Columbia International University vs. AU

Should I go to Columbia International University or Averett University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbia International University or AU 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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Columbia International University vs. Averett University comparison
Columbia International University Averett University College 3 College 4
Averett University
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Overview

 Columbia International University AU
Location Columbia, SC Danville, VA
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 2,481 1,363
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #705 #661
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ciu.edu averett.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Columbia International University AU
Tuition (In State) $25,620 $37,640
Tuition (Out of State) $25,620 $37,640
Room & Board $9,950 $11,360
Avg Net Price $19,911 $23,781
Avg Grant Aid $18,834 $26,246
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 100%

Admission

 Columbia International University AU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 506 2,324
Admitted 244 1,767
Acceptance Rate 48.2% 76%
Enrolled % 73.4% 14.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.07
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/25 16/22
SAT Range 990/1195 850/1170
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 Columbia International University AU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

 Columbia International University AU
Graduation Rate 57% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,400 $48,400
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $222 $258

Diversity

 Columbia International University AU
% Men 46% 48%
% Women 54% 52%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 72% 58%
% Black 10% 33%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 6% 0%

Students

 Columbia International University AU
% In-State 59% 46%
% Out-of-State 38% 45%

Campus

 Columbia International University AU
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

  • Columbia International University is larger than than AU based on total student enrollment (2,481 students vs. 1,363 students)

Columbia International University vs. AU Cost Comparison

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

  • Averett University is 46.9% more expensive to attend than Columbia International University for in-state tuition ($37,640.00 vs. $25,620.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 46.9% higher at AU than Columbia International University ($37,640.00 vs. $25,620.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia International University than AU ($19,911 vs. $23,781)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia International University are 14.2% lower than costs at Averett University ($9,950 vs. $11,360)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Averett University than Columbia International University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Averett University students is 39.4% larger than aid received Columbia International University ($26,246 vs. $18,834)

Columbia International University vs. AU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Columbia International University (1045) is 132 points higher than at AU (913)
  • Incoming Columbia International University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at AU (20)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia International University students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at AU (3.07)
  • AU has a higher acceptance rate (76%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

Columbia International University vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia International University or AU? 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 AU and Columbia International University.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than Averett University (57% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Averett University earn on average $15,000 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($48,400 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than AU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $25,000)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than AU graduates. ($222 vs. $258)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 51%)

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