CAU vs. Columbia Southern University

Should I go to Clark Atlanta University or Columbia Southern University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CAU 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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Clark Atlanta University vs. Columbia Southern University comparison
Clark Atlanta University Columbia Southern University College 3 College 4
Clark Atlanta University
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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
  • Communication (26%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (35%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Engineering Technology (17%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (4%)
  • Health Professions (3%)

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/