GCU vs. Columbia Southern University

Should I go to Grand Canyon University or Columbia Southern University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GCU or Columbia Southern University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Grand Canyon University vs. Columbia Southern University comparison
Grand Canyon University Columbia Southern University College 3 College 4
Grand Canyon University
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Overview

 GCU Columbia Southern University
Location Phoenix, AZ Orange Beach, AL
Setting Large City Distant Rural
Enrollment 101,816 15,948
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status For-profit For-profit
Website gcu.edu columbiasouthern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GCU Columbia Southern University
Tuition (In State) $16,500 $5,880
Tuition (Out of State) $16,500 $5,880
Room & Board $7,800 $8,136
Avg Net Price $21,939 $12,366
Avg Grant Aid $9,662 $4,154
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 42%

Admission

 GCU Columbia Southern University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 29,304 -
Admitted 22,818 -
Acceptance Rate 77.9% Open
Enrolled % 37% Open
Avg High School GPA - -
Typical High School Grades - -
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 GCU Columbia Southern University
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 28:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (56%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (2%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (35%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Engineering Technology (17%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (4%)
  • Health Professions (3%)

Outcomes

 GCU Columbia Southern University
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

Diversity

 GCU Columbia Southern University
% Men 27% 62%
% Women 73% 38%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 48% 58%
% Black 18% 23%
% Hispanic 19% 7%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 6% 7%

Students

 GCU Columbia Southern University
% In-State 25% 8%
% Out-of-State 74% 90%

Campus

 GCU Columbia Southern University
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Grand Canyon University is larger than than Columbia Southern University based on total student enrollment (101,816 students vs. 15,948 students)

GCU vs. Columbia Southern University Cost Comparison

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

  • Grand Canyon University is 180.6% more expensive to attend than Columbia Southern University for in-state tuition ($16,500.00 vs. $5,880.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 180.6% higher at GCU than Columbia Southern University ($16,500.00 vs. $5,880.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia Southern University than GCU ($12,366 vs. $21,939)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Canyon University are 4.3% lower than costs at Columbia Southern University ($7,800 vs. $8,136)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Grand Canyon University than Columbia Southern University (98% vs. 42%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Grand Canyon University students is 132.6% larger than aid received Columbia Southern University ($9,662 vs. $4,154)

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 than 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/