Waldorf University vs Columbia Southern University

Waldorf University and Columbia Southern University, while both offering a range of academic programs and opportunities, present distinct differences that may influence your higher education journey. Waldorf University, a private institution in Forest City, Iowa, boasts a smaller student body and a higher acceptance rate compared to Columbia Southern University, an online university based in Orange Beach, Alabama. While Waldorf excels in liberal arts and education programs, Columbia Southern shines in business and healthcare fields. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further distinctions, including graduation rates, student demographics, and additional factors that can help you make an informed decision about your academic pursuits.

	Columbia Southern University	Waldorf University
Overview
Location	Orange Beach, Alabama	Forest City, Iowa
Campus setting	Town: Fringe	Town: Remote
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (For Profit)	Private (For Profit)
Calendar system	Non Traditional	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	40.0%	46.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	Open Admission	72.3%
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		1,097
Total number of admissions given out		793
Admitted students who chose to enroll		192
Yield rate		24.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	Not required	N/A
High school GPA	N/A	Required
Recommendation letters	N/A	Not required
High school transcript	N/A	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	N/A	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$19,177	$36,380
Average net price	$12,474	$21,483
Tuition	$5,640	$22,434
Room & board		$8,062
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	56.0% Average amount $3,123	95.0% Average amount $14,314
Students receiving federal student loan	41.0% Average amount $5,701	73.0% Average amount $5,263
Students taking out private loans	0.0% Average amount $0	10.0% Average amount $10,090

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	11,672 Men 65.2% Women 34.8%	2,088 Men 61.5% Women 38.5%
Graduate students	4,740 Men 53.9% Women 46.1%	432 Men 62.3% Women 37.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	0.0%	2.0%
Campus local/setting	Town: Fringe	Town: Remote
Dormitory capacity	N/A	591
First year students are required to live on campus?	N/A	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	N/A

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

Outcome
Graduation rate	33.4%	31.2%
Dropout rate	57.6%	62.3%
Transferred out	2.2%	6.5%
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	Fire Protection (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,071 Year 2: $74,200 Year 3: $77,816 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,915 Year 2: $37,208 Year 3: $46,542 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $30,024 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,470 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,975 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $31,432 Year 2: $35,954 Year 3: N/A Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,817 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Fire Protection (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $67,267 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Homeland Security (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,510 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,459 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Waldorf University and Columbia Southern University?

Waldorf University offers a more traditional college experience with a residential campus in Forest City, Iowa, and a blend of on-campus and online programs. Columbia Southern University (CSU) is primarily an online institution catering to working adults and offering a wide range of career-focused programs. Waldorf emphasizes a liberal arts foundation alongside professional studies, while CSU focuses on practical, career-relevant skills and knowledge.
Which university is better for online learning?

Columbia Southern University is generally considered a stronger choice for online learning due to its established infrastructure and extensive experience in delivering online programs. They offer a wider variety of fully online degree options and have a student body primarily composed of online learners. While Waldorf University also offers online programs, it maintains a stronger focus on its on-campus offerings.
Where are Waldorf University and Columbia Southern University located?

Waldorf University is located in Forest City, Iowa, offering a traditional campus environment. Columbia Southern University does not have a physical campus in the traditional sense; it is headquartered in Orange Beach, Alabama, but operates primarily online.
What types of programs do Waldorf University and Columbia Southern University offer?

Waldorf University offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including liberal arts, business, education, and communications, with both on-campus and online options. Columbia Southern University focuses on career-oriented programs such as business administration, criminal justice, fire science, occupational safety and health, and information technology, primarily at the undergraduate and graduate levels, delivered online.
Which university is more affordable?

Generally, Columbia Southern University tends to be more affordable, particularly for online programs. Their tuition structure is often designed to be accessible to working adults. Waldorf University, with its residential campus and broader range of services, may have a higher overall cost, especially when considering room and board for on-campus students. It's best to check the current tuition rates for specific programs at both institutions to make an accurate comparison.
What is the student body like at Waldorf University and Columbia Southern University?

Waldorf University has a more traditional student body, with a mix of residential and online students, including recent high school graduates and adult learners. Columbia Southern University primarily serves working adults and non-traditional students seeking to advance their careers through online education. CSU's student body is typically older and more geographically diverse.
What is the accreditation status of Waldorf University and Columbia Southern University?

Both Waldorf University and Columbia Southern University are accredited institutions. Waldorf University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Columbia Southern University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Accreditation ensures that the institutions meet certain standards of quality and academic rigor.
Which university is better for a traditional college experience?

Waldorf University is the better choice for a traditional college experience. It offers a residential campus, extracurricular activities, sports teams, and a more immersive campus environment. Columbia Southern University, being primarily online, does not offer a traditional campus experience.
What are the career services like at Waldorf University and Columbia Southern University?

Waldorf University offers career services typical of a traditional university, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job placement assistance, primarily geared towards on-campus students. Columbia Southern University provides career resources tailored to online learners, such as resume building tools, job boards, and career advice relevant to their career-focused programs. Both institutions aim to support their students in achieving their career goals.
Which university is better for someone already working full-time?

Columbia Southern University is generally better suited for individuals working full-time due to its flexible online programs and asynchronous learning format. This allows students to study at their own pace and on their own schedule, making it easier to balance work, family, and education. While Waldorf University offers some online programs, its on-campus focus may make it less convenient for full-time workers.

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