Head-to-head · 2026
Columbia Southern University vs Marion Military Institute
Compare average net price ($14,580 at Columbia Southern University; $8,627 at Marion Military Institute), ROI score (10.89 vs 17.28), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($63,534 vs $59,644), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Columbia Southern University; 97% at Marion Military Institute) 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 | Marion Military Institute |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.89 | 17.28 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $14,580 | $8,627 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $58,320 | $34,508 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $6,760 | $9,538 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $6,760 | $15,538 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $63,534 ✓ | $59,644 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 97% |
| Graduation rate | 33.3% | 36% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 71% ✓ | 46.2% |
| Median debt | $21,339 | $9,250 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 12,176 | 329 |
| Ownership | Private For-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1068 |
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 | Marion Military Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $12,913 | $7,471 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $13,455 | $8,562 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,569 | $8,584 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,226 | $10,914 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $17,408 | $12,230 ✓ |
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 | Marion Military Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2.2% | 100% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Marion Military Institute reports the lower average net price by $5,953 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $23,812 difference over four years ($34,508 vs $58,320).
Columbia Southern University reports $3,890 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($63,534 vs $59,644). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 71% at Columbia Southern University and 46.2% at Marion Military Institute. Median federal debt among completers is $21,339 vs $9,250, respectively.
1 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.
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Frequently asked
Columbia Southern University vs Marion Military Institute, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Marion Military Institute is cheaper — average net price $8,627 per year vs $14,580 at Columbia Southern University. The annual difference of $5,953 adds up to about $23,812 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Columbia Southern University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $63,534 vs $59,644 at Marion Military Institute. The gap in the federal data is $3,890. 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.