Originally founded as Christian Female College, the college was the first women's college west of the Mississippi River to be chartered by a state legislature. The college changed its name to Columbia College in 1970 when it transitioned from a two-year women's college to a four-year coeducational college. Though Columbia College has retained a covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) since its inception, the college is a nonsectarian school welcoming students of all religious denominations. Founded in 1851, Columbia College has been helping students advance their lives through higher education for more than 160 years.