Columbus, GA · Clery Act 2023 · Public

Columbus State University

According to the U.S. Department of Education's Clery Act filings, this profile covers campus safety, crime statistics, fire-safety data, and peer comparison for this 7,610-student campus.

4.60
Incidents / 1k students
#2,534
Rank of 3,050
#74
GA rank
7,610
Enrolled students

Data updated June 2026

The verdict

Columbus State University reports 4.60 on-campus Clery incidents per 1,000 enrolled students, ranking #2,534 of 3,050 ranked U.S. campuses - with more reported incidents than 85% of ranked campuses its size.

4.60
incidents / 1,000 students
#2,534
of 3,050 ranked nationally
85%
report fewer incidents than this campus
27
on-campus incidents, 2023

Safety score = reported on-campus Clery incidents per 1,000 enrolled students (lower is safer).

Reporting-period change

What changed in 2023

+14 reported incidents

Columbus State University increased from 13 to 27 reported on-campus incidents between the 2022 and 2023 reporting years in the U.S. Department of Education OPE Campus Safety Survey.

This is a change in reported incidents, not a measure of individual safety. Enrollment, reporting practice, and category coverage can affect the count.

See national reporting-year changes

Columbus State University is a Public institution located in Columbus, GA, enrolling approximately 7,610 students. Clery Act data spanning 2021–2023 records 69 total on-campus incidents across all reported crime categories. Within GA, it ranks #74 by safety score. Verify with the U.S. Department of Education Clery Act database →

With 7,610 enrolled students, this campus sits in the mid-sized institution bracket, which shapes how raw incident counts should be interpreted.

The most frequently reported category at Columbus State University is "Aggravated Assault" with 17 cumulative incidents across the reporting window. Compared to 5 peer institutions of similar enrollment size in GA averaging 1.47 incidents per 1,000 students, Columbus State University reports 212% more incidents per student.

Fire safety data covers 1 reporting year for on-campus residential facilities, logging 0 total fires. Arrests and disciplinary actions span 18 category-year records, covering liquor law violations, drug law violations, and weapons possession on-campus. No Department of Education Clery Act enforcement actions are recorded against this institution.

Safety Score

4.60 /1K students

incidents per 1,000 enrolled

National Rank

#2534

See peer comparison

State Rank (GA)

#74

within state peers

Incidents (2023)

27

across 11 crime categories

Where Columbus State University sits among ranked U.S. campuses

On-campus Clery incidents per 1,000 students, every ranked campus with 2,000+ students

5 safer than 15% of 1,807 ranked campuses

0–1: 874 ranked campuses (48%). Below this entry. 1–2: 281 ranked campuses (16%). Below this entry. 2–3: 186 ranked campuses (10%). Below this entry. 3–4: 135 ranked campuses (7%). Below this entry. 4–5: 84 ranked campuses (5%). This entry sits in this band. 5–6: 71 ranked campuses (4%). Above this entry. 6–7: 36 ranked campuses (2%). Above this entry. 7–8: 37 ranked campuses (2%). Above this entry. 8–9: 103 ranked campuses (6%). Above this entry. This campus 0 9 every ranked campus, bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more ranked campuses. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Department of Education, Campus Safety & Security Survey (Clery Act) · 2023

Safety percentile vs. peers

Columbus State University percentile rank 16.9%
National median

Higher percentile = safer than more peers. Rank #2534 out of 3,050 ranked institutions (enrollment >= 500) in the OPE Campus Safety Survey.

Reporting density vs peer median

Columbus State University reports 212% more incidents per student than the median of 5 peer institutions.

Academic & Financial Profile

Tuition & Costs

In-State Tuition
$5,898
Out-of-State Tuition
$17,610
Avg Net Price
$13,115
Median Debt
$26,000
Pell Grant Recipients
45%
How does this cost rank in GA? →

Admissions

Acceptance Rate
99%
SAT Average
977
SAT Math Range
360–530
ACT Average
21
ACT Range
16–22

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate
42%
Retention Rate
70%
Median Earnings (6yr)
$39,190
Median Earnings (10yr)
$44,544
Loan Repayment (3yr)
51%

Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard. Methodology.

