Columbia Southern University

www.columbiasouthern.edu

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2019 Undergraduate Tuition

$5,520

2.22% growth from 2018

2019 Average Net Price

$10,951

After Financial Aid

2017 Student Loan

8.84%

Default Rate

2019 Enrolled Students

20,034

66% Full-Time

2018 Graduation Rate

18.2%

122 Graduates

About

Columbia Southern University is a higher education institution located in Baldwin County, AL. In 2016, the most popular Bachelor's Degree concentrations at Columbia Southern University were General Business Administration & Management (1,058 degrees awarded), Occupational Safety & Health Technology (661 degrees), and Fire Services Administration (384 degrees).

In 2019, 7,635 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Columbia Southern University. 36.1% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 63.9% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (4,208 degrees), 2.48 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (1694 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Columbia Southern University is $5,520, which is $−16,506 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($22,027).

Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

The median undergraduate tuition at Columbia Southern University is $5,520, which is $−16,506 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($22,027).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $10,951.

In 2019, 85% of undergraduate students received federal grants, while 29% of undergraduate students received federal loans.

Student Expenses

Tuition Costs

$5,520

2019 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2019, the cost of tuition at Columbia Southern University was $5,520. The cost of tuition at Columbia Southern University is $−16,506 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($22,027).

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

Average Net Price

$10,951

2019 Value

3.83%

1 Year Growth

In 2019 Columbia Southern University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $10,951. Between 2018 and 2019, the average net price of Columbia Southern University grew by 3.83%.

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

$6,642

Room and Board

$688

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Columbia Southern University was of $6,642 in 2019. During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $688. The cost of room and board increased by 4.98% between 2018 and 2019. The cost of books and supplies decreased by 5.49% during the same period.

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

Financial Aid

Financial Aid by Income Level

85%

Of Undergraduates Receive Grants

29%

Of Undergraduates Receive Federal Loans

85% of undergraduate students at Columbia Southern University received grants or loans in 2019. This represents a growth of 0% with respect to 2018, when 85% 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.

8.84%

2017 Default Rate

415

Number of Defaults

In 2017 the default rate for borrower's at Columbia Southern University was 8.84%, which represents 415 out of the 4697 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 has a total enrollment of 20,034 students. The full-time enrollment at Columbia Southern University is 13,224 students and the part-time enrollment is 6,810. This means that 66% of students enrolled at Columbia Southern University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Columbia Southern University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 46.5% White, 17.1% Black or African American, 3.59% Hispanic or Latino, 2.24% Two or More Races, 1.84% Asian, 0.844% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.25% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Columbia Southern University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (28.8%), followed by White Female (17%) and Black or African American Female (9.8%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Male (23.5%), followed by White Female (15.8%) and Black or African American Female (15%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

66%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Columbia Southern University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 20,034 students. The full-time enrollment at Columbia Southern University is 13,224 and the part-time enrollment is 6,810. This means that 66% of students enrolled at Columbia Southern University are enrolled full-time compared with 69.2% 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

62%

2019 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 62%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (74%), 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

White
9,318
Black or African American
3,427
Hispanic or Latino
719

The enrolled student population at Columbia Southern University is 46.5% White, 17.1% Black or African American, 3.59% Hispanic or Latino, 2.24% Two or More Races, 1.84% Asian, 0.844% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.25% 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 53.3% White, 16% Hispanic or Latino, and 12.9% 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, 5,526 students (27.6%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2019, 2117 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 (4,208 degrees awarded). There were 2.48 times more white graduates than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (1694 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Columbia Southern University is General Business Administration & Management (1,058 degrees awarded), followed by Occupational Safety & Health Technology (661 degrees) and Fire Services Administration (384 degrees).

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 (1,587 degrees awarded), Protective Services (1,907 degrees), and Natural Resources & Conservation (143 degrees).

Workforce

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 (989,822 people), Other managers (753,645 people), Financial managers (489,902 people), Chief executives & legislators (374,904 people), and Firstline supervisors of retail sales workers (266,786 people).

