Career Training Path › Alabama › Columbia Southern University
Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, Alabama · Private for-profit university · Training programs available:
Address: 21982 University Lane, Orange Beach, AL 36561 · Phone: 25198137711278 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit trade school in Orange Beach, AL offering EMT & paramedic training and medical billing & coding, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, median graduate debt is $21,339 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $63,534; the campus completion rate versus the Alabama state average of 45.5% is not reported.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Columbia Southern University; the school accepts federal financial aid, and about 24.2% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency medical technicians | $28,620 | $37,810 | $44,210 |
| Medical records specialists | $30,250 | $43,810 | $52,040 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Alabama (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 90 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 33 | $29,524 | not reported | $15,886 |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit school located in Orange Beach, Alabama, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The school participates in federal financial aid programs (Title IV), meaning students may use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants to help pay for enrollment. Among its trade and career offerings, the campus's top programs are EMT & paramedic training and medical billing & coding programs, drawing from a broader undergraduate enrollment of 12,176 students.
Federal data shows a state average completion rate of 45.5% for comparable programs in Alabama, though this campus's own completion rate and its comparison to that state average are not reported for this campus in federal data. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $21,339, and median earnings 10 years after entry were reported at $63,534. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 24.2% of students receive Pell Grants, an indicator of the share of lower-income students served.
This campus, located in a fringe town setting, offers a small number of program families — two, focused on emergency medical services and administrative healthcare support. These shorter, credential-focused programs may suit adult learners or career changers looking for a defined path into allied health fields, though specific program lengths are not reported here. Prospective students should verify accreditation status directly with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and review the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard for the most current federal outcome data before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Columbia Southern University offers two program families: EMT & paramedic training and medical billing & coding programs. These are the top programs reported for this campus.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and its accreditation status is listed as Accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants. About 24.2% of students at this campus receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The campus-specific completion rate is not reported for this campus in federal data. The Alabama state average completion rate is 45.5%, but a direct comparison is not reported.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $21,339, per federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $63,534.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at the number or website listed for current tuition information.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit school. This distinction matters because for-profit schools may have different funding structures, tuition rates, and oversight than public or non-profit institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and review outcome data directly on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?450933.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The listed programs, EMT & paramedic training and medical billing & coding, are common paths for career changers entering allied health fields, though specific scheduling or format details for adult learners are not reported in federal data.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing or certification requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly to learn what credentials its EMT or medical billing programs prepare students for.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact Columbia Southern University by phone at 25198137711278 or visit its website at https://www.columbiasouthern.edu/ to learn about applying.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported in federal data for this campus; consult the College Scorecard for information on similar programs in the area.
Nearby trade and career schools in Alabama
- Coastal Alabama Community CollegeBay Minette, AL · 31% completion
- Alabama School of Nail Technology & CosmetologyJackson, AL · 62% completion
- CDL of ALSummerdale, AL
- Washington County Public SchoolsChatom, AL
- George C Wallace State Community College-HancevilleHanceville, AL · 51% completion
- Bevill State Community CollegeJasper, AL · 38% completion
- Gadsden State Community CollegeGadsden, AL · 38% completion
- Northwest Shoals Community CollegeMuscle Shoals, AL · 39% completion
See all trade and career schools in Alabama or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.