Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, Alabama
Columbia Southern University is a private institution in Orange Beach, Alabama with 13,053 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $5,808 compared with a Alabama nursing-school average of $10,667. The school reports a graduation rate of 37.2%, median earnings of $63,534, and median federal debt of $21,339.
$5,808 is lower than the state average of $10,667.
37.2% is lower than the state average of 43.4%.
$63,534 is higher than the state average of $40,280.
About Columbia Southern University
| Location | Orange Beach, Alabama |
| Institution Type | Private For-Profit |
| Highest Degree | graduate |
| Website | www.columbiasouthern.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $5,808 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $5,808 |
| Total Enrollment | 13,053 |
| Acceptance Rate | N/A |
| Graduation Rate | 37.2% |
| Retention Rate | 58.8% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $63,534 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,339 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $226 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 21.2% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 23.8% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.4 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
21.2% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 23.8% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at Columbia Southern University depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $23,232, while the reported median debt is $21,339 with an estimated monthly payment of $226. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among White students (62.2%), followed by Black students (16.4%) and Hispanic students (1.7%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($63,534) divided by median debt ($21,339)