About
Columbia Southern University is a DEAC-accredited online university known for occupational safety, emergency services and business degrees.
About Columbia Southern University
Columbia Southern University (CSU) is a private, online university based in Orange Beach, Alabama. Founded in 1993, it is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).
CSU is particularly known for programs in occupational safety and health, emergency management, fire science and criminal justice, along with business, health care administration and IT. It offers associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.
Programs and Degrees at Columbia Southern University
These are some of the subject areas Columbia Southern is known for. Each link lets you compare similar programs at other accredited schools:
- Emergency management and fire science: compare emergency services and public safety programs
- Criminal justice: compare criminal justice programs
- Business: compare online business degrees
- MBA and graduate business: compare online MBA programs
- Healthcare administration: compare healthcare administration programs
- Computer science and IT: compare online computer and IT degrees
- Human resources: compare human resources programs
- Public administration and government: compare government and public administration programs
Online Learning and Student Support
Columbia Southern offers flexible enrollment, with terms starting monthly, and a self-paced option for some programs. It partners with fire departments, police agencies and employers to offer tuition discounts and is popular with military and first-responder students.
Columbia Southern Reviews and Guides on Learn.org
- Columbia Southern reviews: student experience, tuition and program details
- Is Columbia Southern University a good college?
Admissions and Getting Started at Columbia Southern
Admission requirements at Columbia Southern depend on the program and whether you are a first-year, transfer or graduate applicant. First-year applicants typically submit high school transcripts and an application, while adult and transfer students can often apply credits from previous colleges, military training or professional certifications. Learn more about transferring college credits and how to apply to an online college.
Paying for Columbia Southern
Students at accredited schools such as Columbia Southern may qualify for federal financial aid, including Pell Grants and federal student loans, by filing the FAFSA. Start with our financial aid guides and scholarship resources, and check whether your employer offers tuition reimbursement. Service members, veterans and their families can also review college options for active-duty military and veterans. Always confirm current tuition and fees directly with the school, since prices change each year.
Frequently Asked Questions About Columbia Southern
Is Columbia Southern accredited?
Yes. Columbia Southern University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). National and specialized accreditors focus on career-oriented and distance education schools. Before you enroll, ask how credits transfer to the schools you might attend later.
How do I request information from Columbia Southern?
Use the request information form on this page, or search accredited programs to compare Columbia Southern with similar schools before you reach out to admissions.
Is Columbia Southern Right for You?
Before you apply, it helps to see how Columbia Southern stacks up against other accredited schools. Use the Learn.org degree finder to filter programs by degree level, subject and online availability, then request information from the schools that fit your goals, or browse the best online colleges in Alabama.
