Columbia Southern University

www.columbiasouthern.edu

Add Comparison

2022 Undergraduate Tuition

$5,880

4.26% growth from 2021

2022 Average Net Price

$12,366

After Financial Aid

2020 Default Rate

on Student Loans

2022 Enrolled Students

15,948

69.3% Full-Time

2022 Graduation Rate

20.8%

71 Graduates

About

Columbia Southern University is a higher education institution located in Baldwin County, AL. In 2022, the most popular Masters Degree concentrations at Columbia Southern University were General Business Administration & Management (815 degrees awarded), Occupational Safety & Health Technology (374 degrees), and Organizational Leadership (194 degrees).

In 2022, 5,998 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Columbia Southern University. 37% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 63% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (3,087 degrees), 2.65 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (1,163 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Columbia Southern University is $5,880, which is $−18,116 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,996).

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Columbia Southern University was 0%, corresponding to 0 out of the 4406 total borrowers.

Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2022, the median undergraduate tuition at Columbia Southern University is $5,880, which is $18,116 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,996).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $12,366.

In 2022, 32% of undergraduate students attending Columbia Southern University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 24% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$5,880

2022 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2022, the cost of tuition at Columbia Southern University was $5,880. The cost of tuition at Columbia Southern University is $−18,116 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,996).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Columbia Southern University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$12,366

2022 Value

0.866%

1 Year Growth

In 2022 Columbia Southern University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $12,366. Between 2021 and 2022, the average net price of Columbia Southern University grew by 0.866%.

This chart compares the average net price of Columbia Southern University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$7,592

Room and Board

$616

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Columbia Southern University was of $7,592 in 2022. The cost of room and board increased by 6.84% between 2021 and 2022.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $616. The cost of books and supplies decreased by 11% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Columbia Southern University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

32%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

24%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

32% of undergraduate students at Columbia Southern University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2022. This represents a decline of 5.88% with respect to 2021, when 34% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Columbia Southern University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

2020 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Columbia Southern University was 0%, which represents 0 out of the 4406 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Enrollment

Columbia Southern University had a total enrollment of 15,948 students in 2022. The full-time enrollment at Columbia Southern University is 11,046 students and the part-time enrollment is 4,902. This means that 69.3% of students enrolled at Columbia Southern University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Columbia Southern University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 57.2% White, 18.1% Black or African American, 2.61% Two or More Races, 2.13% Hispanic or Latino, 1.97% Asian, 0.991% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.495% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Columbia Southern University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (41.4%), followed by White Female (21.1%) and Black or African American Male (9.13%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Male (29.1%), followed by White Female (16.7%) and Black or African American Female (13.9%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

69.3%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Columbia Southern University in 2022, both undergraduate and graduate, is 15,948 students. The full-time enrollment at Columbia Southern University is 11,046 and the part-time enrollment is 4,902. This means that 69.3% of students enrolled at Columbia Southern University are enrolled full-time compared with 67.6% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Columbia Southern University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

42%

2022 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Columbia Southern University was 42%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (73%), Columbia Southern University had a retention rate lower than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Columbia Southern University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2022)

White
9,129 enrolled students
Black or African American
2,894 enrolled students
Two or More Races
416 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Columbia Southern University is 57.2% White, 18.1% Black or African American, 2.61% Two or More Races, 2.13% Hispanic or Latino, 1.97% Asian, 0.991% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.495% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Masters Colleges and Universities is 51.2% White, 17.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 13% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 2,614 students (16.4%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2022, 1,562 fewer women than men received degrees from Columbia Southern University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Columbia Southern University is white (3,087 degrees awarded). There were 2.65 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (1163 degrees).

The most common Masters Degree concentration at Columbia Southern University is General Business Administration & Management (815 degrees awarded), followed by Occupational Safety & Health Technology (374 degrees) and Organizational Leadership (194 degrees).

In 2022, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Columbia Southern University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Engineering Technologies (1,247 degrees awarded), Protective Services (1,576 degrees), and Business (2,134 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Accountants & auditors

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Columbia Southern University are Accountants & auditors (1,045,681 people), Other managers (837,895 people), Software developers (692,098 people), Financial managers (509,041 people), and Chief executives & legislators (413,607 people).

