College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

Columbia Southern University Graduation Rate & Retention Rates

26% 4-Year Graduation Rate
46% 6-Year Graduation Rate
62% Retention Rate

Columbia Southern University 2023 Graduation & Retention Report

How long does it take to earn a degree at Columbia Southern University? Find out how many students return after their freshman year, how long it takes to graduate, and what happens to the students who don't.

Columbia Southern University Retention Rate

62% Freshmen Retention Rate
Below Average Retention Rate

The percentage of first-time / full-time students who return for their second year is tracked as the freshmen retention rate.

With 62% students making it past their freshmen year, Columbia Southern University has freshmen retention rates similar to the national average.

Nationwide, the average first to second year retention rate is 70.57%.

When looking at just colleges and universities in Alabama, the average is 66.79%.

Columbia Southern University Retention  62 out of 100
0%
100%
Alabama Retention  67 out of 100
0%
100%
undefined
Retention Rate
Columbia Southern University62%
Nationwide70.57%
Alabama66.79%
Low retention rates may be a signal that a lot of students plan on transferring after a year or two. Is that the case here?

Columbia Southern University Graduation Rates

46% 6-Year Graduation Rate
0.47% Transfer Rate
47.00% Dropout Rate

How many of the estimated 3,931 students in the class of 2015 completed their degree within eight years?

After four years 26% of the cohort graduated. After six years 46% had completed their degree, and 49% after eight years.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, a student is considered to have graduated on time if they complete their degree within six years, making the official Columbia Southern University graduation rate 46%.

How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree at Columbia Southern University? The standard length of time for most students is 4.41 years.

Four Year Graduation Rate  39%
0%
100%
Six Year Graduation Rate  46%
0%
100%
Eight Year Graduation Rate  49%
0%
100%

Columbia Southern University Graduation Rates vs. National Average

undefined

undefined

Completion WithinUndergraduatesPercentage
Four Years3,33739%
Six Years3,93146%
Eight Years2763%
Did Not Complete4,37351%
The non-completers rate is anyone who is not still enrolled at the institution after eight years. Both transfer students and drop-outs could be included in this group.
Request More Info About Columbia Southern University
Request More Info About Columbia Southern University >

Columbia Southern University Drop Out Rate

Approximately 4373 students or 51% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.

What happened to the 4373 students who did not complete their degree?

undefined
Non-CompletionsUndergraduatesPercentage
Still Enrolled290.7%
Transferred400.9%
Dropped Out4,04092.4%

Columbia Southern University Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity

undefined
Race/EthnicityGraduation Rate
American Indian or Alaskan Native38%
Black / African-American19%
Hispanic25%
Multi-Ethnic10%
Unknown21%
White38%

Some Students Take More Time To Graduate

First-time, full-time students, under the age of 25 are known as traditional students. These students are more likely to graduate in four years than so called 'non-traditional' students that includes part-time students, transfer students, or adult learners. Some schools cater to non-traditional students and it may affect their overall graduation rates.

Traditional Students:

First-time, full-time students under the age of 25.

Non-Traditional Students:

Any student that is not first-time, full-time, and under the age of 25.

The majority of students at Columbia Southern University are considered 'traditional students' who are first-time attending full-time.

How does this school do graduating the type of student you are most concerned bout?

First-Time / Full-Time Columbia Southern University Graduation Rates

11% First-Time, Full-Time
32% 6-Year Grad Rate
Low Grad Rate

First-time / full-time students at Columbia Southern University represent 11% of the students in the class of 2015, and 7.35% of Columbia Southern University bachelor's degree graduations.

With a four-year graduation rate of 26%, first-time students in the Columbia Southern University class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.

After six years, the Columbia Southern University graduation rate was 32%, and by the eight year mark, 33% of the cohort had completed their degree.

Nationwide, the average graduation rate for first-time undergraduates attending classes full-time is 37.92% after four years, 46.43% after six years, and 47.82% after eight years.

Four Year Graduation Rate  26 out of 100
0%
100%
Six Year Graduation Rate  32 out of 100
0%
100%
Eight Year Graduation Rate  33 out of 100
0%
100%

Columbia Southern University First-Time / Full-Time Graduation Rate vs. National Average

undefined
First-Time / Full-Time CompletionsColumbia Southern UniversityNationwide
Four Years26%37.92%
Six Years32%46.43%
Eight Years33%47.82%

First-Time / Full-Time Columbia Southern University Drop Out Rates

604 first-time / full-time students or 67% did not complete their degree within eight years.