The most specialized majors at Columbia Southern University are Engineering Technologies (1,587 degrees awarded), Protective Services (1,907 degrees), Natural Resources & Conservation (143 degrees), Business (3,041 degrees), and Public Administration and Social Service (105 degrees).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers

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 Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers, Surgeons, Public relations specialists, Physicians, and Real estate brokers & sales agents

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

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 Elementary & secondary schools (567,888 people), Computer Systems Design (501,945 people), Justice, public order, & safety activities (497,973 people), Banking & related activities (486,808 people), and Insurance carriers (420,080 people).

Degrees

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

General Business Administration & Management
1058 degree-majorss awarded
Occupational Safety & Health Technology
661 degree-majorss awarded
Fire Services Administration
384 degree-majorss awarded

In 2019, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Columbia Southern University was General Business Administration & Management with 1058 degrees awarded.

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

Gender Breakdown for Common Majors

4,876

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2019

2,759

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2019

In 2019, 4,876 degrees were awarded to men at Columbia Southern University, which is 1.77 times more than the number of degrees awarded to females (2,759).

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

Most Common Male Majors

In 2019, 1238 degrees were awarded to men at Columbia Southern University in Occupational Safety & Health Technology, which is 3.55 times more than the 349 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2019, 1315 degrees were awarded to women at Columbia Southern University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 1.07 times more than the 1234 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

17%

100% Completion Time

24%

150% Completion Time

In 2019, 17% of students graduating from Columbia Southern University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 24% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 24% 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.

Diversity

Graduation Rate by Race and Gender

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Asian Male

Highest Graduation Rate (50%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate at Columbia Southern University is Male and Asian (50% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (69.1%).

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.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 0% of graduates (0 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
4,208 degrees awarded
Black or African American
1,694 degrees awarded
Unknown
592 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Columbia Southern University is white (4,208 degrees awarded). There were 2.48 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (1694 degrees).

7.75% of degree recipients (592 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Gender

Most Common Gender Demographic

White Male
2,973 degrees awarded
White Female
1,235 degrees awarded
Black or African American Female
909 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and gender grouping at Columbia Southern University is white male (2,973 degrees awarded). There were 2.41 times more white male recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (1,235 degrees).

Operations

Columbia Southern University has an endowment valued at nearly $N/A, as of the end of the 2019 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of $0 (NaNM%), compared to the 4.44% average return ($1.71M on $38.5M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2019, Columbia Southern University had a total salary expenditure of $76.9M. Columbia Southern University employs 279 Instructors, 0 N/A, and 0 N/A. Most academics at Columbia Southern University are Male Instructors (165), Female Instructors(114), and N/A (0).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Columbia Southern University are: Office and Administrative Support, with 165 employees, Management, with 107 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 89 employees.

Finances

Endowment

$N/A

2019 Endowment

growth from 2018

Columbia Southern University has an endowment valued at about $N/A, as of the end of the 2019 fiscal year. The endowment of Columbia Southern University stayed 0% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $NaNM approximately the same as than the median endowment of Masters Colleges and Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Columbia Southern University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$0 - Federal
$0 - State
$0 - Local

As of 2019, Columbia Southern University received $0 in grants and contracts from the federal government, $0 from state grants and contracts, and $0 from local grants and contracts.

Expenses

Salary Expenditure

$39.3M

2019 Salaries

36.1%

growth from 2018

In 2019, Columbia Southern University paid a median of $39.3M in salaries, which represents 51.2% of their overall expenditure ($76.9M) and a 36.1% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 1.92% growth from 2017 and a 6.83% growth from 2016.

The median for similar Masters Colleges and Universities is 34.1M (40.6% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$13.6M

Instructional Salaries

279

Number of Employees

In 2019, Columbia Southern University paid a total of $13.6M to 279 employees working as instructors, which represents 34.6% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $11.2M (32.7%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Faculty and Staff

Occupations by Share

Instructor

Most Common Instructor

279 Employees

Office and Administrative Support

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

165 Employees

In 2019, the most common positions for instructional staff at Columbia Southern University were Instructor with 279 employees; false with 0 employees; and false with 0 employees.

In 2019, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Columbia Southern University were Office and Administrative Support with 165 employees; Management with 107 employees; and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 89 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Gender

Most Common Demographic

Male Instructor
Female Instructor
false

In 2019, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Columbia Southern University was Male Instructor with 165 employees, Female Instructor with 114 employees, and false with 0 employees.

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

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