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I Chose Columbus State

Hear from our students and alumni about why Columbus State is the smart choice.

Every day, students just like you choose Columbus State Community College to help them achieve their goals. Some value our affordable tuition and transfer partnerships. Others are attracted by our career-relevant curriculum and employer connections. Some need the flexibility to juggle work and school, and everyone benefits from our supportive, student-first culture.

Although they come from many different backgrounds, there’s one thing our students have in common: They chose Columbus State to help them achieve the education for the career they want. Employers seek out our graduates to fill high-demand, well-paid jobs in fields such as IT, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, logistics, construction, and STEM. Four-year colleges and universities recruit our transfer students because they’re better-prepared for success. Wherever you look, you’ll find successful CState grads across Central Ohio caring for patients, fueling Columbus’s booming tech industry, manufacturing products essential to daily life, work, health, and safety, solving supply chain problems, and more.

Ready to start your journey at Columbus State? Request information, visit, or apply today.

Affordable Quality. Transferable Credit.

A high-quality education shouldn’t come with a high price tag. At Columbus State, students can access cutting-edge curriculum taught by experienced, dedicated faculty without taking on great debt. We offer the lowest tuition in the region by far, and our grants, scholarships and paid work opportunities bring the overall cost of college down even further. Whether they start at Columbus State and transfer to a four-year school to complete their bachelor’s, or they launch their career with an associate degree, our graduates credit their Columbus State education for equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and experiences they need to thrive in college and in their chosen field.

Brandon | Political Science

Brandon Conkey did the math. After starting at The Ohio State University, Brandon realized he’d need a new plan to get a debt-free degree. He chose Columbus State. With our Preferred Pathway program, Brandon is completing the first two years of his degree (with Columbus State’s low tuition) and transferring seamlessly back to Ohio State. As an honors student and Phi Theta Kappa member here, he also benefits from leadership opportunities that help him qualify for more scholarships when he transfers. Brandon will graduate debt-free this spring and transfer to Ohio State’s John Glenn College of Public Administration. From there: A law degree and a career in public service.

Jonathan | Systems Engineering

Jonathan Kalala is the first in his family to go to college. Our low tuition and ample scholarships made Columbus State an easy choice. Now he sees it was his best choice. The small class sizes and accessible support services helped him navigate a challenging course load. Now he’s headed to Ohio State for his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering.

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Degrees for In-Demand Careers

Jobs requiring a college degree are projected to grow rapidly over the next decade, especially in healthcare and information technology. In fact, eight out of the ten fastest growing occupations require an associate degree or above. In many cases, an industry-recognized certificate will give you enough education and training to get started in a career and continue your education while you work your way up — with employer-funded tuition assistance. Columbus State offers a wide range of two-year degrees and short-term certificates designed to prepare you for the career you want. Our practical, cutting-edge classes are developed with input from the region’s top employers, so you graduate with the skills and knowledge you need to launch a successful career.

Laura | Respiratory Care

Laura Greenawalt started out at a four-year university but transferred to Columbus State for the small class sizes and multigenerational, multicultural learning experience. With a two-year degree, Laura is now caring for those impacted by the pandemic as a respiratory therapist. Respiratory therapists are in very high demand, and these vital healthcare workers earn an average annual salary of $62,810.

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Garrett | Software Developer

After finishing his service in the armed forces, Garrett Braxton chose Columbus State for its career-focused classes. Through a paid apprenticeship, Garrett applied what he was learning in real time, earned a competitive wage while still in college, and graduated with both an associate degree and a job as software engineer at State Auto. The Columbus Region is a hub for IT professionals, with IT jobs projected to grow 13% by 2030.

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Jovita | Supply Chain Management

Working in an entry level supply chain job, Jovita Purqueras found she enjoyed the field and wanted to advance. For her, Columbus State was a convenient and affordable way to level up. She earned her associate degree in supply chain management and advanced her career in this fast-growing field. (Jobs in supply chain management and logistics are projected to grow 30% through 2030.) Now, her new employer is paying for her to continue her education and earn a bachelor’s degree.

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College Built to Fit Your Life

At Columbus State, you get the flexibility and support you need to balance life, work, and school without sacrificing academic excellence or a sense of connection. Our average class size is 20 students, which means you get personal attention from faculty. Our students often combine in-person and online classes for additional flexibility. Since 2017, 80% of our graduates completed one or more online classes on their way to earning a degree. Likewise, our student support services — including tutoring, career services and mentorship, counseling, and help with technology access, food, and other essentials — can be accessed in-person, after normal business hours, and remotely via email, phone or online chat.

Andrea | Construction Management

Andrea McGee had worked as a certified electrician for two decades, but as she puts it, “when you’re in the trades, you have a clock on how long you can do your job.” In Columbus State’s Construction Management program, Andrea found a way to keep working her day job while gaining the skills and experience to run her own construction company.

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Beth | Nurse

After high school, Beth Grabill worked for her family’s construction company. When health challenges forced the company’s closure, Beth wasn’t sure what to do next. At Columbus State, she found instructors who helped her reacclimate to school and find a career she’s passionate about. Faculty understood the challenges she faced as a parent and helped her balance class assignments with her other responsibilities. Grabill went on to earn her nursing degree at Mt. Carmel, and she now cares for cancer patients as an oncology nurse.

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Mary | Construction Management and Welding

When Mary Loy transitioned from the U.S. Marines back to civilian life, she chose Columbus State because of the support and community she found through our Military and Veterans Services Department. Her classes gave her the structure she needed, and her professors helped her discover a career she’s passionate about – Construction Management and Welding. Now, Mary is putting her welding skills to use as an apprentice and welding work-study employee, and finding her niche in a well-paying, high-demand industry that’s shaping Columbus’s skyline.

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Columbus State is the best place to start a college degree or train for a new career. Get started on your path to graduation today!