GCU vs. Columbia Southern University

Should I go to Grand Canyon University or Columbia Southern University? Compare the two schools' costs, SAT, ACT, GPA, admissions criteria and outcomes to help you determine if GCU or Columbia Southern University is the better college for you.

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Grand Canyon University vs. Columbia Southern University comparison
Grand Canyon University Columbia Southern University College 3 College 4
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Location Phoenix, AZ Orange Beach, AL
Setting Large City Distant Rural
Students 90,253 21,104
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status For-profit For-profit

Costs
Tuition (In State) $16,500 $5,520
Tuition (Out of State) $16,500 $5,520
Room & Board $7,800 $6,844
Avg Net Price $21,332 $10,951
Avg Grant Aid $9,933 $3,552
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 92%

Admission and Academics
Acceptance Rate 76.9% Open
Avg High School GPA - -
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Application Deadline Aug 22, 2020

Outcomes
Graduation Rate 31% 22%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,300 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 32% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,750 $16,404
Median Loan Payment $193 $169
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Comparable Facts

  • Grand Canyon University is larger than than Columbia Southern University based on total student enrollment (90,253 students vs. 21,104 students)

GCU vs. Columbia Southern University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GCU or Columbia Southern University?

  • Grand Canyon University is 198.9% more expensive to attend than Columbia Southern University for in-state tuition ($16,500.00 vs. $5,520.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 198.9% higher at GCU than Columbia Southern University ($16,500.00 vs. $5,520.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia Southern University than GCU ($10,951 vs. $21,332)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia Southern University are 14% lower than costs at Grand Canyon University ($6,844 vs. $7,800)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Grand Canyon University than Columbia Southern University (99% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Grand Canyon University students is 179.6% larger than aid received Columbia Southern University ($9,933 vs. $3,552)

Which college is harder to get into, GCU or Columbia Southern University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia Southern University or GCU .

GCU vs. Columbia Southern University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GCU or Columbia Southern University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Columbia Southern University and GCU.

  • The graduation rate at GCU is higher that Columbia Southern University (31% vs. 22%)
  • Columbia Southern University students graduate with a $2,346 lower median federal student loan debt than GCU graduates. ($16,404 vs. $18,750)
  • Columbia Southern University graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than GCU graduates. ($169 vs. $193)
  • More Columbia Southern University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GCU students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 32%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/