Columbia Southern University vs Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)

Columbia Southern University and Southern New Hampshire University, both reputable online institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Columbia Southern boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it more accessible to students, while Southern New Hampshire has a slightly higher graduation rate, indicating a strong commitment to student success. Columbia Southern's popular majors include business, criminal justice, and healthcare, catering to students seeking career-oriented programs. Southern New Hampshire, on the other hand, offers a wider range of majors, including liberal arts, education, and engineering, appealing to students with diverse academic interests. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences, such as student body demographics, tuition fees, and available financial aid options, to help you make an informed decision about your educational journey.

	Columbia Southern University	Southern New Hampshire University
Overview
Location	Orange Beach, Alabama	Manchester, New Hampshire
Campus setting	Town: Fringe	Suburb: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (For Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Non Traditional	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	40.0%	62.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	Open Admission	92.1%
Application fees
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants		27,953
Total number of admissions given out		25,736
Admitted students who chose to enroll		10,607
Yield rate		41.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	Not required	N/A
High school GPA	N/A	Required
Recommendation letters	N/A	Required
High school transcript	N/A	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	N/A	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$19,177	$38,518
Average net price	$12,474	$21,502
Tuition	$5,640	$15,000
Room & board		Room/dormitory: $8,000 Meal plan: $4,200
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	56.0% Average amount $3,123	79.0% Average amount $6,006
Students receiving federal student loan	41.0% Average amount $5,701	50.0% Average amount $5,176
Students taking out private loans	0.0% Average amount $0	0.0% Average amount $7,258

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	11,672 Men 65.2% Women 34.8%	121,884 Men 36.8% Women 63.2%
Graduate students	4,740 Men 53.9% Women 46.1%	23,649 Men 31.9% Women 68.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	93.2%
International students	0.0%	0.6%
Campus local/setting	Town: Fringe	Suburb: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	N/A	1,934
First year students are required to live on campus?	N/A	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	Texas New Hampshire Pennsylvania California Georgia

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Law Enforcement and Firefighting Engineering Technologies Health Professions Computer and Information Science	Business Health Professions Psychology Liberal Arts Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	31:1	24:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	33.4%	39.1%
Dropout rate	57.6%	34.5%
Transferred out	2.2%	24.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $79,983 Year 2: $68,880 Year 3: $78,451 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,300 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $75,520 Homeland Security (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $75,707 Year 2: $71,473 Year 3: $73,060 Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,385 Year 2: $67,304 Year 3: $72,485 Fire Protection (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,128 Year 2: $69,691 Year 3: $71,770 Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $71,839 Year 2: $69,785 Year 3: $67,888 Fire Protection (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $66,269 Year 2: $61,922 Year 3: $65,587 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $47,097 Year 2: $58,092 Year 3: $62,377 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,105 Year 2: $62,260 Year 3: $59,697 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $60,526 Year 2: $58,990 Year 3: $59,493	Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $75,875 Year 2: $83,177 Year 3: $94,544 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,753 Year 2: $73,898 Year 3: $77,504 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $67,717 Year 2: $69,218 Year 3: $76,866 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $67,435 Year 2: $68,219 Year 3: $72,152 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,002 Year 2: $61,218 Year 3: $69,749 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $64,617 Year 2: $65,734 Year 3: $68,411 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,193 Year 2: $60,320 Year 3: $68,398 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $52,944 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $65,098 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $61,847 Year 2: $58,622 Year 3: $63,145 Human Resources Management and Services (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $54,435 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $61,662

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Columbia Southern University (CSU) and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)?

Columbia Southern University (CSU) primarily focuses on online education with an emphasis on career-focused programs, particularly in fields like occupational safety and health, and business. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) also offers extensive online programs but has a larger on-campus presence and a broader range of academic disciplines, including liberal arts and humanities, alongside its career-oriented programs. SNHU is generally considered to have a stronger national brand recognition.
Which university, CSU or SNHU, is more affordable?

Generally, Columbia Southern University (CSU) tends to be more affordable than Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). CSU often has lower tuition rates, especially for its undergraduate programs. However, it's crucial to compare the specific program costs you're interested in, as tuition can vary based on the degree level and program type at both institutions. Always check the latest tuition information on their respective websites.
What types of programs do CSU and SNHU specialize in?

Columbia Southern University (CSU) is known for its specialized programs in occupational safety and health, fire science, and business administration. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers a wider array of programs, including business, education, healthcare, and technology, with a growing emphasis on data analytics and cybersecurity. SNHU also has a more robust selection of liberal arts programs.
How do the online learning experiences compare between CSU and SNHU?

Both Columbia Southern University (CSU) and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offer robust online learning platforms. SNHU's online platform is often praised for its user-friendliness and interactive elements, including virtual simulations and collaborative projects. CSU's online platform is more straightforward and focuses on delivering course content efficiently, often catering to working professionals who need a flexible learning environment. Both offer asynchronous learning options.
Which university, CSU or SNHU, has better accreditation?

Both Columbia Southern University (CSU) and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) hold regional accreditation, which is the gold standard in accreditation. SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), and CSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Regional accreditation ensures that the universities meet rigorous standards of quality and academic integrity.
What kind of student support services do CSU and SNHU offer?

Both Columbia Southern University (CSU) and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) provide a range of student support services, including academic advising, career services, and technical support. SNHU is known for its proactive student support model, with dedicated advisors who reach out to students regularly. CSU also offers comprehensive support, but it may require students to be more proactive in seeking assistance. Both offer online libraries and writing centers.
How do the career services at CSU and SNHU compare?

Both Columbia Southern University (CSU) and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offer career services to help students with job searching, resume writing, and interview skills. SNHU's career services are often considered more extensive, with a larger network of employer partners and more frequent career fairs and workshops. CSU's career services are tailored to its career-focused programs, providing resources specific to industries like occupational safety and health.
Which university, CSU or SNHU, is better for working adults?

Both Columbia Southern University (CSU) and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) are well-suited for working adults. CSU's flexible online programs and asynchronous learning options cater specifically to busy professionals. SNHU also offers flexible online programs and a supportive learning environment, making it a good choice for working adults seeking a broader range of academic options and a more interactive online experience. The best choice depends on the individual's specific needs and preferences.
Does the location of the university matter if I'm taking online classes?

While both Columbia Southern University (CSU) and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) primarily serve online students, the location can still be relevant. SNHU's physical campus in New Hampshire might be beneficial if you prefer occasional on-campus resources or networking opportunities. CSU's location in Alabama is less relevant for online students, as its focus is primarily on distance learning. However, accreditation region can be important for some employers or further education opportunities.
What is the application process like for CSU and SNHU?

The application processes for both Columbia Southern University (CSU) and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) are relatively straightforward, especially for online programs. SNHU generally requires transcripts and may require standardized test scores (though this is becoming less common). CSU typically has a more streamlined application process, often with a focus on prior learning assessment and work experience. Check each university's website for the most up-to-date requirements.

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