AAMU vs. Columbus State

Should I go to Alabama A & M University or Columbus State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AAMU or Columbus State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Alabama A & M University vs. Columbus State University comparison
Alabama A & M University Columbus State University College 3 College 4
Alabama A & M University Columbus State University
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Overview

AAMU Columbus State
Location Normal, AL Columbus, GA
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 6,007 7,479
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1015 #995
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website aamu.edu columbusstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

AAMU Columbus State
Tuition (In State) $8,610 $4,371
Tuition (Out of State) $17,220 $15,425
Room & Board $9,520 $12,080
Avg Net Price $14,600 $12,902
Avg Grant Aid $10,066 $9,147
% Receiving Grant Aid 83% 98%

Admission

AAMU Columbus State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,907 3,870
Admitted 6,092 3,398
Acceptance Rate 68.4% 87.8%
Enrolled % 28.3% 30.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.02 3.07
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/19 16/23
SAT Range 830/1033 900/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 30, 2025

Academics

AAMU Columbus State
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (24%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (4%)

Outcomes

AAMU Columbus State
Graduation Rate 32% 31%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $34,300 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 25% 37%
Median Student Loan Debt $35,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $361 $268

Diversity

AAMU Columbus State
% Men 39% 40%
% Women 61% 60%
Racial Diversity Extremely Low High
HBCU Yes No
% White 3% 51%
% Black 92% 37%
% Hispanic 1% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

AAMU Columbus State
% In-State 51% 92%
% Out-of-State 38% 5%

Campus

AAMU Columbus State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbus State University is larger than than AAMU based on total student enrollment (7,479 students vs. 6,007 students)

AAMU vs. Columbus State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AAMU or Columbus State?

  • Alabama A & M University is 97% more expensive to attend than Columbus State for in-state tuition ($8,610.00 vs. $4,371.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 11.6% higher at AAMU than Columbus State University ($17,220.00 vs. $15,425.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbus State University than AAMU ($12,902 vs. $14,600)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alabama A & M University are 26.9% lower than costs at Columbus State University ($9,520 vs. $12,080)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbus State University than Alabama A & M University (98% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alabama A & M University students is 10% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($10,066 vs. $9,147)

AAMU vs. Columbus State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AAMU or Columbus State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbus State or AAMU .

  • The average SAT score at Columbus State University (961) is 111 points higher than at AAMU (850)
  • Incoming Columbus State students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (20) than students at AAMU (18)
  • Accepted freshman Columbus State students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.07) than students at AAMU (3.02)
  • Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than AAMU (68.4%)

AAMU vs. Columbus State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AAMU or Columbus State? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Columbus State and AAMU.

  • The graduation rate at AAMU is higher than Columbus State University (32% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Columbus State University earn on average $3,100 more per year than AAMU graduates after ten years. ($37,400 vs. $34,300)
  • Columbus State University students graduate with a $9,000 lower median federal student loan debt than AAMU graduates. ($26,000 vs. $35,000)
  • Columbus State graduates are paying $93 less per month on federal student loans than AAMU graduates. ($268 vs. $361)
  • More Columbus State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AAMU students, three years after graduation. (37% vs. 25%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/