Columbia Southern University logo

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, AL·For-Profit·www.columbiasouthern.edu/

Campus Identity

Beach TownGreek LifePhD ProgramsVery Safe

Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit university in Orange Beach, AL. The campus sits in a beach town, just 5 miles from the ocean. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 100/100 (Very Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit university in Orange Beach, AL. The campus sits in a beach town, just 5 miles from the ocean. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 100/100 (Very Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

N/A
Acceptance Rate
N/A
ACT Score (50th %ile)
$6,760
2024-25 Tuition
$14,580
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
N/A
Room & Board
N/A
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
N/A
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
N/A
Graduation Rate

Campus Lifestyle

Columbia Southern University is a 10,000–19,999, small-town school with an active Greek scene. The campus is 5 miles from Orange Beach, AL and 314 miles from Cloudmont Ski.

Greek Life

Active Organizations

Fraternities & sororities present

School Size & Setting

10,000–19,999

Town setting

Beach Access

5 miles

Orange Beach, AL

Ski Access

314 miles

Cloudmont Ski

Weather

Warm Climate

62°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Columbia Southern University students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Cloudmont Ski, 314 miles away. All are within 592 miles of campus.

314 mi away
572 mi away
65 skiable acres8 lifts
592 mi away
30 skiable acres7 lifts

Beach Town

Students at Columbia Southern University are 5 miles from Orange Beach, AL, putting the coast within easy reach any day of the week.

Orange Beach, AL

Ocean access within 5.4 miles

5 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Orange Beach, AL

Orange Beach has a warm climate, with winters averaging 50°F in Jan and summers peaking around 81°F in Jul.

50°Jan53°Feb60°Mar66°Apr73°May79°Jun81°Jul81°Aug77°Sep68°Oct58°Nov52°Dec

Station: ROBERTSDALE · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Columbia Southern University in AL earns a composite safety score of 100/100, rated Very Safe among U.S. colleges.

100/100
Very Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety100100100
100/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
100/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
100/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$6,760
Fees
$135
Total
$6,895
$14,580avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

57 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Business Administration, Management and OperationsMaster's
953 grads/yr$79,103
Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
594 grads/yr$69,343
Fire ProtectionBachelor's
585 grads/yr$88,735
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/TechniciansBachelor's
521 grads/yr$94,480
Fire ProtectionAssociate's
432 grads/yr$88,114

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians
Master's378 grads$99,847
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
Bachelor's60 grads$95,774
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians
Bachelor's521 grads$94,480
Homeland Security
Master's131 grads$93,851
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Certificate12 grads$89,203
Fire Protection
Bachelor's585 grads$88,735
Fire Protection
Associate's432 grads$88,114
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians
Associate's307 grads$87,340
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians
Certificate29 grads$84,636
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
Bachelor's61 grads$81,292

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Columbia Southern University located?

Columbia Southern University is located in Orange Beach, AL. The main campus address is 21982 University Lane, Orange Beach, AL. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

How much does it cost to attend Columbia Southern University?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Columbia Southern University charges $6,760/year in tuition. Including room and board, the total estimated cost is approximately $5,775/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $14,580/year — what students actually pay. Use Columbia Southern University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

Is Columbia Southern University the right fit for me?

Whether Columbia Southern University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions requirements, avg net price ($14,580/year after aid), campus culture in Orange Beach, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Columbia Southern University against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Columbia Southern University directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
For-Profit
Location
Orange Beach, AL
Size
10,000–19,999
Degrees Offered
Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, Certificates
School Year Weather
Warm · 62°F avg
On Campus Safety Score
100/100
Nearest Airport
Pensacola, FL (NPA) · 20 mialso PNS (30 mi), BFM (32 mi)

Location

Orange Beach, AL

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.