About Columbia College
Columbia College is a private, four–year liberal arts and sciences institution located in Columbia, Mo. The college was founded in 1851 as Christian Female College, but was renamed Columbia College in 1970 when it opened its doors to both women and men. Columbia College offers students an ideal blend of small-campus charm combined with the sophistication that comes from living in a culturally diverse community. The city of Columbia is home to more than 30,000 students at three separate colleges or universities.
With a total population of more than 120,000, including students, Columbia offers the amenities of a large city while preserving the comforts of a smaller community. National magazines consistently rank Columbia as a top city in which to live based on excellent safety, high–quality health care, educational facilities, cultural opportunities and cost of living.
Columbia College is located in the downtown
area, which is alive with culture, commerce and
numerous entertainment options. Adjacent to
the campus, you will find small city blocks lined
with unique shops, superb restaurants and bistros,
galleries, comedy clubs, concert halls, dance clubs
and theaters. Columbia is populated by outdoor
enthusiasts, and the city offers a number of parks
and trails for walking, jogging, biking or just
enjoying nature.
Columbia is conveniently located in the center of
Missouri: the “heartland” of the United States.
Halfway between the world–class cities of
St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo., and all that those
cities have to offer, Columbia is slightly less than
a two–hour drive from either location. Both cities
have international airports and shuttle services to
Columbia, making the trip to Columbia College
an easy one for international travelers.