CofC vs. Columbia International University

Should I go to College of Charleston or Columbia International University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CofC or Columbia International University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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College of Charleston vs. Columbia International University comparison
College of Charleston Columbia International University College 3 College 4
College of Charleston
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Overview

CofC Columbia International University
Location Charleston, SC Columbia, SC
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 11,729 2,631
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #435 #867
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cofc.edu ciu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CofC Columbia International University
Tuition (In State) $12,518 $26,700
Tuition (Out of State) $36,398 $26,700
Room & Board $14,032 $11,950
Avg Net Price $20,806 $21,320
Avg Grant Aid $9,811 $18,883
% Receiving Grant Aid 81% 96%

Admission

CofC Columbia International University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 26,683 372
Admitted 19,212 363
Acceptance Rate 72% 97.6%
Enrolled % 13.7% 32%
Avg High School GPA 3.94 3.5
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 24/29 16/25
SAT Range 1130/1300 990/1195
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

CofC Columbia International University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

CofC Columbia International University
Graduation Rate 63% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,200 $33,400
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $222 $222

Diversity

CofC Columbia International University
% Men 2% 28%
% Women 7% 37%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 72%
% Black 7% 10%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 6%

Students

CofC Columbia International University
% In-State 38% 57%
% Out-of-State 61% 41%

Campus

CofC Columbia International University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • College of Charleston is larger than than Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (11,729 students vs. 2,631 students)

CofC vs. Columbia International University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CofC or Columbia International University?

  • Columbia International University is 113.3% more expensive to attend than CofC for in-state tuition ($26,700.00 vs. $12,518.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 36.3% higher at CofC than Columbia International University ($36,398.00 vs. $26,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of Charleston than Columbia International University ($20,806 vs. $21,320)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia International University are 17.4% lower than costs at College of Charleston ($11,950 vs. $14,032)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia International University than College of Charleston (96% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 92.5% larger than aid received College of Charleston ($18,883 vs. $9,811)

CofC vs. Columbia International University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CofC or Columbia International University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia International University or CofC .

  • The average SAT score at College of Charleston (1141) is 96 points higher than at Columbia International University (1045)
  • Incoming CofC students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Columbia International University (23)
  • Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Columbia International University (3.5)
  • Columbia International University has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than CofC (72%)

CofC vs. Columbia International University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CofC or Columbia International University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Columbia International University and CofC.

  • The graduation rate at CofC is higher than Columbia International University (63% vs. 57%)
  • Graduates from College of Charleston earn on average $12,800 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($46,200 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University and CofC graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($21,500 vs. $21,500)
  • Columbia International University and CofC graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($222 vs. $222)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CofC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/