The most specialized majors at Columbia Southern University in 2022 are Engineering Technologies (1,247 degrees awarded), Protective Services (1,576 degrees), Business (2,134 degrees), Public Administration and Social Service (154 degrees), and Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (166 degrees) (as of 2022).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Columbia Southern University are Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Surgeons, Physicians, Photographic process workers & processing machine operators, and Aircraft pilots & flight engineers

The most specialized majors at Columbia Southern University are Engineering Technologies (1,247 degrees awarded), Protective Services (1,576 degrees), Business (2,134 degrees), Public Administration and Social Service (154 degrees), and Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (166 degrees) (as of 2022).

Common Industries by Major

Computer Systems Design

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Columbia Southern University are Computer Systems Design (1,076,950 people), Elementary & secondary schools (637,212 people), Banking & related activities (549,737 people), Justice, public order, & safety activities (518,590 people), and Securities, commodities, funds, trusts & other financial investments (460,633 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Columbia Southern University.

Most Common (2022)

General Business Administration & Management
608 degrees awarded
Occupational Safety & Health Technology
547 degrees awarded
Fire Services Administration
479 degrees awarded

In 2022, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Columbia Southern University was General Business Administration & Management with 608 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Columbia Southern University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

3,780

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2022

2,218

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2022

In 2022, 3,780 degrees were awarded to men at Columbia Southern University, which is 1.7 times more than the number of degrees awarded to females (2,218).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Columbia Southern University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2022, 970 degrees were awarded to men at Columbia Southern University in Occupational Safety & Health Technology, which is 3.5 times more than the 277 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2022, 906 degrees were awarded to men at Columbia Southern University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 1.17 times more than the 774 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

15%

100% Completion Time

21%

150% Completion Time

In 2022, 15% of students graduating from Columbia Southern University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 21% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 22% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Asian Male

Highest Graduation Rate (33.3%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2022 at Columbia Southern University is Male and Asian (33.3% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (73.2%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2022)

White
3,087 degrees awarded
Black or African American
1,163 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
202 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Columbia Southern University is white (3,087 degrees awarded). There were 2.65 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (1163 degrees).

20.8% of degree recipients (1,245 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2022)

White Male
2,161 degrees awarded
White Female
926 degrees awarded
Black or African American Female
623 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Columbia Southern University is white male (2,161 degrees awarded). There were 2.33 times more white male recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (926 degrees).

Operations

Columbia Southern University employs 136 Professors, 99 Instructors. Most academics at Columbia Southern University are Male Professor (76), Male Instructor (66), and Female Professor (60).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Columbia Southern University are: Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services, with 147 employees, Office and Administrative Support, with 76 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 70 employees.

Salary Expenditure

$45.6M

2022 Salaries

4.79%

decline from 2021

In 2022, Columbia Southern University paid a median of $45.6M in salaries, a 4.79% decline from the previous year. This is compared to a 8.69% growth between 2020 and 2021, and a 11.9% growth between 2019 and 2020.

The median for similar Masters Colleges and Universities is 36.1M (39.6% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$12M

Instructional Salaries

235

Number of Employees

In 2022, Columbia Southern University paid a total of $12M to 235 employees working as instructors, which represents 26.4% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $11.3M (31.2%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

136 Employees

Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

147 Employees

In 2022, the most common positions for instructional staff at Columbia Southern University were Professor with 136 employees, and Instructor with 99 employees.

In 2022, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Columbia Southern University were Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 147 employees, Office and Administrative Support with 76 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 70 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2022)

Male Professor
Male Instructor
Female Professor

In 2022, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Columbia Southern University was Male Professor with 76 employees, Male Instructor with 66 employees, and Female Professor with 60 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Columbia Southern University.

Keep Exploring

University of Maryland Global Campus

University

Columbia College (177065)

University

Bellevue University

University

Colorado State University Global (476975)

University

University of Phoenix-Hawaii

University