Tuition & Financing

When comparing quality and cost – CSU is your best option. Our tuition is competitively priced to make achieving a quality education affordable and realistic for the average person.
Tuition Rate
(Per Credit Hour)
Undergraduate
$200.00
Graduate *
$265.00
Doctorate
$300.00

* The tuition rate for graduate courses per-credit hour is $250 for all active-duty Military Servicemembers. The lower rate is offered to keep the tuition rate at the DoD cap of $250.

Tuition and fees are payable in U.S. funds. CSU accepts checks, money orders, and credit cards.

Book Grant/Loan-a-Book Program

Textbooks are provided at no cost through the Columbia Southern University Book Grant or Loan-A-Book Program. Columbia Southern University determines whether the Book Grant or Loan-A-Book program is used for each course. Books may be new or used.

  • Loan-A-Book: If the Loan-A-Book program is used for a course, instructions for returning the text will be provided. All books provided through this program must be returned to Columbia Southern University. Students will be charged for textbooks not returned
  • Book Grant: Textbooks are provided at no cost through CSU Book Grant as long as the student successfully completes the course. When a student drops, withdraws, or fails a course, a charge for the textbook and shipping will be posted to the student’s account. The student may return the text within 30 days to have the charge reversed. Alternatively, the student may re-enroll in the same course and indicate on the Course Retake Form that the previously provided text will be used. As long as the Enrollment Agreement is submitted within 30 days of the drop/withdrawal or failure, the text charge will be reversed. Upon submission of the Drop/Withdrawal Form at the CSU Student Center, a Textbook Return Form will be provided for printing and enclosing with the returned text. Students who return textbooks without proper paper work to identify themselves will not receive credit for the return. Students who do not return text and do not pay the text charge may not be allowed to enroll in future courses.

Federal Financial Aid

Federal Financial Aid, also known as Federal Student Aid, offers grant and loan programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education. CSU participates in several grant and loan programs available through Federal Student Aid. Most CSU students who meet the following criteria may be eligible to receive financial aid.

  • U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen
  • Enrolled in an Eligible Degree Program
  • Enrolled on at least Half-Time Status

Military Educational Benefits

CSU is approved to offer DANTES, Tuition Assistance (TA) and Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits.  Additional education funding is available to those approved for TA and eligible for MGIB-Active Duty benefits. In most cases, these benefits cover the entire cost of your program.  You can complete seven undergraduate courses or six graduate courses annually without exceeding the Department of Defense (DoD) annual ceiling of $4,500.  The CSU tuition rate for undergraduate and graduate courses is below the DoD semester hour cap of $250.

All Service members receive an application fee waiver. Immediate family members of Active Duty Service members will receive the waiver and a ten percent tuition discount.

Robert G. Mayes Memorial Alumni Scholarship

Established in loving memory of Dr. Robert Mayes (1945 - 2005), CSU founder and president, the Robert G. Mayes Memorial Scholarship $5,000 alumni scholarship is awarded annually to a CSU graduate.  Candidates must have graduated from CSU with a cumulative grade point average of 3.8 or higher to be eligible for consideration.  You must also complete the scholarship application accompanied by a 300-word essay and letter of recommendation from a CSU faculty member. 

 


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