Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, Alabama · Private for-profit, 4-year
At a glance
Average net price
$14,580
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
33.3%
Admission rate
Not available
Undergrad size
12,176
In-state tuition
$6,760
Out-of-state tuition
$6,760
Cost of attendance
$18,226
Median earnings (10y)
$63,534
Admissions
- SAT average
- Not available
- ACT midpoint
- Not available
- Retention
- 71.0%
- Locale
- Town
Programs breakdown
7 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by trades & services (38%), stem (28%), business (22%).
- STEM28%
- Health10%
- Business22%
- Humanities & arts2%
- Trades & services38%
- ~4,577 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Engineering tech22.4%~2,731 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Business22.1%~2,685 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Health professions10.1%~1,225 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- Computer science4.2%~508 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~229 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Liberal arts1.8%~222 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 1,962 | $60,526 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 1,289 | $50,330 | $31,284 |
| Fire Protection. | Bachelor's | 1,070 | $70,128 | $21,248 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor's | 1,068 | $68,385 | $28,415 |
| Fire Protection. | Associate's | 837 | $66,269 | $10,500 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians. | Master's | 752 | $79,983 | — |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians. | Associate's | 590 | $71,839 | $16,710 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor's | 501 | $52,800 | $30,204 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate's | 416 | $44,702 | $21,764 |
| Public Administration. | Master's | 292 | $57,300 | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor's | 286 | $46,392 | $38,210 |
| Homeland Security. | Master's | 269 | $75,707 | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate's | 228 | $41,788 | $15,923 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate's | 228 | $46,115 | $17,078 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor's | 216 | $48,176 | $31,715 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Bachelor's | 188 | $36,507 | $33,180 |
| Public Health. | Master's | 148 | $43,677 | — |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Bachelor's | 145 | — | $34,056 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate's | 143 | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 138 | $47,097 | $28,578 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master's | 126 | $58,501 | — |
| Homeland Security. | Bachelor's | 126 | — | $32,683 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor's | 123 | $60,105 | $27,071 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor's | 120 | — | $24,518 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate's | 85 | $29,524 | $23,209 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Doctoral | 70 | — | — |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians. | Undergraduate certificate | 60 | — | $16,426 |
| Fire Protection. | Undergraduate certificate | 50 | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Undergraduate certificate | 31 | — | $27,275 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Undergraduate certificate | 31 | — | $25,876 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians. | Graduate certificate | 27 | — | — |
| Public Administration. | Graduate certificate | 21 | — | — |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Graduate certificate | 20 | — | — |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Undergraduate certificate | 18 | — | — |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Undergraduate certificate | 18 | — | $23,906 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Undergraduate certificate | 13 | — | — |
| Homeland Security. | Undergraduate certificate | 11 | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Graduate certificate | 8 | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Graduate certificate | 7 | — | — |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Undergraduate certificate | 7 | — | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Columbia Southern University
Columbia Southern University is a large institution located in Orange Beach, Alabama, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 12,176 undergraduate students in a town setting. The most popular fields of study include Homeland security & law enforcement, Engineering tech, Business.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Columbia Southern University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $14,580 per year, which is moderately priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Published tuition is $6,760 per year before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $18,226 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 33.3%, a average completion outcome. 71.0% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $63,534 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Columbia Southern University confers degrees and certificates across 7 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Homeland security & law enforcement, Engineering tech, Business. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by trades & services (38% of credentials), stem (28% of credentials), business (22% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Admission rate data is not reported for this institution, which is typical for open-admission community and trade schools.
Location & campus
Set in Orange Beach, Alabama (town), Columbia Southern University draws students from across Alabama and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Columbia Southern University
Q.How much does Columbia Southern University cost?
The average net price at Columbia Southern University is $14,580 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $18,226.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Columbia Southern University?
Columbia Southern University has a 6-year graduation rate of 33.3% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How much do Columbia Southern University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Columbia Southern University graduate earns $63,534 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Columbia Southern University?
Published tuition is $6,760 in-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Columbia Southern University located?
Columbia Southern University is located in Orange Beach, Alabama (ZIP 36561).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Columbia Southern University at their official website.