Columbia Southern University
A good fit for families looking for lower cost. graduation rate is below 40%; for-profit institutions have higher scrutiny — research carefully. solid earnings of $63,534 within 10 years.
About This School
Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution located in Orange Beach, Alabama with approximately 12,176 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $14,580 per year. The graduation rate is 33%, and the typical graduate earns $63,534 within 10 years of enrollment.
Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit online university based in Orange Beach, Alabama, United States. It was founded in 1993 and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
This school is best suited for working adults — particularly those in public safety, emergency management, or military fields — who need a fully online, affordable path to a degree they can complete on their own schedule. The relatively low net price of $14,580 per year and a median debt of just $21,339 at graduation are genuinely reasonable for an online program, and graduates who land in their target fields report median earnings of $63,534 a decade out, which suggests the degree can pay off when paired with the right career focus. That said, the graduation rate of only 33% is a serious concern — it means most students who start here don't finish, which is a red flag worth taking seriously before enrolling. For-profit institutions have historically faced scrutiny around student outcomes, and you should ask the school directly about completion support, employer recognition in your specific field, and whether credits would transfer if you decided to move to a different institution. If you're a motivated adult learner with a clear professional goal and a plan to finish, this could work — but I wouldn't recommend it for a traditional 18-year-old without extensive research into how the degree is viewed by employers in their target industry.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 37% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (12,176 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
Columbia Southern University
21982 University Lane
Orange Beach, AL 36561-9000
Official Links
Other Schools in Alabama
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL · Public
Auburn University
Auburn, AL · Public
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL · Public
Troy University
Troy, AL · Public
University of South Alabama
Mobile, AL · Public
John C Calhoun State Community College
Tanner, AL · Public
See How Colleges Compare
Columbia Southern University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Columbia Southern University cost?
The average net price at Columbia Southern University is about $14,580 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Columbia Southern University?
Columbia Southern University has a graduation rate of 33%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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