American Public University System vs Columbia Southern
Side by side: Mass and confession times, faith grades, academics, cost after aid and outcomes.
American Public University SystemCharles Town, WVCatholic life on campusColumbia Southern UniversityOrange Beach, ALCatholic life on campus
At a glance
- American Public University System has the higher graduation rate: 57% against 33% at Columbia Southern.
- For families earning $48,001 to $75,000, American Public University System has the lower price after aid: $8,951 a year, against $15,569 at Columbia Southern.
- The average price after aid is lower at American Public University System: $9,597 a year, against $14,580 at Columbia Southern.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are higher at Columbia Southern: $63,534, against $44,409 at American Public University System.
The college
Control
Private for-profit
Private for-profit
Location
Charles Town, WV
Orange Beach, AL
Setting
Town
Town
Students
50,187
18,487
Academics
Academic Excellence grade
DAcademic Excellence: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
FAcademic Excellence: Minimal (grade F): 0 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Graduation rate
57%
33%
First-year retention
97%
71%
Cost and outcomes
Average net price a year
$9,597
$14,580
Net price, up to $30,000 income
$9,335
$12,913
Net price, $30,001–$48,000 income
$9,766
$13,455
Net price, $48,001–$75,000 income
$8,951
$15,569
Net price, $75,001–$110,000 income
$15,559
$16,226
Net price, over $110,000 income
$17,408
Median debt
$21,743
$21,339
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$44,409
$63,534
The grades and the Compass Score are Catholic School Compass ratings from documented sources; each college’s page lists its sources. Cost, admission, graduation, earnings and debt are federal data. This page does not rank the two colleges.
American Public University System · Columbia Southern University