Columbia Southern University

www.columbiasouthern.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition
$5,944
7.53% growth from 2023
2024 Average Net Price
$13,117
After Financial Aid
2024 Enrolled Students
17,763
76.3% Full-Time
2024 Graduation Rate
26.5%
91 Graduates

About

Columbia Southern University is a higher education institution located in Baldwin County, AL. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Columbia Southern University were Fire Services Administration (925 degrees awarded), Occupational Safety & Health Technology (739 degrees), and General Business Administration & Management (668 degrees).

In 2024, 7,773 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Columbia Southern University. 33.6% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 66.4% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (4,575 degrees), 3.55 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (1,288 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Columbia Southern University is $5,944, which is $−19,344 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($25,288).

Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsMasters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Columbia Southern University is $5,944, which is $19,344 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($25,288).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $13,117.

In 2024, 28% of undergraduate students attending Columbia Southern University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 26% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$5,944
2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Columbia Southern University was $5,944. The cost of tuition at Columbia Southern University is $−19,344 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($25,288).

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

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Average Net Price

$13,117
2024 Value
6.87%
1 Year Growth

In 2024 Columbia Southern University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $13,117. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Columbia Southern University grew by 6.87%.

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.

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Other Student Expenses

$8,932
Room and Board

The average yearly cost of room and board at Columbia Southern University was of $8,932 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 9.78% between 2023 and 2024.

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Financial Aid by Income Level

28%
Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
26%
Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

28% of undergraduate students at Columbia Southern University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 12% with respect to 2023, when 25% 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.

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Enrollment

Columbia Southern University had a total enrollment of 17,763 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Columbia Southern University is 13,550 students and the part-time enrollment is 4,213. This means that 76.3% of students enrolled at Columbia Southern University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Columbia Southern University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 57.3% White, 21% Black or African American, 2.89% Two or More Races, 1.95% Asian, 1.43% Hispanic or Latino, 0.929% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.67% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Columbia Southern University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (40.2%), followed by White Female (20.7%) and Black or African American Female (10.4%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Male (32.1%), followed by White Female (16.5%) and Black or African American Female (13.7%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

76.3%
Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Columbia Southern University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 17,763 students. The full-time enrollment at Columbia Southern University is 13,550 and the part-time enrollment is 4,213. This means that 76.3% of students enrolled at Columbia Southern University are enrolled full-time compared with 68.6% 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.

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Retention Rate over Time

71%
2024 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 71%. 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.

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Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)
  1. White
    10,185 enrolled students
  2. Black or African American
    3,725 enrolled students
  3. Two or More Races
    514 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Columbia Southern University is 57.3% White, 21% Black or African American, 2.89% Two or More Races, 1.95% Asian, 1.43% Hispanic or Latino, 0.929% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.67% 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 48.8% White, 18.2% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.7% 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, 2,450 students (13.8%) did not report their race.

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Graduates

In 2024, 2,543 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 (4,575 degrees awarded). There were 3.55 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (1,288 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Columbia Southern University is Fire Services Administration (925 degrees awarded), followed by Occupational Safety & Health Technology (739 degrees) and General Business Administration & Management (668 degrees).

In 2024,  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 (1,766 degrees awarded), Protective Services (2,381 degrees), and Natural Resources & Conservation (109 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 (1,017,082 people), Other managers (831,676 people), Financial managers (531,907 people), Chief executives & legislators (416,207 people), and Human resources workers (267,655 people).

The most specialized majors at Columbia Southern University in 2024 are Engineering Technologies (1,766 degrees awarded), Protective Services (2,381 degrees), Natural Resources & Conservation (109 degrees), Business (2,367 degrees), and Public Administration and Social Service (160 degrees) (as of 2024).

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Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons
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 Surgeons, Diagnostic medical sonographers, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Physicians, and Nurse anesthetists

The most specialized majors at Columbia Southern University are Engineering Technologies (1,766 degrees awarded), Protective Services (2,381 degrees), Natural Resources & Conservation (109 degrees), Business (2,367 degrees), and Public Administration and Social Service (160 degrees) (as of 2024).

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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 (647,521 people), Computer Systems Design (620,321 people), Justice, public order, & safety activities (513,087 people), Construction (473,319 people), and Banking & related activities (464,964 people).

The most specialized majors at Columbia Southern University are Engineering Technologies (1,766 degrees awarded), Protective Services (2,381 degrees), Natural Resources & Conservation (109 degrees), Business (2,367 degrees), and Public Administration and Social Service (160 degrees) (as of 2024).

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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 (2024)
  1. Fire Science & Fire-Fighting
    587 degrees awarded
  2. Occupational Safety & Health Technology
    458 degrees awarded
  3. General Business Administration & Management
    270 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common associates degree concentration at Columbia Southern University was Fire Science & Fire-Fighting with 587 degrees awarded.

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

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Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

5,158
Degrees Awarded to Men
in 2024
2,615
Degrees Awarded to Women
in 2024

In 2024, 5,158 degrees were awarded to men at Columbia Southern University, which is 1.97 times more than the number of degrees awarded to females (2,615).

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

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Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 1,335 degrees were awarded to men at Columbia Southern University in Occupational Safety & Health Technology, which is 3.1 times more than the 431 female recipients with that same degree.

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Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 1,023 degrees were awarded to men at Columbia Southern University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 1.24 times more than the 824 male recipients with that same degree.

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Time to Complete

17%
100% Completion Time
21%
150% Completion Time

In 2024, 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, 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.

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Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.
White Female
Highest Graduation Rate (26.3%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2024 at Columbia Southern University is Female and White (26.3% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (75.5%).

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.

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Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)
  1. White
    4,575 degrees awarded
  2. Black or African American
    1,288 degrees awarded
  3. Hispanic or Latino
    185 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Columbia Southern University is white (4,575 degrees awarded). There were 3.55 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (1,288 degrees).

16.2% of degree recipients (1,261 students) did not report their race.

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Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)
  1. White Male
    3,304 degrees awarded
  2. White Female
    1,271 degrees awarded
  3. Black or African American Male
    687 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Columbia Southern University is white male (3,304 degrees awarded). There were 2.6 times more white male recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (1,271 degrees).

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Operations

In 2024, Columbia Southern University had a total salary expenditure of 79.7M. Columbia Southern University employs 147 Professors, 118 Instructors. Most academics at Columbia Southern University are Male Instructor (76), Male Professor (75), and Female Professor (72).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Columbia Southern University are: Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services, with 199 employees, Office and Administrative Support, with 114 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 74 employees.

Salary Expenditure

$41.9M
2024 Salaries
0%
growth from 2023

In 2024, Columbia Southern University paid a median of $41.9M in salaries, which represents 52.6% of their overall expenditure ($79.7M) and a 0% growth from the previous year.

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Instructional Salaries

$14.3M
Instructional Salaries
265
Number of Employees

In 2024, Columbia Southern University paid a total of $14.3M to 265 employees working as instructors, which represents 34% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $1.15M (2.91%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

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Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Columbia Southern University were Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 199 employees, Office and Administrative Support with 114 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 74 employees.

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