Columbus State vs. Columbia Southern University

Should I go to Columbus State University or Columbia Southern University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbus 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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Columbus State University vs. Columbia Southern University comparison
Columbus State University Columbia Southern University College 3 College 4
Columbus State University
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Overview

Columbus State Columbia Southern University
Location Columbus, GA Orange Beach, AL
Setting Midsize City Distant Rural
Enrollment 7,479 15,948
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #995
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit For-profit
Website columbusstate.edu columbiasouthern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbus State Columbia Southern University
Tuition (In State) $4,371 $5,880
Tuition (Out of State) $15,425 $5,880
Room & Board $12,080 $8,136
Avg Net Price $12,902 $12,366
Avg Grant Aid $9,147 $4,154
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 42%

Admission

Columbus State Columbia Southern University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,870 -
Admitted 3,398 -
Acceptance Rate 87.8% Open
Enrolled % 30.4% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.07 -
Typical High School Grades B -
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/23
SAT Range 900/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 30, 2025

Academics

Columbus State Columbia Southern University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 28:1
Popular Majors
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (24%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (4%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (35%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Engineering Technology (17%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (4%)
  • Health Professions (3%)

Outcomes

Columbus State Columbia Southern University
Graduation Rate 31% 22%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 37% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $16,404
Median Loan Payment $268 $169

Diversity

Columbus State Columbia Southern University
% Men 40% 62%
% Women 60% 38%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 51% 58%
% Black 37% 23%
% Hispanic 6% 7%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 7%

Students

Columbus State Columbia Southern University
% In-State 92% 8%
% Out-of-State 5% 90%

Campus

Columbus 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 Columbus State based on total student enrollment (15,948 students vs. 7,479 students)

Columbus State vs. Columbia Southern University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or Columbia Southern University?

  • Columbia Southern University is 34.5% more expensive to attend than Columbus State for in-state tuition ($5,880.00 vs. $4,371.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 162.3% higher at Columbus State than Columbia Southern University ($15,425.00 vs. $5,880.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia Southern University than Columbus State ($12,366 vs. $12,902)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia Southern University are 48.5% lower than costs at Columbus State University ($8,136 vs. $12,080)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbus State University than Columbia Southern University (98% vs. 42%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbus State University students is 120.2% larger than aid received Columbia Southern University ($9,147 vs. $4,154)

Which college is harder to get into, Columbus 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 Columbus State .

Columbus State vs. Columbia Southern University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbus 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 Columbus State.

  • The graduation rate at Columbus State is higher than Columbia Southern University (31% vs. 22%)
  • Columbia Southern University students graduate with a $9,596 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbus State graduates. ($16,404 vs. $26,000)
  • Columbia Southern University graduates are paying $99 less per month on federal student loans than Columbus State graduates. ($169 vs. $268)
  • More Columbia Southern University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 37%)

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