Alabama A & M University vs Columbia Southern University
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Alabama A & M University Normal, AL | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, AL | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Break-even | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | +6% | +378% |
| 10-year net gain | $4,769 | $250,004 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $53,655 | $76,610 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $41,151 | $61,227 |
| Average net price | $17,621 | $14,580 |
| Median debt | $31,000 | $21,339 |
| Break-even | 9.4 yrs | 2.1 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 24% | 33% |
| Admission rate | 58% | — |
Alabama A & M University
Break-even
+$4,769 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
Columbia Southern University
Strong return
+$250,004 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.