Head-to-head · 2026
Columbia Southern University vs University of Alabama at Birmingham
Compare average net price ($14,580 at Columbia Southern University; $18,749 at University of Alabama at Birmingham), ROI score (10.89 vs 7.27), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($63,534 vs $54,501), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Columbia Southern University; 88.2% at University of Alabama at Birmingham) 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 | University of Alabama at Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.89 ✓ | 7.27 |
| Avg net price | $14,580 ✓ | $18,749 |
| 4-year avg net price | $58,320 ✓ | $74,996 |
| In-state tuition | $6,760 | $9,098 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $6,760 | $22,562 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $63,534 ✓ | $54,501 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 88.2% |
| Graduation rate | 33.3% | 64.2% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 71% | 80.1% ✓ |
| Median debt | $21,339 ✓ | $22,300 |
| Enrollment | 12,176 | 11,635 |
| Ownership | Private For-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1258 |
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 | University of Alabama at Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $12,913 ✓ | $16,172 |
| Family income $30–48k | $13,455 ✓ | $15,500 |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,569 ✓ | $19,161 |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,226 ✓ | $21,805 |
| Family income $110k+ | $17,408 ✓ | $22,597 |
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 | University of Alabama at Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 33% | 6.5% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 7.4% | 1.5% |
| Public Health | 1.4% | 7.4% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 3.6% | 3.8% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2.2% | 1.5% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| Public Administration | 2.6% | 0.6% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 1.9% | 1.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Columbia Southern University reports the lower average net price by $4,169 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $16,676 difference over four years ($58,320 vs $74,996).
Columbia Southern University reports $9,033 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($63,534 vs $54,501). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 71% at Columbia Southern University and 80.1% at University of Alabama at Birmingham. Median federal debt among completers is $21,339 vs $22,300, 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
Columbia Southern University vs University of Alabama at Birmingham, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Columbia Southern University is cheaper — average net price $14,580 per year vs $18,749 at University of Alabama at Birmingham. The annual difference of $4,169 adds up to about $16,676 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Columbia Southern University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $63,534 vs $54,501 at University of Alabama at Birmingham. The gap in the federal data is $9,033. 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.