Columbia Southern University vs Troy University
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, AL | Troy University Troy, AL | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Break-even |
| 10-year ROI | +378% | +24% |
| 10-year net gain | $250,004 | $18,002 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $76,610 | $54,322 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $61,227 | $44,005 |
| Average net price | $14,580 | $16,527 |
| Median debt | $21,339 | $25,000 |
| Break-even | 2.1 yrs | 8.1 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 33% | 50% |
| Admission rate | — | 96% |
Columbia Southern University
Strong return
+$250,004 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Troy University
Break-even
+$18,002 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.