Head-to-head · 2026
Columbia Southern University vs Jacksonville State University
Compare average net price ($14,580 at Columbia Southern University; $14,279 at Jacksonville State University), ROI score (10.89 vs 7.92), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($63,534 vs $45,235), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Columbia Southern University; 77.7% at Jacksonville State 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 | Columbia Southern University | Jacksonville State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.89 ✓ | 7.92 |
| Avg net price | $14,580 | $14,279 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $58,320 | $57,116 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $6,760 | $12,894 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $6,760 | $23,334 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $63,534 ✓ | $45,235 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 77.7% |
| Graduation rate | 33.3% | 54.7% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 71% ✓ | 64.6% |
| Median debt | $21,339 ✓ | $22,189 |
| Enrollment | 12,176 | 7,036 |
| Ownership | Private For-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1059 |
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 | Columbia Southern University | Jacksonville State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $12,913 | $12,472 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $13,455 | $12,622 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,569 | $15,343 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,226 ✓ | $17,480 |
| Family income $110k+ | $17,408 ✓ | $18,183 |
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 | Columbia Southern University | Jacksonville State University |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 33% | 5.8% |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | 20.7% | 1% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 7.4% | 1.6% |
| Homeland Security | 3.6% | 4.8% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2.2% | 5.5% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 1.9% | 1.8% |
| Public Administration | 2.6% | 0.7% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 1.6% | 1.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Jacksonville State University reports the lower average net price by $301 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $1,204 difference over four years ($57,116 vs $58,320).
Columbia Southern University reports $18,299 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($63,534 vs $45,235). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 71% at Columbia Southern University and 64.6% at Jacksonville State University. Median federal debt among completers is $21,339 vs $22,189, 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
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Columbia Southern University vs Jacksonville State University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Jacksonville State University is cheaper — average net price $14,279 per year vs $14,580 at Columbia Southern University. The annual difference of $301 adds up to about $1,204 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Columbia Southern University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $63,534 vs $45,235 at Jacksonville State University. The gap in the federal data is $18,299. 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.