Location
- American Public University System
- Charles Town, WV
- Columbia Southern University
- Orange Beach, AL
American Public University System vs Columbia Southern University
Charles Town, WV · Orange Beach, AL · largest Scorecard gap: median earnings (6 yr)
Scorecard match plate
Pair WV:AL
FOR-PROFIT-PAIR · CROSS-STATE · NET-SPLIT · EARN-SPLIT · DEBT-PAR · COMPLETE-GAP · GAP-EARN
- FOR-PROFIT-PAIR For-profit pair
- CROSS-STATE WV × AL
- NET-SPLIT Net-price split
- EARN-SPLIT Earnings split
- DEBT-PAR Debt near-par
- COMPLETE-GAP Completion gap
- GAP-EARN Largest gap · Median Earnings (6 yr)
Instrument codes from this pair's College Scorecard ownership, geography, acceptance, net price, earnings, debt, and completion, plus the NET-SPLIT · 2013–2023 decade-path stamp below, not a ranking or recommendation.
Decade path · College Scorecard
Net-price paths do not share a shape
NET-SPLIT · 2013–2023
One school has a directional average-net-price path over 2013–2023; the other sits in a measured range (or the two move opposite ways). Cost gaps on this board are moving targets.
- Columbia Southern University: average net price rose +48.5% from $10,084 (2013) to $14,975 (2023), r² 0.68.
- American Public University System: net price ranged $9,095–$11,262 across 11 years (2013–2023); endpoint change +0.1% is not a trend (r² 0.01).
- American Public University System: enrollment ranged 35,656–44,924 (2013–2023, 11 points) without a stable fitted direction.
- Columbia Southern University: enrollment shrank -11.1% over 2013–2023; fitted -366 students/yr fitted, r² 0.64.
College Scorecard institution series; dollars are nominal. Direction claims require r² ≥ 0.40 on the fitted annual slope, otherwise the page reports the observed range. Descriptive history, not a recommendation.
Scorecard metrics
Undergraduate Enrollment
- Columbia Southern University
- 12,176
Median Earnings (6 yr)
- Columbia Southern University
- $55,140
150%-Time Completion
Avg Net Price
- Columbia Southern University
- $14,580
Median Earnings (10 yr)
- Columbia Southern University
- $63,534
Retention Rate
In-State Tuition
- Columbia Southern University
- $6,760
Out-of-State Tuition
- Columbia Southern University
- $6,760
Median Debt at Graduation
- Columbia Southern University
- $21,339
Cards ordered by relative gap on this pair. Teal = better side.
| Metric | American Public University System Charles Town, WV | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Charles Town, WV | Orange Beach, AL |
| Undergraduate Enrollment | 40,074 | 12,176 |
| Median Earnings (6 yr) | $32,917 | $55,140 |
| 150%-Time Completion | 55.2% | 35.3% |
| Avg Net Price | $9,597 | $14,580 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $44,409 | $63,534 |
| Retention Rate | 97.1% | 71.0% |
| In-State Tuition | $8,400 | $6,760 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $8,400 | $6,760 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,743 | $21,339 |
Largest gaps: American Public University System vs Columbia Southern University
- MEDIAN-EARNINGS-(6 Columbia Southern University leads on median earnings (6 yr) ($55,140 vs $32,917 at American Public University System)
- 150%-TIME-COMPLETI American Public University System leads on 150%-time completion (55.2% vs 35.3% at Columbia Southern University)
- AVG-NET-PRICE American Public University System leads on avg net price ($9,597 vs $14,580 at Columbia Southern University)
American Public University System profile · Columbia Southern University profile · Compare other colleges
Median Earnings (6 yr) and other Scorecard questions
On median earnings (6 yr), who leads between American Public University System and Columbia Southern University?▼
Columbia Southern University leads on median earnings (6 yr) at $55,140 versus $32,917 at American Public University System. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
On 150%-time completion, who leads between American Public University System and Columbia Southern University?▼
American Public University System leads on 150%-time completion at 55.2% versus 35.3% at Columbia Southern University. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
On avg net price, who leads between American Public University System and Columbia Southern University?▼
American Public University System leads on avg net price at $9,597 versus $14,580 at Columbia Southern University. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard College Scorecard institution outcomes (earnings, completion, debt); median earnings (6 yr) focus for this pair · 2025