Of those who did not finish:

undefined
First-Time / Full-Time Non-CompletionsUndergraduatesPercentage
Still Enrolled294.80%
Transferred81.32%
Dropped Out58196.19%

First-Time / Part-Time Graduation Rates

9% First-Time, Part-Time
15% 6-Year Grad Rate
Low Grad Rate

First-time / part-time students at Columbia Southern University represent 8.71% of the students in the class of 2015.

With a six-year graduation rate of 15%, first-time, part-time students in the Columbia Southern University class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.

After eight years, the graduation rate was 18%.

Nationwide, the average graduation rate for first-time undergraduates attending classes part-time is: 14.37% after four years, 21.59% after six years, 23.72% after eight years.

Six Year Graduation Rate  15 out of 100
0%
100%
Eight Year Graduation Rate  18 out of 100
0%
100%

First-Time / Part-Time Columbia Southern University Graduation Rates vs. National Average

undefined
First-Time / Part-Time CompletionsColumbia Southern UniversityNationwide
Four Years10%14.37%
Six Years15%21.59%
Eight Years18%23.72%

First-Time / Part-Time Columbia Southern University Drop Out Rates

615 first-time / part-time students or 82% did not complete their degree within eight years.

Of those who did not finish:

undefined
First-Time / Part-Time Non-CompletionsUndergraduatesPercentage
Still Enrolled294.72%
Transferred30.49%
Dropped Out58394.80%

Non First-Time / Full-Time Students

49% Returning, Full-Time
58% 6-Year Grad Rate
Good Grad Rate

4170 Columbia Southern University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 48.52% of the students in the class of 2015.

Non first-time students could include transfer students or adults who have returned to school after an absense.

With a six year graduation rate of 58%, returning students in the class of 2015 and attended classes full-time had a graduation rate higher than the national average for students in this category.

After eight years, the graduation rate was 61%.

Nationwide, the average graduation rate for non first-time undergraduates attending classes full-time is: 49.57% after four years, 53.83% after six years, and 55.07% after eight years.

Six Year Graduation Rate  58 out of 100
0%
100%
Eight Year Graduation Rate  61 out of 100
0%
100%

Columbia Southern University Non First-Time / Full-Time Graduation Rate vs. National Average

undefined
Returning / Full-Time CompletionsColumbia Southern UniversityNationwide
Four Years0%49.57%
Six Years58%53.83%
Eight Years61%55.07%

Non First-Time / Full-Time Columbia Southern University Drop Out Rates

1624 non first-time / part-time students or 39% did not complete their degree within eight years.

Of those who did not finish:

undefined
First-Time / Part-Time Non-CompletionsUndergraduatesPercentage
Still Enrolled955.85%
Transferred181.11%
Dropped Out1,51193.04%

Non First-Time / Part-Time Graduation Rates

32% Returning, Part-Time
40% 6-Year Grad Rate
Good Grad Rate

2767 Columbia Southern University students were classified as full-time / not first-time. This represents 32.19% of the students in the class of 2015.

With a six year graduation rate of 40%, returning students in the class of 2015 and attended classes full-time had a graduation rate higher than the national average.

After eight years, the graduation rate was 45%.

Nationwide, the average graduation rate for non first-time undergraduates attending classes part-time is: 36.03% after six years, 36.03% after eight years.

Six Year Graduation Rate  40 out of 100
0%
100%
Eight Year Graduation Rate  45 out of 100
0%
100%

Columbia Southern University Non First-Time / Part-Time Graduation Rate vs. National Average

undefined
Returning / Part-Time CompletionsColumbia Southern UniversityNationwide
Four Years0%30.46%
Six Years40%36.03%
Eight Years45%37.80%

Non First-Time / Part-Time Columbia Southern University Drop Out Rates

1530 non first-time / part-time students or 55% did not complete their degree within eight years.

Of those who did not finish:

undefined
Returning / Part-Time Non-CompletionsUndergraduatesPercentage
Still Enrolled15410.07%
Transferred110.72%
Dropped Out1,36589.22%

More Resources:

References

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options