Ohio's most diverse community college with 250+ programs and open admissions for all.
Columbus State offers over 250 programs across eight career and academic pathways: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences; Biological, Physical & Mathematical Sciences; Business & Hospitality Services; Computer Science, Information Technology & Design; Construction & Skilled Trades; Education, Human Services & Public Safety; Health Sciences; and Engineering, Manufacturing & Engineering Technology. Students can earn two-year associate degrees, short-term certificates, or complete transfer degrees to four-year universities. The college emphasizes experiential learning through partnerships with local employers, including paid apprenticeships in IT and manufacturing, internships, and service-learning opportunities.
The 70-acre Columbus campus near downtown consists of 26 buildings on the former site of Aquinas College High School. The Delaware campus, opened in 2010, accommodates approximately 3,000 students and operates in partnership with Ohio State University. Six additional off-campus centers serve suburban neighborhoods including Dublin, Westerville, Marysville, Grove City, Reynoldsburg, and southwest Columbus. Student life includes 30+ clubs and organizations, a literary magazine called Spring Street, and NJCAA Division II athletics with four varsity sports (volleyball, golf, basketball, and one additional sport).
Columbus State maintains an open admissions policy, making it the only college in Central Ohio with this commitment. The college uses a five-step Get Started Guide for new students: application, financial aid, placement testing, orientation, and registration. Placement assessments determine appropriate starting courses in math, reading, and writing. The college also offers College Credit Plus (dual credit) for high school students and accepts transfer students. Applications are submitted through the Workday system, with confirmation emails sent within 2–3 business days.
Nearly half of the college's largest graduating class (1,400 students) entered in-demand fields in Central Ohio. Columbus State leads the Central Ohio Compact, a regional workforce development initiative funded by a $2.5 million JPMorgan Chase investment, aiming for 65% of Central Ohioans to hold a postsecondary degree or certificate by 2025. In 2023, Ohio Health committed $25 million as part of a $120 million investment to increase healthcare professionals trained at the college. Notable alumni include restaurant owners, judges, and entertainment industry professionals.