Columbia Southern University
Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution located in Orange Beach, AL, offering 29 distinct degree programs across various fields of study. With an enrollment of over 13,053 students, Columbia Southern University serves a substantial student population.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $5,808
- 2024 Average Net Price: $14,975 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: N/A Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 13,053 N/A% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 37.22%
Costs
Tuition Costs
$5,808
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Columbia Southern University was $5,808.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$14,975
2024 Value
In 2024 Columbia Southern University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $14,975.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$59,900 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$14,975 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$23,232 4-Year Tuition
Costs include tuition and fees. Room & board, books, and other expenses are additional.
4-year total cost breakdown for Columbia Southern University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
21.22% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
23.81% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
Not reported
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Columbia Southern University was not reported in the College Scorecard extract for this institution.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
N/A% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Columbia Southern University in 2024 is 13,053 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
N/A%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
25.48% 100% Completion Time
37.22% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 25.48% of students graduating from Columbia Southern University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Columbia Southern University.
Return on Investment
$21,339 Median Student Debt
$63,534 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
33.59% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
960.67% Return on Investment
3.4 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Columbia Southern University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 Programs Reporting Data
CIP 52.0201: 1,847 completions
CIP 15.0701: 1,766 completions
CIP 43.0202: 974 completions
CIP 43.0203: 613 completions
CIP 52.0213: 328 completions
Criminal Justice & Corrections: 311 completions
CIP 51.0904: 245 completions
Criminal Justice - Police Science: 188 completions
CIP 52.1001: 162 completions
Other/Unknown Programs: 7,773 completions
Most popular programs at Columbia Southern University.
Employment Outcomes
$55,140 Median Earnings (6 years after entry)
$60,123 Median Earnings (8 years after entry)
$63,534 Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
Earnings outcomes for Columbia Southern University graduates.
About
Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution located in Orange Beach, AL, offering 29 distinct degree programs across various academic disciplines. The institution enrolls approximately 13,053 students. The institution maintains a 37.22% graduation rate. Approximately 21.22% of students receive Pell Grants.
Institution Type
Private For-profit
Location
Orange Beach, AL 36561-9000
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Graduation Rate Considerations: The 37.22% graduation rate at Columbia Southern University falls below the national average. Prospective students should carefully consider factors such as academic preparation, support services, and career outcomes when evaluating this institution.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.