Head-to-head · 2026
Auburn University at Montgomery vs Columbia Southern University
Compare average net price ($13,224 at Auburn University at Montgomery; $14,580 at Columbia Southern University), ROI score (8.39 vs 10.89), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($44,391 vs $63,534), and admissions context (91.6% at Auburn University at Montgomery; Open / not reported at Columbia Southern University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Auburn University at Montgomery | Columbia Southern University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.39 | 10.89 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $13,224 ✓ | $14,580 |
| 4-year avg net price | $52,896 ✓ | $58,320 |
| In-state tuition | $9,700 | $6,760 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $20,668 | $6,760 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $44,391 | $63,534 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 91.6% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 32.6% | 33.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 67.6% | 71% ✓ |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $21,339 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,542 | 12,176 |
| Ownership | Public | Private For-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1093 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Auburn University at Montgomery | Columbia Southern University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,706 ✓ | $12,913 |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,309 ✓ | $13,455 |
| Family income $48–75k | $13,202 ✓ | $15,569 |
| Family income $75–110k | $17,387 | $16,226 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $16,117 ✓ | $17,408 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Auburn University at Montgomery | Columbia Southern University |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 1.9% | 33% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 5.1% | 7.4% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 5.4% | 0% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 1.8% | 3.6% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 3.6% | 1.6% |
| Homeland Security | 0.2% | 3.6% |
| Public Administration | 1% | 2.6% |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 0.9% | 2.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Auburn University at Montgomery reports the lower average net price by $1,356 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $5,424 difference over four years ($52,896 vs $58,320).
Columbia Southern University reports $19,143 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($63,534 vs $44,391). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 67.6% at Auburn University at Montgomery and 71% at Columbia Southern University. Median federal debt among completers is $25,000 vs $21,339, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Auburn University at Montgomery vs Columbia Southern University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Auburn University at Montgomery is cheaper — average net price $13,224 per year vs $14,580 at Columbia Southern University. The annual difference of $1,356 adds up to about $5,424 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Columbia Southern University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $63,534 vs $44,391 at Auburn University at Montgomery. The gap in the federal data is $19,143. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.