University of South Alabama vs. Columbia Southern University

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

University of South Alabama Columbia Southern University
Location Mobile, AL Orange Beach, AL
Setting Midsize City Distant Rural
Enrollment 13,438 15,948
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #684
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit For-profit
Website southalabama.edu columbiasouthern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of South Alabama Columbia Southern University
Tuition (In State) $8,616 $5,880
Tuition (Out of State) $17,232 $5,880
Room & Board $8,510 $8,136
Avg Net Price $15,664 $12,366
Avg Grant Aid $7,686 $4,154
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 42%

Admission

University of South Alabama Columbia Southern University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,550 -
Admitted 8,203 -
Acceptance Rate 65.4% Open
Enrolled % 19.7% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.69 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Moderate Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/26
SAT Range 1003/1200
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

University of South Alabama Columbia Southern University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 28:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (35%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Engineering Technology (17%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (4%)
  • Health Professions (3%)

Outcomes

University of South Alabama Columbia Southern University
Graduation Rate 39% 22%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,200 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $16,404
Median Loan Payment $253 $169

Diversity

University of South Alabama Columbia Southern University
% Men 32% 62%
% Women 68% 38%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 59% 58%
% Black 24% 23%
% Hispanic 3% 7%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 5% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 7%

Students

University of South Alabama Columbia Southern University
% In-State 73% 8%
% Out-of-State 25% 90%

Campus

University of South Alabama Columbia Southern University
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No 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 University of South Alabama based on total student enrollment (15,948 students vs. 13,438 students)

University of South Alabama vs. Columbia Southern University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Alabama or Columbia Southern University?

  • University of South Alabama is 46.5% more expensive to attend than Columbia Southern University for in-state tuition ($8,616.00 vs. $5,880.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 193.1% higher at University of South Alabama than Columbia Southern University ($17,232.00 vs. $5,880.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia Southern University than University of South Alabama ($12,366 vs. $15,664)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia Southern University are 4.6% lower than costs at University of South Alabama ($8,136 vs. $8,510)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Alabama than Columbia Southern University (94% vs. 42%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Alabama students is 85% larger than aid received Columbia Southern University ($7,686 vs. $4,154)

Which college is harder to get into, University of South Alabama 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 University of South Alabama .

University of South Alabama vs. Columbia Southern University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of South Alabama 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 University of South Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at University of South Alabama is higher than Columbia Southern University (39% vs. 22%)
  • Columbia Southern University students graduate with a $8,096 lower median federal student loan debt than University of South Alabama graduates. ($16,404 vs. $24,500)
  • Columbia Southern University graduates are paying $84 less per month on federal student loans than University of South Alabama graduates. ($169 vs. $253)
  • More Columbia Southern University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Alabama 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/