Columbia State Community College is a two-year college located in Columbia, Tennessee. Founded in 1966, it serves nine counties in southern Middle Tennessee through five campuses. Columbia State was established as Tennessee's first community college. In 1957, a public higher education study, commonly referred to as the Pierce-Albright Report, identified a significant need to expand higher education in Tennessee. The report identified three areas that were considered underserved by higher education, including the south central Middle Tennessee region. This report would later serve as a cornerstone in the history of Tennessee’s community colleges.