Alabama State vs. Columbia Southern University

Should I go to Alabama State University or Columbia Southern University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Alabama State or Columbia Southern University 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 State University vs. Columbia Southern University comparison
Alabama State University Columbia Southern University College 3 College 4
Alabama State University
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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
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
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 28:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (18%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (35%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Engineering Technology (17%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (4%)
  • Health Professions (3%)

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/