Columbia Southern University
Columbia Southern University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Columbia Southern University at a Glance
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.
1993
33 years old
18,487
13,111 undergrad · 5,376 grad
Identity
Is Columbia Southern University Worth It?
At a value score of 38/100, Columbia Southern University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $63,534 — 18% above average — while paying $14,580/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 35% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Columbia Southern University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Columbia Southern University compares to peer for-profit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #2 of 4 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Unitek College | 56 | $25,179 | $79,550 |
| #2 | Columbia Southern University | 38 | $14,580 | $63,534 |
| #3 | ECPI University | 20 | $22,965 | $42,837 |
| #4 | Capella University | 16 | $17,956 | $42,189 |
Peer group: for-profit colleges within ±60% of Columbia Southern University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Columbia Southern University
The highest-earning program at Columbia Southern University is Fire Protection at $66,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at $25,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Fire Protection graduate from Columbia Southern University earns $66,500, while a Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions graduate earns $25,600. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Fire Protection graduates carry $18,517 in median debt vs. $19,464 for Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $14,580/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Protection | $66,500 | $66,500 | $18,517 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $64,900 | $64,900 | $21,434 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $58,900 | $58,900 | $23,841 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $55,900 | $55,900 | $17,867 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $48,800 | $48,800 | $22,909 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $46,700 | $46,700 | $22,779 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $46,200 | $46,200 | $24,181 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $45,500 | $45,500 | $20,712 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $25,600 | $25,600 | $19,464 |
Similar Colleges in AL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- for-profit
- Location
- Orange Beach, AL
- Student Body
- 12,176 students
- Graduation Rate
- 35%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $14,580
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $63,534
- Median Student Debt
- $21,339