Columbia International University vs. Coastal Carolina

Should I go to Columbia International University or Coastal Carolina University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbia International University or Coastal Carolina 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

ECU CofC UofSC Clemson Winthrop University UNCW Lander University Liberty University West Virginia University Tech WVU UNCG CSU
Columbia International University vs. Coastal Carolina University comparison
Columbia International University Coastal Carolina University College 3 College 4
Coastal Carolina University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Columbia International University Coastal Carolina
Location Columbia, SC Conway, SC
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 2,481 10,337
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #705 #821
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ciu.edu coastal.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia International University Coastal Carolina
Tuition (In State) $25,620 $11,460
Tuition (Out of State) $25,620 $28,310
Room & Board $9,950 $10,628
Avg Net Price $19,911 $14,016
Avg Grant Aid $18,834 $10,610
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 88%

Admission

Columbia International University Coastal Carolina
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 506 17,161
Admitted 244 13,493
Acceptance Rate 48.2% 78.6%
Enrolled % 73.4% 19.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.72
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/25 20/25
SAT Range 990/1195 1020/1190
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 Coastal Carolina
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)
  • Business (30%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Columbia International University Coastal Carolina
Graduation Rate 57% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,400 $42,200
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $24,930
Median Loan Payment $222 $257

Diversity

Columbia International University Coastal Carolina
% Men 46% 45%
% Women 54% 55%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 72% 68%
% Black 10% 20%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 6% 0%

Students

Columbia International University Coastal Carolina
% In-State 59% 31%
% Out-of-State 38% 68%

Campus

Columbia International University Coastal Carolina
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

  • Coastal Carolina University is larger than than Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (10,337 students vs. 2,481 students)

Columbia International University vs. Coastal Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia International University or Coastal Carolina?

  • Columbia International University is 123.6% more expensive to attend than Coastal Carolina for in-state tuition ($25,620.00 vs. $11,460.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 10.5% higher at Coastal Carolina than Columbia International University ($28,310.00 vs. $25,620.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Coastal Carolina University than Columbia International University ($14,016 vs. $19,911)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia International University are 6.8% lower than costs at Coastal Carolina University ($9,950 vs. $10,628)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia International University than Coastal Carolina University (95% vs. 88%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 77.5% larger than aid received Coastal Carolina University ($18,834 vs. $10,610)

Columbia International University vs. Coastal Carolina Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Columbia International University (1045) is 36 points higher than at Coastal Carolina (1009)
  • Incoming Columbia International University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Coastal Carolina (22)
  • Accepted freshman Coastal Carolina students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Columbia International University (3.5)
  • Coastal Carolina has a higher acceptance rate (78.6%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

Columbia International University vs. Coastal Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia International University or Coastal Carolina? 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 Coastal Carolina and Columbia International University.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than Coastal Carolina University (57% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Coastal Carolina University earn on average $8,800 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($42,200 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $3,430 lower median federal student loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates. ($21,500 vs. $24,930)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $35 less per month on federal student loans than Coastal Carolina graduates. ($222 vs. $257)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coastal Carolina students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 54%)

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