Columbia Southern University

www.columbiasouthern.edu/

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2020 Undergraduate Tuition

$5,640

2.17% growth from 2019

2020 Average Net Price

$11,241

After Financial Aid

2018 Student Loan

6.53%

Default Rate

2020 Enrolled Students

18,533

65.5% Full-Time

2020 Graduation Rate

21.2%

95 Graduates

About

Columbia Southern University is a higher education institution located in Baldwin County, AL. In 2020, the most popular Bachelor's Degree concentrations at Columbia Southern University were General Business Administration & Management (936 degrees awarded), Occupational Safety & Health Technology (793 degrees), and Fire Services Administration (453 degrees).

In 2020, 7,517 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Columbia Southern University. 37.2% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 62.8% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (3,643 degrees), 2.32 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, unknown (1571 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Columbia Southern University is $5,640, which is $−16,890 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($22,531).

Costs

The median undergraduate tuition at Columbia Southern University is $5,640, which is $−16,890 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($22,531).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $11,241.

In 2020, 37% of undergraduate students attending Columbia Southern University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 28% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$5,640

2020 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2020, the cost of tuition at Columbia Southern University was $5,640. The cost of tuition at Columbia Southern University is $−16,890 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($22,531).

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

Average Net Price

$11,241

2020 Value

2.65%

1 Year Growth

In 2020 Columbia Southern University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $11,241. Between 2019 and 2020, the average net price of Columbia Southern University grew by 2.65%.

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

$6,844

Room and Board

$704

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Columbia Southern University was of $6,844 in 2020. During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $704. The cost of room and board increased by 3.04% between 2019 and 2020. The cost of books and supplies increased by 2.33% 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

37%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

28%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

37% of undergraduate students at Columbia Southern University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2020. This represents a decline of 56.5% with respect to 2019, 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.

6.53%

2018 Default Rate

293

Number of Defaults

In 2018 the default rate for borrower's at Columbia Southern University was 6.53%, which represents 293 out of the 4487 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 18,533 students. The full-time enrollment at Columbia Southern University is 12,145 students and the part-time enrollment is 6,388. This means that 65.5% of students enrolled at Columbia Southern University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Columbia Southern University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 51% White, 18.1% Black or African American, 3.35% Hispanic or Latino, 2.3% Two or More Races, 1.81% Asian, 0.777% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.448% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Columbia Southern University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (33.9%), followed by White Female (18.5%) and Black or African American Female (10.3%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Male (25.9%), followed by White Female (16.2%) and Black or African American Female (14.2%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

65.5%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Columbia Southern University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 18,533 students. The full-time enrollment at Columbia Southern University is 12,145 and the part-time enrollment is 6,388. This means that 65.5% of students enrolled at Columbia Southern University are enrolled full-time compared with 68.8% 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%

2020 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 (75%), 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
9,444
Black or African American
3,360
Hispanic or Latino
620

The enrolled student population at Columbia Southern University is 51% White, 18.1% Black or African American, 3.35% Hispanic or Latino, 2.3% Two or More Races, 1.81% Asian, 0.777% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.448% 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 52.6% White, 16.6% 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, 4,112 students (22.2%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2020, 1929 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 (3,643 degrees awarded). There were 2.32 times more white graduates than the next closest race/ethnicity group, unknown (1571 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Columbia Southern University is General Business Administration & Management (936 degrees awarded), followed by Occupational Safety & Health Technology (793 degrees) and Fire Services Administration (453 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 (1,644 degrees awarded), Protective Services (1,945 degrees), and Natural Resources & Conservation (123 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 (1,030,242 people), Other managers (691,832 people), Financial managers (445,606 people), Chief executives & legislators (345,325 people), and Firstline supervisors of retail sales workers (275,983 people).

The most specialized majors at Columbia Southern University are Engineering Technologies (1,644 degrees awarded), Protective Services (1,945 degrees), Natural Resources & Conservation (123 degrees), Business (2,848 degrees), and Public Administration and Social Service (132 degrees).

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, Physicians, Surgeons, Aircraft pilots & flight engineers, and Economists

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 (548,173 people), Banking & related activities (481,383 people), Justice, public order, & safety activities (473,347 people), Computer Systems Design (463,464 people), and Insurance carriers (419,666 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

General Business Administration & Management
936 degree-majorss awarded
Occupational Safety & Health Technology
793 degree-majorss awarded
Fire Services Administration
453 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Columbia Southern University was General Business Administration & Management with 936 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

4,723

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2020

2,794

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2020

In 2020, 4,723 degrees were awarded to men at Columbia Southern University, which is 1.69 times more than the number of degrees awarded to females (2,794).

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

Most Common Male Majors

In 2020, 1257 degrees were awarded to men at Columbia Southern University in Occupational Safety & Health Technology, which is 3.25 times more than the 387 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2020, 1295 degrees were awarded to women at Columbia Southern University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 1.23 times more than the 1053 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

12%

100% Completion Time

18%

150% Completion Time

In 2020, 12% of students graduating from Columbia Southern University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 18% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 18% 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.

White Female

Highest Graduation Rate (30.1%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate at Columbia Southern University is Female and White (30.1% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.4%).

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, 3.16% of graduates (3 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
3,643 degrees awarded
Unknown
1,571 degrees awarded
Black or African American
1,378 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Columbia Southern University is white (3,643 degrees awarded). There were 2.32 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, unknown (1571 degrees).

20.9% of degree recipients (1,571 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic

White Male
2,541 degrees awarded
White Female
1,102 degrees awarded
Black or African American Female
771 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Columbia Southern University is white male (2,541 degrees awarded). There were 2.31 times more white male recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (1,102 degrees).

Operations

Columbia Southern University has an endowment valued at nearly $N/A, as of the end of the 2020 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of $0 (NaNN%), compared to the 3.19% average return ($1.26M on $39.6M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2020, Columbia Southern University had a total salary expenditure of $81.4M. Columbia Southern University employs 308 Instructors, 0 N/A, and 0 N/A. Most academics at Columbia Southern University are Male Instructors (177), Female Instructors(131), and N/A (0).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Columbia Southern University are: Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services, with 162 employees, Office and Administrative Support, with 108 employees, and Management with 85 employees.

Endowment

growth from 2019

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 2020, 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.

Salary Expenditure

$44M

2020 Salaries

11.9%

growth from 2019

In 2020, Columbia Southern University paid a median of $44M in salaries, which represents 54.1% of their overall expenditure ($81.4M) and a 11.9% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 36.1% growth from 2018 and a 1.92% growth from 2017.

The median for similar Masters Colleges and Universities is 34.6M (40.9% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$15.2M

Instructional Salaries

308

Number of Employees

In 2020, Columbia Southern University paid a total of $15.2M to 308 employees working as instructors, which represents 34.5% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $11M (31.8%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

Instructor

Most Common Instructor

308 Employees

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

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

162 Employees

In 2020, the most common positions for instructional staff at Columbia Southern University were Instructor with 308 employees; false with 0 employees; and false with 0 employees.

In 2020, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Columbia Southern University were Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 162 employees; Office and Administrative Support with 108 employees; and Management with 85 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic

Male Instructor
Female Instructor

In 2020, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Columbia Southern University was Male Instructor with 177 employees, and Female Instructor with 131 employees.

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