Columbia Southern University vs Liberty University

Columbia Southern University and Liberty University, both reputable institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Columbia Southern, a private, for-profit university, boasts a 100% acceptance rate, making it an accessible option for students from diverse backgrounds. Liberty University, a private, non-profit Christian university, has a more selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 58%. While Columbia Southern primarily offers online programs, Liberty University provides both online and on-campus options. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover further differences in popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your academic goals and preferences.

	Columbia Southern University	Liberty University
Overview
Location	Orange Beach, Alabama	Lynchburg, Virginia
Campus setting	Town: Fringe	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (For Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Non Traditional	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	40.0%	79.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation		Evangelical

Admission
Acceptance rate	Open Admission	99.3%
Application fees		Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants		28,448
Total number of admissions given out		28,244
Admitted students who chose to enroll		5,461
Yield rate		19.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	Not required	N/A
High school GPA	N/A	Required
Recommendation letters	N/A	Not required
High school transcript	N/A	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	N/A	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$19,177	$42,620
Average net price	$12,474	$27,891
Tuition	$5,640	$21,663
Room & board		Room/dormitory: $6,150 Meal plan: $4,560
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	56.0% Average amount $3,123	89.0% Average amount $12,431
Students receiving federal student loan	41.0% Average amount $5,701	52.0% Average amount $5,619
Students taking out private loans	0.0% Average amount $0	9.0% Average amount $17,351

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	11,672 Men 65.2% Women 34.8%	47,696 Men 43.0% Women 57.0%
Graduate students	4,740 Men 53.9% Women 46.1%	47,013 Men 38.7% Women 61.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	76.0%
International students	0.0%	0.7%
Campus local/setting	Town: Fringe	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	N/A	8,222
First year students are required to live on campus?	N/A	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	Virginia North Carolina Pennsylvania Texas Florida

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Law Enforcement and Firefighting Engineering Technologies Health Professions Computer and Information Science	Education Business Health Professions Psychology Theology
Students to faculty ratio	31:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	33.4%	62.1%
Dropout rate	57.6%	30.2%
Transferred out	2.2%	5.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $79,983 Year 2: $68,880 Year 3: $78,451 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,300 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $75,520 Homeland Security (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $75,707 Year 2: $71,473 Year 3: $73,060 Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,385 Year 2: $67,304 Year 3: $72,485 Fire Protection (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,128 Year 2: $69,691 Year 3: $71,770 Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $71,839 Year 2: $69,785 Year 3: $67,888 Fire Protection (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $66,269 Year 2: $61,922 Year 3: $65,587 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $47,097 Year 2: $58,092 Year 3: $62,377 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,105 Year 2: $62,260 Year 3: $59,697 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $60,526 Year 2: $58,990 Year 3: $59,493	Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,316 Year 2: $62,012 Year 3: $91,964 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,385 Year 2: $80,964 Year 3: $87,831 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,657 Year 2: $68,219 Year 3: $77,205 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,410 Year 2: $72,022 Year 3: $73,900 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,556 Year 2: $51,106 Year 3: $65,313 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,731 Year 2: $62,936 Year 3: $64,580 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,576 Year 2: $57,705 Year 3: $62,807 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $60,423 Year 2: $57,714 Year 3: $62,225 Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $40,885 Year 2: $56,415 Year 3: $62,169 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $58,240 Year 2: $59,895 Year 3: $61,052

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Columbia Southern University (CSU) and Liberty University?

Columbia Southern University primarily focuses on online education tailored for working adults, offering flexible self-paced programs. Liberty University, while also offering extensive online programs, has a strong residential campus and a broader range of academic and extracurricular activities, including a significant emphasis on a Christian worldview integrated into its curriculum.
Which university, CSU or Liberty, is more affordable?

Generally, Columbia Southern University tends to be more affordable, particularly for undergraduate programs. Liberty University's tuition can vary depending on the program and whether it's online or residential. It's best to compare the specific program costs you're interested in on each university's website.
Do CSU and Liberty University offer similar degree programs?

Both universities offer a wide range of degree programs, including business, criminal justice, and healthcare-related fields. However, Liberty University has a broader selection of programs, especially in areas like theology, aviation, and law. CSU specializes in career-focused programs designed for immediate application in the workplace.
How does the learning experience differ between CSU and Liberty University's online programs?

CSU's online programs are primarily self-paced, allowing students to progress at their own speed. Liberty University's online programs offer a mix of asynchronous and synchronous learning opportunities, potentially including live lectures and scheduled assignments, providing a more structured online experience.
What is the religious affiliation of CSU and Liberty University?

Columbia Southern University is a secular institution with no religious affiliation. Liberty University is a private Christian university that integrates Christian principles into its curriculum and campus life.
Which university, CSU or Liberty, has a stronger focus on career advancement?

Both universities aim to enhance career prospects for their students. However, Columbia Southern University is particularly focused on providing practical, career-oriented education for working professionals seeking to advance in their current fields or transition to new ones. Liberty University also emphasizes career preparation, but within a broader educational context that includes personal and spiritual development.
What kind of student support services do CSU and Liberty University offer?

Both CSU and Liberty University provide comprehensive student support services, including academic advising, career counseling, library resources, and technical support. Liberty University also offers spiritual support services and resources related to its Christian mission.
How do the accreditation statuses of CSU and Liberty University compare?

Both Columbia Southern University and Liberty University are regionally accredited, which is a widely recognized standard of academic quality. Regional accreditation ensures that credits are more likely to transfer to other institutions and that the degrees are recognized by employers.
Does either CSU or Liberty University offer on-campus housing?

Columbia Southern University is primarily an online institution and does not offer on-campus housing. Liberty University has a large residential campus with a variety of housing options for students.
Which university is better for someone seeking a traditional college experience?

Liberty University is the better choice for someone seeking a traditional college experience with a residential campus, extracurricular activities, and a strong sense of community. Columbia Southern University is designed for students who need a flexible, online learning environment and are less concerned with a traditional campus experience.

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