Columbia International University vs. Columbia College

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

Columbia International University Columbia College
Location Columbia, SC Columbia, SC
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 2,481 1,514
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #705 #913
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ciu.edu columbiasc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia International University Columbia College
Tuition (In State) $25,620 $21,250
Tuition (Out of State) $25,620 $21,250
Room & Board $9,950 $8,400
Avg Net Price $19,911 $18,779
Avg Grant Aid $18,834 $16,089
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 97%

Admission

Columbia International University Columbia College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 506 2,176
Admitted 244 2,135
Acceptance Rate 48.2% 98.1%
Enrolled % 73.4% 8.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.56
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/25 14/18
SAT Range 990/1195 850/1140
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 Columbia College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

Columbia International University Columbia College
Graduation Rate 57% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,400 $34,700
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $25,264
Median Loan Payment $222 $261

Diversity

Columbia International University Columbia College
% Men 46% 15%
% Women 54% 85%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 72% 55%
% Black 10% 34%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 6% 1%

Students

Columbia International University Columbia College
% In-State 59% 76%
% Out-of-State 38% 22%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia International University is larger than than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (2,481 students vs. 1,514 students)

Columbia International University vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

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

  • Columbia International University is 20.6% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($25,620.00 vs. $21,250.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20.6% higher at Columbia International University than Columbia College ($25,620.00 vs. $21,250.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia College than Columbia International University ($18,779 vs. $19,911)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 18.5% lower than costs at Columbia International University ($8,400 vs. $9,950)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College than Columbia International University (97% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 17.1% larger than aid received Columbia College ($18,834 vs. $16,089)

Columbia International University vs. Columbia College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Columbia International University (1045) is 74 points higher than at Columbia College (971)
  • Incoming Columbia International University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Columbia College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Columbia International University (3.5)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

Columbia International University vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than Columbia College (57% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Columbia College earn on average $1,300 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($34,700 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $3,764 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($21,500 vs. $25,264)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($222 vs. $261)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 43%)

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