Orange Beach, AL · Private University
Is Columbia Southern University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$63,534
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$5,808
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$5,808
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$23,232
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
10.94x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
0.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
37.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,339
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$14,975
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Columbia Southern University graduates earn $18,534 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Columbia Southern University ranked by graduate earnings
42 graduates
455 graduates
240 graduates
77 graduates
58 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Columbia Southern University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Columbia Southern University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions: $83,927) and the lowest (Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions: $43,461) is $40,466/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsBest ROI(1yr data) | $83,927 | 14.4x |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $80,937 | 13.9x |
| Fire Protection | $80,338 | 13.8x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $73,636 | 12.7x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $65,626 | 11.3x |
| Homeland Security(1yr data) | $62,313 | 10.7x |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management(1yr data) | $61,894 | 10.7x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $60,062 | 10.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $57,593 | 9.9x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $50,348 | 8.7x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $50,101 | 8.6x |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied ProfessionsLowest | $43,461 | 7.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Columbia Southern University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $63,534 10 years after starting, $18,534 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 0.8 years, faster than most colleges.
Ready to apply to Columbia Southern University?
See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.