Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
TROY Alabama Southern Community College The University of West Florida Auburn University of Alabama at Birmingham Bishop State Community College University of North Alabama University of Mobile University of Phoenix-Lafayette Jacksonville State University Alabama Springhill| University of South Alabama | Columbia Southern University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
University of South Alabama | Columbia Southern University | ||
| Location | Mobile, AL | Orange Beach, AL | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Distant Rural | ||
| Enrollment | 13,768 | 18,487 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #750 | |||
| 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) | $8,976 | $5,528 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $17,952 | $5,528 | ||
| Room & Board | $8,830 | $8,932 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $13,613 | $14,085 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $8,500 | $3,995 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 94% | 51% |
Admission |
University of South Alabama | Columbia Southern University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 12,593 | - | ||
| Admitted | 8,247 | - | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 65.5% | Open | ||
| Enrolled % | 23.3% | Open | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.69 | - | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | - | ||
| Admissions Standards | Moderate | Unavailable | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 19/26 | |||
| SAT Range | 1015/1200 | |||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | |||
| Application Deadline | Jul 15, 2025 |
Academics |
University of South Alabama | Columbia Southern University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 28:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
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 | 7% | 16% | ||
| % Women | 28% | 13% | ||
| 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% | 15% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 26% | 85% | ||
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 (18,487 students vs. 13,768 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 62.4% more expensive to attend than Columbia Southern University for in-state tuition ($8,976.00 vs. $5,528.00)
- Out of state tuition is 224.7% higher at University of South Alabama than Columbia Southern University ($17,952.00 vs. $5,528.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Alabama than Columbia Southern University ($13,613 vs. $14,085)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Alabama are 1.2% lower than costs at Columbia Southern University ($8,830 vs. $8,932)
- More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Alabama than Columbia Southern University (94% vs. 51%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Alabama students is 112.8% larger than aid received Columbia Southern University ($8,500 vs. $3,995)
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/