Columbia Southern University
- Graduation Rate
- 32% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $66,855 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $15,834 C+
- Close to the national average
- Enrollment
- 12,176
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 22.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $22.7 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $22.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,376,057.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 47% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 32% — 45% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $22.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Columbia Southern University
Columbia Southern University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private for-profit University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 12,176
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Criminal Justice, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Columbia Southern University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,834 a year after grants and scholarships — 10% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $66,855 ten years after enrolling — 47% above the typical college, against $18,888 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 12,000 students, Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, Alabama, caters to those seeking flexible online education, especially in fields like Criminal Justice, Business and Marketing, Health Professions, Computer Science and IT, and Humanities. This school is ideal for working adults or those balancing various commitments. The focus on practical skills and career-focused programs can be attractive for students prioritizing immediate job readiness.
After graduation, we see that the average earnings for alumni after ten years is around $63,534. While the graduation rate sits at 35%, many students who complete their studies find themselves in a better financial position compared to where they started. Affordability is another key point; the net price after aid is approximately $14,580. This means that students can expect a manageable cost for a degree that aims to enhance their earning potential.
Addressing the practical aspects, the median debt for graduates is around $21,339, which is relatively moderate given the potential earnings. The 24% of students receiving Pell Grants indicates that there is some support for those from lower-income backgrounds. Generally, students who thrive here are motivated individuals looking for flexibility and a direct path toward career advancement, often balancing work and study effectively.
Can I Get In?
How selective Columbia Southern University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Columbia Southern University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Orange Beach, Alabama, Columbia Southern University enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 32%.
- Retention Rate
- 71%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 40%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $4,485
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 28:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.59
- First-Gen Students
- 54%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Columbia Southern University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Columbia Southern University is $6,472, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,834. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,131 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,888 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $6,472
- Out-of-State
- $6,472
- Avg Net Price
- $15,834
- Median Debt
- $18,888
- Pell Grant Rate
- 32%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 30%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $15,131
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,793
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,168
- Family Income $110K+
- $19,961
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Columbia Southern University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Columbia Southern University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Columbia Southern University earn a median of $66,855, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $62,501
- 8 Years
- $62,290
- 10 Years
- $66,855
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.28x
- Earning > $25K
- 88%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (67)
- 15%
- 100% (67)
- 15%
- 100% (67)
- 15%
- 100% (67)
- 15%
How Columbia Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Columbia Southern University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Columbia Southern University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,834/year ($63,336 total). Graduates earn $66,855 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,439,393 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,376,057 (22.7× your investment). The median debt is $18,888, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 32% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $63,336
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,439,393
- Net Return
- $1,376,057
- ROI Multiple
- 22.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,834
- Median Debt
- $18,888
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 32%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Top Programs
The fields Columbia Southern University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Criminal Justice 38% $82,806 early-career
- Business & Marketing 20% $58,398 early-career
- Health Professions 10% $51,897 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 5% $69,024 early-career
- Humanities 2%
- Education 0%
- Communications 0%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Columbia Southern University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Columbia Southern University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Orange Beach, Alabama, Columbia Southern University enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 32%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Columbia Southern University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Columbia Southern University is $6,472, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,834. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,131 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,888 in federal student loans.
Is Columbia Southern University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Columbia Southern University earn a median of $66,855, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
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