Crime Statistics by Year

11 categories 3 reporting years on-campus only

Columbus State University: on-campus incidents by year

Declining 7% (29 → 27 incidents)

101520253035 202120222023 29 27 ▼ -6.9%
Crime Type 202320222021
Aggravated Assault 7010
Arson 100
Burglary 357
Fondling 541
Incest 000
Motor Vehicle Theft 714
Murder / Non-Negligent Manslaughter 100
Negligent Manslaughter 000
Rape 337
Robbery 000
Statutory Rape 000

Source: US Dept US Dept of Education OPE Campus Safety Survey. Figures show on-campus incidents

Fire Safety

Year Fires Inj. Deaths Cat I Cat II
2023 0 0 0 0 0

Arrests & Disciplinary Actions

18 category-year records
Disposition26%47%27%ArrestsDisciplinary referralsNo action
18 reported records
Category Year Arrests Discipline
Drugs 2023 1 19
Drugs 2023 2 33
Liquor 2023 0 13
Liquor 2023 0 22
Weapons 2023 1 0
Weapons 2023 2 1
Drugs 2022 2 16
Drugs 2022 2 73
Liquor 2022 0 5
Liquor 2022 0 56
Weapons 2022 0 0
Weapons 2022 1 1
Drugs 2021 0 17
Drugs 2021 5 33
Liquor 2021 0 3
Liquor 2021 0 20
Weapons 2021 0 0
Weapons 2021 3 0

Columbus State University vs peer institutions

Side-by-side safety scores for 3 peers of similar enrollment

Scores are incidents per 1,000 enrolled students (lower is fewer).

Selected

GA

Columbus State University

4.60 incidents / 1,000 students
National rank
#2,534
Enrollment
7,610
Data year
2023

MO

Webster University

4.08 incidents / 1,000 students
National rank
#2,470
Enrollment
7,606
Data year
2023

Similar Institutions

Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus
Teaneck, NJ · 7,607 enrolled
Safety Score 0.92
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO · 7,606 enrolled
Safety Score 4.08
Erie Community College
Buffalo, NY · 7,618 enrolled
Safety Score 0.26
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, CO · 7,599 enrolled
Safety Score 1.84
Schoolcraft Community College District
Livonia, MI · 7,596 enrolled
Safety Score 0.26

Closest by National Rank

Institutions ranked nearest Columbus State University nationally (rank #2534), regardless of size or state.

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV
National Rank #2533
Oglethorpe University
Atlanta, GA
National Rank #2535
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL
National Rank #2532
Creighton University
Omaha, NE
National Rank #2536
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
National Rank #2531

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Columbus State University safe?
Columbus State University has a safety score of 4.60 (total on-campus incidents per 1,000 enrolled students) and ranks #2,534 nationally out of 3,050+ ranked institutions. Compare this with peer institutions for context.
What crimes are reported at Columbus State University?
Aggravated Assault, Arson, Burglary, Fondling, Incest, and other categories, for calendar year 2023.
How does Columbus State University compare to similar schools?
See the Similar Institutions section below for peers of similar enrollment in GA.
Does Columbus State University have fire safety data?
Yes. Columbus State University reports fire safety data for on-campus residential facilities, including total fires, injuries, deaths, and fire damage categories. No fires were reported in the most recent year.

Understanding Columbus State University's Safety Profile

Columbus State University in Columbus, GA enrolls 7,610 students and has a safety score of 4.60 incidents per 1,000 enrolled students , ranking #2534 nationally.

Reported incidents cover 2021 to 2023. On-campus incidents increased from 13 in 2022 to 27 in 2023.

Fire safety data covers on-campus residential facilities. No fires were reported in the most recent year, indicating effective fire prevention measures.

What this means for you

Columbus State University's 4.60 reported on-campus incidents per 1,000 students is a starting point for comparison, not a verdict on any student's safety.

Figures reflect the 2023 Clery Act reporting year as filed with the U.S. Department of Education.

Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education, OPE Campus Safety & Security Survey (Clery Act). See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCampus Editorial

Every figure on PlainCampus is rendered directly from federal Clery Act source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal Clery Act source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.

PlainCampus is for informational purposes only and does not constitute safety, security, legal, or enrollment advice; the data describes reported on-campus activity, it is not a complete picture of safety at any campus and cannot predict any individual student's experience. See our appropriate use guidance.