campuses — Jacksonville, Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jacksonville), Orlando and Tavares — must have a minimum high school GPA of at least 3.0. They should also rank in the top 50% of their graduating high school class.

Columbia, Missouri

Columbia College Missouri

Is it a good school?

US News ranks Columbia College Missouri #119 to 157 in Regional Universities Midwest and #156 in Top Performers on Social Mobility. The go-to college ranking site of many college list-building high schoolers also ranks Columbia College Missouri’s nursing degree program #388 in Nursing.

Is It an Ivy League?

Although it has a name that’s similar to Columbia University’s very own Columbia College, Columbia College Missouri is not an Ivy League school. Likewise, none of the more than 30 campuses across 15 states of the Columbia, Missouri-based private learning institution is an Ivy League.

What is Columbia College Missouri famous for?

Columbia University Missouri is known to offer both traditional and online degrees. While it caters to various types of students, it offers online degree programs with flexible schedules that are obviously designed in order to make a college degree more accessible and practical to working adults and veterans.

Is it hard to get into?

Gaining admission to Columbia College Missouri is rather easy, thanks to its open admissions policy. This means that just about anyone who has a high school diploma or something similar to it and meets the minimum requirements may receive an offer to enroll in any of the 14 associate degrees and over 40 bachelor’s degrees available.

Minimum GPA Required for Admission

Based on Columbia College Missouri’s website, it would seem like online applicants do not need to have a minimum GPA. All they have to do is submit a standard high school diploma or a high school equivalency test — GED, HiSET or TASC. Meanwhile, those who plan on attending its main campus must have a 3.0 or higher high school GPA.

Columbia, SC

Columbia College South Carolina

Is it a good school?

Columbia College South Carolina has a handful of US News rankings. For instance, the popular college ranking site ranks the institution #4 in Top Performers on Social Mobility, #19 in Best Value Schools and #40 in Regional Universities South. For some college-bound teens, this can make Columbia College South Carolina worthy of being shortlisted.

Is It an Ivy League?

Despite having a name that sounds Ivy League, Columbia College South Carolina is not one of the eight Ivy Leagues. Instead, it’s a private liberal arts college in a bustling city, Columbia. Although Columbia College South Carolina is not an Ivy League, it takes pride in the fact that 97% of its graduates are employed or in graduate schools within six months.

What is Columbia College South Carolina famous for?

One of the things Columbia College South Carolina is known for is that it’s affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It was originally founded as a women’s liberal arts college in 1854. However, it became co-ed in 2021. Some of the most popular majors at Columbia College South Carolina include business, education and psychology.

Is it hard to get into?

Getting into Columbia College South Carolina isn’t that difficult. That’s because it has a high acceptance rate of 97%, which means that almost all students who apply end up getting an acceptance letter. Another thing that helps make attending Columbia College South Carolina easy is the fact that it has a rolling admissions policy.

Minimum GPA Required for Admission

There is no known minimum high school GPA applicants should meet in order to get accepted to Columbia College South Carolina. Based on available data, 22% of first-time, first-year students admitted to the school have GPAs of 4.0. Meanwhile, 18% are in the 3.75 to 3.99 GPA range, while 13% are in the 3.50 to 3.74 GPA range.

Columbia College Centreville

Is it a good school?

Searching online, it would appear that Columbia College Centreville has been given no ranking by some of the most popular college ranking sites such as US News and Niche. However, one college ranker, which is College Evaluator, ranks the Centreville, Virginia-based school #168 in Best Top Art, Music and Design Schools.

Is It an Ivy League?

Columbia College Centreville is not an Ivy League school. It’s not uncommon for Ivy League schools as well as those with Ivy League-like statuses to have large student bodies. Columbia College Centreville, meanwhile, has a very small population. As a matter of fact, according to a US News report, it has only more than 350 attendees.

What is Columbia College Centreville famous for?

Being a small private for-profit learning institution is one of the things that Columbia College Centreville is known for. While it has a physical campus, it also operates online. The school, however, offers only one online program. Despite this, approximately 78% of its students complete their programs purely online.

Is it hard to get into?

Getting an offer to attend Columbia College Centreville is not at all that difficult. It’s for the fact that it has an open admissions policy. In addition, the small institution with a suburban campus accepts applications all year round — applicants do not have to beat hard deadlines. So, in other words, Columbia College Centreville has rolling admissions.

Minimum GPA Required for Admission

Like many colleges and universities, students who are interested in applying to Columbia College Centreville need not meet a minimum GPA requirement. Being an institution with an open admissions policy, just about anyone with a high school diploma, a GED certificate or something similar may send an application to the private for-profit school.

Just Before You Apply to a Certain Columbia College

When applying to Columbia College, make sure that it’s the right Columbia College. Whether it’s Columbia College (the undergraduate college of Columbia University, which, as everyone knows, is one of the Ivy Leagues) or something else, it’s important to apply to the correct one, especially if you have a particular degree program or college life in mind.


Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the College Reality Check.

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