Admissions requirements

Columbia College is committed to holistic review of applicants and thus, has been and will continue to be test-optional for admission*. Freshman applicants for the Day program at Columbia College who believe their test scores are an accurate reflection of their academic abilities are welcome to submit them for admission consideration. If they choose not to, applicants will be reviewed on GPA, college prep curriculum and/or class rank.**

*Please note test scores may still be required for some academic scholarships.

**International applicants may still be required to submit test scores but we are seeking ways to expand the tests those applicants can use in admission criteria.

Associate and bachelor’s degrees

Columbia College is a community of 20,000 thinkers, doers and risk takers who study on campus, online and at venues across the country. Join us!

Choose how you want to take your classes

Online & evening
Traditional campus, Columbia, MO

Online, evening, nationwide requirements

Students seeking admission to our online program, evening program in Columbia, Missouri, or at a venue nationwide should have completed one of the following:

High school
High school equivalency test (GED, HiSET, TASC)

Admissions process

Apply

Complete the free application for admission.
Apply now
Authenticate your identity

Verify your identity by completing authentication.
Complete the High School Attestation Form

Students are not required to provide proof of high school completion for admission. Instead, students complete one of the High School Attestation Forms* to confirm they have completed high school or a high school equivalency exam (GED, HiSet, TASC).

General Attestation Form Homeschool Attestation Form

Note: Students residing in California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas are not eligible to complete the attestation form for admission. Applicants in these states must provide one of the following to Admissions@CCIS.edu:
- Unofficial high school transcript
- Unofficial college transcript** (at least 6 credit hours)
- GED, HiSET or TASC score
Certain degree programs have additional admissions requirements, and further documentation may be required.

All official transcripts must be provided within 90 days of enrollment. This includes Advanced Placement, CLEP, and DSST credits. Send official transcripts to the Office of the Registrar at EvalTrans@CCIS.edu or by mail: 1001 Rogers St., Columbia, MO 65216.
Get help paying for college

Paying for college on your own is not your only option. Successful college students often qualify for federal financial aid and leverage scholarship opportunities.

To find out if you’re eligible for financial aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Traditional campus requirements

Incoming freshmen at the traditional campus should have:

2.5 or higher high school GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or comparable GED or HiSET score*

Plus one of the following:

21 or higher on the ACT or 1070 or higher on the SAT
Rank in the top 50 percent of your graduating class
Have successfully completed 12 units of college preparatory work with a grade of “C” or higher

Complete your application for admission

Send one of the following to the Office of the Registrar at 1001 Rogers St., Columbia, MO 65216 or your local venue (if applicable):

2.5 or higher high school GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or comparable GED or HiSET score*

Plus one of the following:

Unofficial high school transcript*
Unofficial college transcript* (at least 6 credit hours)
GED, HiSET or TASC score

*All official transcripts must be provided within 90 days of enrollment

Questions?

We'll make it easy to apply. If you need help at any point, do not hesitate to contact us.

Email: admissions@ccis.edu

Phone: (800) 231-2391, ext. 7352

Apply now Learn more about our traditional campus in Columbia, MO.

Other requirements

Students who meet any of the following may have additional requirements.

Transferring more than 6 credit hours?

Submit separate transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended to EvalTrans@CCIS.edu or
Columbia College Office of the Registrar—Evaluations,
1001 Rogers St.,
Columbia, MO 65216
Students transferring to the traditional campus in Columbia, Missouri, should have a cumulative GPA of 2.0

Taking a course/courses but not pursuing a degree?

If you want to enroll in a class that requires a prerequisite course, you may be asked to submit college transcripts showing you’ve successfully completed the prerequisite
Students who enroll in 12 or more hours on the traditional campus will be considered full-time. Enrolling as a non-degree student does not negate he residence hall requirement.

Returning to Columbia College after six-sessions or longer break?

Submit transcripts from any college attended after Columbia College
Contact the admissions office to see whether you must re-submit transcripts from previous years of study
Returning students will be automatically assigned to the current catalog year. You may choose to use your previous catalog year if it with the past eight years

International student?

In addition to our traditional campus in Columbia, Missouri, international students requiring an F-1 student visa are also able to apply to one of the following locations:

Denver, Colorado
Salt Lake City, Utah
Elgin, Illinois (upper-level transfer students)

Online students must study outside of the United States.

International admissions

Demonstrate English proficiency
Submit documentation to receive form I-20

See international admissions requirements.

Submit your FAFSA

To find out if you are eligible for financial aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Use Columbia College school code 002456

Submit FAFSA

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