Best Online Business Administration Programs in Columbia, SC (2026)
Columbia, South Carolina has a population of about 138,019. The city’s median household income is $55,653 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 46.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited business administration programs within 100 miles of Columbia, with tuition ranging from $5,715 to $13,295 per year. In the Columbia, SC metro area, the top-earning business administration-related role is Administrative Services Manager at a median $128,070 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Business Administration Schools to Columbia
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer business administration programs. Distances are calculated from Columbia city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benedict College | Columbia, SC | 6.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Columbia College | Columbia, SC | 7.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | Columbia, SC | 7.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Carolina Technical College | Sumter, SC | 31.4 mi | $5,715 - $13,295 | – |
| Morris College | Sumter, SC | 32.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Carolina schools on the South Carolina business administration page.
Business Administration Wages Near Columbia
Columbia is part of the Columbia, SC metro area (BLS area code 17900). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to South Carolina statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Manager | $97,300 | Columbia, SC | $103,842 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $128,070 | Columbia, SC | $136,681 |
| Financial Manager | $113,390 | Columbia, SC | $121,014 |
| Human Resources Manager | $104,990 | Columbia, SC | $112,049 |
| Management Analyst | $82,610 | Columbia, SC | $88,164 |
| Project Management Specialist | $85,580 | Columbia, SC | $91,334 |
| Accountant or Auditor | $64,180 | Columbia, SC | $68,495 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $61,570 | Columbia, SC | $65,710 |
| Office and Administrative Support Supervisor | $64,380 | Columbia, SC | $68,709 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Columbia at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $55,653 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 46.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Business Administration-related employment in Richland County | 5,426 workers, 858 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Columbia-Area Cities With Business Administration Programs
- Lexington, SC – 18.4 mi away (20,988 pop)
- Sumter, SC – 30.1 mi away (73,468 pop)
- Orangeburg, SC – 37.6 mi away (31,666 pop)
- Lancaster, SC – 48.1 mi away (25,691 pop)
- Aiken, SC – 58.8 mi away (30,937 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited business administration programs are near Columbia, SC?
Our directory lists 5 business administration programs within 100 miles of Columbia. The closest is Benedict College in Columbia, SC (6.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Morris College (32.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying business administration roles near Columbia?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying business administration-related roles near Columbia are: Administrative Services Manager ($128,070), Financial Manager ($113,390), Human Resources Manager ($104,990). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with South Carolina statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Lexington instead of Columbia?
Lexington, SC is 18.4 miles from Columbia and has its own set of local business administration programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Columbia an affordable place to study business administration?
Columbia’s median household income of $55,653 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Columbia while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and South Carolina public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
- Online Business Administration Programs in South Carolina
- Main Business Administration Degree Guide
- Business Administration Programs by State
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