Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
NCAT Morehouse Florida A&M Tuskegee University University of Phoenix-Lafayette Spelman Tennessee State University Savannah State University KSU Fisk University Georgia State Albany State University| Clark Atlanta University | Columbia Southern University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
CAU | Columbia Southern University | ||
| Location | Atlanta, GA | Orange Beach, AL | ||
| Setting | Large City | Distant Rural | ||
| Enrollment | 4,000 | 15,948 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #971 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | United Methodist | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | For-profit | ||
| Website | cau.edu | columbiasouthern.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
CAU | Columbia Southern University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $21,948 | $5,880 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $21,948 | $5,880 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,982 | $8,136 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $30,015 | $12,366 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,431 | $4,154 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 83% | 42% |
Admission |
CAU | Columbia Southern University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 16,153 | - | ||
| Admitted | 9,088 | - | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 56.3% | Open | ||
| Enrolled % | 12.7% | Open | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.28 | - | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | - | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Unavailable | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 16/20 | |||
| SAT Range | 880/1120 | |||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | |||
| Application Deadline | Apr 1, 2025 |
Academics |
CAU | Columbia Southern University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 28:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
CAU | Columbia Southern University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 41% | 22% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $38,400 | N/A | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 30% | 46% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $31,000 | $16,404 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $320 | $169 |
Diversity |
CAU | Columbia Southern University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 24% | 62% | ||
| % Women | 76% | 38% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | High | ||
| HBCU | Yes | No | ||
| % White | 0% | 58% | ||
| % Black | 84% | 23% | ||
| % Hispanic | 0% | 7% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 0% | 3% | ||
| % International | 2% | 0% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 13% | 7% |
Students |
CAU | Columbia Southern University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 27% | 8% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 72% | 90% | ||
Campus |
CAU | Columbia Southern University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | No | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | Yes | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | No | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Columbia Southern University is larger than than CAU based on total student enrollment (15,948 students vs. 4,000 students)
CAU vs. Columbia Southern University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, CAU or Columbia Southern University?
- Clark Atlanta University is 273.3% more expensive to attend than Columbia Southern University for in-state tuition ($21,948.00 vs. $5,880.00)
- Out of state tuition is 273.3% higher at CAU than Columbia Southern University ($21,948.00 vs. $5,880.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia Southern University than CAU ($12,366 vs. $30,015)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia Southern University are 35% lower than costs at Clark Atlanta University ($8,136 vs. $10,982)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Clark Atlanta University than Columbia Southern University (83% vs. 42%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Clark Atlanta University students is 127% larger than aid received Columbia Southern University ($9,431 vs. $4,154)
Which college is harder to get into, CAU 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 CAU .
CAU vs. Columbia Southern University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, CAU 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 CAU.
- The graduation rate at CAU is higher than Columbia Southern University (41% vs. 22%)
- Columbia Southern University students graduate with a $14,596 lower median federal student loan debt than CAU graduates. ($16,404 vs. $31,000)
- Columbia Southern University graduates are paying $151 less per month on federal student loans than CAU graduates. ($169 vs. $320)
- More Columbia Southern University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 30%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/