Columbia International University vs. Lander University

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

Columbia International University Lander University
Location Columbia, SC Greenwood, SC
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 2,631 4,363
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #867 #984
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ciu.edu lander.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia International University Lander University
Tuition (In State) $26,700 $10,700
Tuition (Out of State) $26,700 $20,300
Room & Board $11,950 $10,700
Avg Net Price $21,320 $14,657
Avg Grant Aid $18,883 $12,000
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 98%

Admission

Columbia International University Lander University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 372 5,184
Admitted 363 3,521
Acceptance Rate 97.6% 67.9%
Enrolled % 32% 24%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.66
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/25 17/24
SAT Range 990/1195 960/1160
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

Columbia International University Lander University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)

Outcomes

Columbia International University Lander University
Graduation Rate 57% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,400 $37,000
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $222 $279

Diversity

Columbia International University Lander University
% Men 28% 4%
% Women 37% 12%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 72% 58%
% Black 10% 31%
% Hispanic 4% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 6% 4%

Students

Columbia International University Lander University
% In-State 57% 88%
% Out-of-State 41% 9%

Campus

Columbia International University Lander 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

  • Lander University is larger than than Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (4,363 students vs. 2,631 students)

Columbia International University vs. Lander University Cost Comparison

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

  • Columbia International University is 149.5% more expensive to attend than Lander University for in-state tuition ($26,700.00 vs. $10,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 31.5% higher at Columbia International University than Lander University ($26,700.00 vs. $20,300.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lander University than Columbia International University ($14,657 vs. $21,320)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lander University are 11.7% lower than costs at Columbia International University ($10,700 vs. $11,950)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lander University than Columbia International University (98% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 57.4% larger than aid received Lander University ($18,883 vs. $12,000)

Columbia International University vs. Lander University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Columbia International University (1045) is 123 points higher than at Lander University (922)
  • Incoming Columbia International University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Lander University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Lander University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Columbia International University (3.5)
  • Columbia International University has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Lander University (67.9%)

Columbia International University vs. Lander University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia International University or Lander 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 Lander University and Columbia International University.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than Lander University (57% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Lander University earn on average $3,600 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($37,000 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $5,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Lander University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Lander University graduates. ($222 vs. $279)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lander University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 46%)

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