Georgia Southwestern vs. Columbia Southern University

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

Georgia Southwestern Columbia Southern University
Location Americus, GA Orange Beach, AL
Setting Distant Town Distant Rural
Enrollment 3,408 18,487
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #970
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit For-profit
Website gsw.edu columbiasouthern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Georgia Southwestern Columbia Southern University
Tuition (In State) $4,064 $5,528
Tuition (Out of State) $14,786 $5,528
Room & Board $9,574 $8,932
Avg Net Price $11,779 $14,085
Avg Grant Aid $8,120 $3,995
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 51%

Admission

Georgia Southwestern Columbia Southern University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,045 -
Admitted 1,578 -
Acceptance Rate 77.2% Open
Enrolled % 33.8% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.17 -
Typical High School Grades B -
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/21
SAT Range 900/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 21, 2025

Academics

Georgia Southwestern Columbia Southern University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 28:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (37%)
  • Education (25%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Social Sciences (3%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (35%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Engineering Technology (17%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (4%)
  • Health Professions (3%)

Outcomes

Georgia Southwestern Columbia Southern University
Graduation Rate 30% 22%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,100 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,000 $16,404
Median Loan Payment $227 $169

Diversity

Georgia Southwestern Columbia Southern University
% Men 5% 16%
% Women 14% 13%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 58%
% Black 29% 23%
% Hispanic 3% 7%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 7%

Students

Georgia Southwestern Columbia Southern University
% In-State 95% 15%
% Out-of-State 4% 85%

Campus

Georgia Southwestern 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 Georgia Southwestern based on total student enrollment (18,487 students vs. 3,408 students)

Georgia Southwestern vs. Columbia Southern University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia Southwestern or Columbia Southern University?

  • Columbia Southern University is 36% more expensive to attend than Georgia Southwestern for in-state tuition ($5,528.00 vs. $4,064.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 167.5% higher at Georgia Southwestern than Columbia Southern University ($14,786.00 vs. $5,528.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Georgia Southwestern State University than Columbia Southern University ($11,779 vs. $14,085)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia Southern University are 7.2% lower than costs at Georgia Southwestern State University ($8,932 vs. $9,574)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Georgia Southwestern State University than Columbia Southern University (93% vs. 51%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Georgia Southwestern State University students is 103.3% larger than aid received Columbia Southern University ($8,120 vs. $3,995)

Which college is harder to get into, Georgia Southwestern 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 Georgia Southwestern .

Georgia Southwestern vs. Columbia Southern University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Georgia Southwestern 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 Georgia Southwestern.

  • The graduation rate at Georgia Southwestern is higher than Columbia Southern University (30% vs. 22%)
  • Columbia Southern University students graduate with a $5,596 lower median federal student loan debt than Georgia Southwestern graduates. ($16,404 vs. $22,000)
  • Columbia Southern University graduates are paying $58 less per month on federal student loans than Georgia Southwestern graduates. ($169 vs. $227)
  • More Columbia Southern University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia Southwestern students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 45%)

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