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AAMU Albany State University University of Phoenix-Lafayette TROY Tennessee State University Tuskegee University AUM Jacksonville State University Purdue Global-Davenport Campus University of Phoenix-Louisiana Campus CAU South Carolina State University| Alabama State University | Columbia Southern University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Alabama State | Columbia Southern University | ||
| Location | Montgomery, AL | Orange Beach, AL | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Distant Rural | ||
| Enrollment | 3,828 | 15,948 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #1016 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | For-profit | ||
| Website | alasu.edu | columbiasouthern.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Alabama State | Columbia Southern University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $8,328 | $5,880 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $16,656 | $5,880 | ||
| Room & Board | $6,050 | $8,136 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $13,176 | $12,366 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $10,029 | $4,154 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 97% | 42% |
Admission |
Alabama State | Columbia Southern University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,731 | - | ||
| Admitted | 6,502 | - | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 96.6% | Open | ||
| Enrolled % | 14.5% | Open | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 2.95 | - | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B- | - | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Unavailable | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 16/20 | |||
| SAT Range | 828/1041 | |||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | |||
| Application Deadline | Jul 31, 2025 |
Academics |
Alabama State | Columbia Southern University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 28:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Alabama State | Columbia Southern University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 26% | 22% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $29,500 | N/A | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 20% | 46% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $32,091 | $16,404 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $331 | $169 |
Diversity |
Alabama State | Columbia Southern University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 35% | 62% | ||
| % Women | 65% | 38% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Extremely Low | High | ||
| HBCU | Yes | No | ||
| % White | 2% | 58% | ||
| % Black | 93% | 23% | ||
| % Hispanic | 1% | 7% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 1% | 3% | ||
| % International | 2% | 0% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 7% |
Students |
Alabama State | Columbia Southern University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 37% | 8% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 62% | 90% | ||
Campus |
Alabama State | Columbia Southern University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | No | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | No | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Columbia Southern University is larger than than Alabama State based on total student enrollment (15,948 students vs. 3,828 students)
Alabama State vs. Columbia Southern University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Alabama State or Columbia Southern University?
- Alabama State University is 41.6% more expensive to attend than Columbia Southern University for in-state tuition ($8,328.00 vs. $5,880.00)
- Out of state tuition is 183.3% higher at Alabama State than Columbia Southern University ($16,656.00 vs. $5,880.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia Southern University than Alabama State ($12,366 vs. $13,176)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alabama State University are 34.5% lower than costs at Columbia Southern University ($6,050 vs. $8,136)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Alabama State University than Columbia Southern University (97% vs. 42%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Alabama State University students is 141.4% larger than aid received Columbia Southern University ($10,029 vs. $4,154)
Which college is harder to get into, Alabama State or Columbia Southern University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia Southern University or Alabama State .
Alabama State vs. Columbia Southern University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Alabama State or Columbia Southern University? 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 Columbia Southern University and Alabama State.
- The graduation rate at Alabama State is higher than Columbia Southern University (26% vs. 22%)
- Columbia Southern University students graduate with a $15,687 lower median federal student loan debt than Alabama State graduates. ($16,404 vs. $32,091)
- Columbia Southern University graduates are paying $162 less per month on federal student loans than Alabama State graduates. ($169 vs. $331)
- More Columbia Southern University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama State students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 20%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/