Columbia, Missouri is home to a thriving educational system. The Columbia Public School District serves over 17,000 students throughout the city and offers an impressive list of schools ranging from elementary to high school. These schools strive to provide quality education for all its students and are highly rated according to state performance standards. The average graduation rate for CPS is 86%, while the district's student attendance rate hovers at 95%. Local education resources also include private schools, vocational programs, and several higher education institutions including Stephens College, University of Missouri, and Columbia College. With its strong public school system combined with a variety of options for higher learning, Columbia is a great place for young people to receive the best possible education.
Columbia schools spend $12,556 per student (The US average is $12,383). There are 14 pupils per teacher, 556 students per librarian, and 322 children per counselor.