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Awards

Home — — Awards

Columbia College continually receives national recognition, often being named a top college for affordability and quality for its online, traditional and custom degree programs. These national college awards reflect our ongoing commitment to student success.

Military-Friendly School: Gold

Military Friendly School 2024-2025 Award Military Friendly® again ranked Columbia College as a Gold Military Friendly School for 2024-2025. Military Friendly® evaluates institutions for commitment to the military community. Columbia College exceeded standards in admissions, culture, financial aid assistance, graduation, career services, and support and retention among military students.

Top Online Military-Friendly Institution 2024

Top Online Military-Friendly Institution 2024 by OnlineU Columbia College was rated a top online military-friendly institution in 2024 by OnlineU, a leading higher education researcher and publisher whose mission is to help students accomplish their goals by finding online degree programs with the best value. CC was recognized for granting credit hours for previous military experience; enrolling more than 2,100 students with GI Bill benefits; maintaining a fresh online presence related to educational opportunities for veterans and service members; and providing specialized support services through the Ousley Family Veterans Service Center.

Third Most Secure Campus in the U.S.

ASecureLife.com 2019 Most Secure College Campus Award Columbia College was ranked the third most secure campus in the country, according to ASecureLife.com. The company analyzed 10 years worth of crime data from colleges in the U.S. to compile the Top 10 list in 2019. The ranking took into consideration property crimes, as well as safety protocols in place on campus.

Military Times “Best for Vets: Colleges 2023” List

Military Times “Best for Vets: Colleges 2023 badge These annual rankings were based on accreditation, graduation rates, veterans staff, transfer credit policies, academic support and participation in the Yellow Ribbon program. The "Best for Vets" ranking reflects our commitment to providing excellent educational opportunities and service to our veterans.

Online Programs Among Nation’s Best

U.S. News and World Report Best Online Programs 2019 Award
U.S. News and World Report Best Online Programs - Bachelor's Award 2019

Columbia College’s online bachelor’s degree programs were recognized among the nation’s 2018 Best Online Bachelor's Programs. We were also among the 2019 Best Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report.

Recognition was based on teaching practices and student engagement; faculty credentials and training; and student services and technology.

“Best Buy”

GetEducated.com Best Buy Stamps

GetEducated.com, a respected clearinghouse of accredited online programs, designated Columbia College as a "Best Buy" for several online degrees. The online bachelor's in business, criminal justice, human services, psychology and sociology were ranked in the top 10 best buys. The master’s degrees in business and criminal justice ranked in the top 10 best buys for their respective categories. They also designated the college as a “Best Online College” in affordability for undergraduate psychology students.  

Top School for Military and Veteran Education

Military Advanced Education and Transition Top Colleges and Universities Award 2018 Military Advanced Education is a publication that focuses on educational services and opportunities for military students. The publication awarded Columbia College the designation of a Top School in its 2018 Guide to Colleges & Universities. The Guide evaluates schools on their military culture, financial aid, flexibility, on-campus support and online support services. It provides students information about institutions that go out of their way to assist service men and women. Schools that attain the Top School designation are recognized for following best practices in military and veteran education.

Statewide and National Safest Campus

College Choice Safest Large Universities in the United States Award

The Safest Campus in Missouri award was granted to Columbia College by backgroundchecks.com. The organization gave Columbia College the top spot in its statewide 2016 ranking after comparing campus crime rates. The comparison is based on the number of crimes per 1,000 residents. It also considers other information from the U.S. Department of Education’s annual reports.

Nationally, Columbia College was awarded fifth safest campus in America, according to College Choice’s 2016 Safest Large Colleges and Universities in America ranking. The College was judged on Columbia city’s crime rates, as well as campus crime rates. Information was used from the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. News and World Report, and individual school websites. The College earned a superior safety score of 98.18 that factors in anti-discrimination, women's safety, the party scene, and fire safety grades.

“College of Distinction”

Missouri Colleges of Distinction Award

Columbia College is named a "College of Distinction" by Student Horizons, Inc. It is one of 250 higher educational institutions in the U.S. and six in Missouri to receive this honor. Student Horizons seeks to go beyond commercially driven rankings and focus on the quality of education students receive.

Colleges are recognized for their commitment and performance of the “Four Distinctions:” engaged students, great teaching, vibrant communities and successful outcomes. The selection process involves reviewing faculty/student ratios, average class size, the first-year experience and general education curriculum. It also includes experiential elements in the curriculum, residential and extra-curricular activities and the school’s strategic plan.

Second Best Online College in Missouri

Best Online Colleges in Missouri award from Value Colleges. Value Colleges listed Columbia College as the No. 2 school in Missouri for online programs in 2020. The organization looked at the number of degrees offered entirely online, the variety of majors and the flexibility of coursework. Columbia College was specifically credited for also providing assistance to military students and veterans.

One of the Top 25 Most Affordable Online RN to BSN Nursing Programs

One of the Top 25 Most Affordable Online RN to BSN Nursing Programs Value Colleges ranked Columbia College as one of the Top 25 Most Affordable Online RN to BSN Nursing Programs for 2020. The organization only looked at accredited, reputable institutions, ranking according to their tuition cost. Columbia College was specifically credited for also providing an exclusively online nursing degree that has received CCNE accreditation.

Second Best School for RN Programs in Missouri

RegisteredNursing.org Top Ranked Nursing Schools Award 2019 RegisteredNursing.org recently ranked Columbia College as the second best school for RN programs in Missouri, based on analysis of the NCLEX-RN pass rates of 54 schools.

because a future built by you is a future built for you.

Too many people have been made to feel that higher education isn’t a place for them— that it is someone else’s dream. But we change all that. With individualized attention and ongoing support, we help you write a new story for the future where you play the starring role.

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