Columbia International University vs. Lee University

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

Columbia International University Lee University
Location Columbia, SC Cleveland, TN
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 2,481 3,927
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #705 #787
Religious Affiliation - Church of God - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ciu.edu leeuniversity.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia International University Lee University
Tuition (In State) $25,620 $21,000
Tuition (Out of State) $25,620 $21,000
Room & Board $9,950 $8,840
Avg Net Price $19,911 $19,726
Avg Grant Aid $18,834 $14,042
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 96%

Admission

Columbia International University Lee University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 506 2,014
Admitted 244 1,462
Acceptance Rate 48.2% 72.6%
Enrolled % 73.4% 35.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.73
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Easy Average
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 16/25 19/27
SAT Range 990/1195 1010/1240
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 Lee University
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%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (16%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Psychology (10%)

Outcomes

Columbia International University Lee University
Graduation Rate 57% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,400 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $222 $279

Diversity

Columbia International University Lee University
% Men 46% 39%
% Women 54% 61%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 79%
% Black 10% 6%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 4% 5%
% Unknown Race 6% 4%

Students

Columbia International University Lee University
% In-State 59% 48%
% Out-of-State 38% 50%

Campus

Columbia International University Lee 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

  • Lee University is larger than than Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (3,927 students vs. 2,481 students)

Columbia International University vs. Lee University Cost Comparison

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

  • Columbia International University is 22% more expensive to attend than Lee University for in-state tuition ($25,620.00 vs. $21,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22% higher at Columbia International University than Lee University ($25,620.00 vs. $21,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lee University than Columbia International University ($19,726 vs. $19,911)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lee University are 12.6% lower than costs at Columbia International University ($8,840 vs. $9,950)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lee University than Columbia International University (96% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 34.1% larger than aid received Lee University ($18,834 vs. $14,042)

Columbia International University vs. Lee University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Lee University (1088) is 43 points higher than at Columbia International University (1045)
  • Incoming Lee University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Columbia International University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Lee University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Columbia International University (3.5)
  • Lee University has a higher acceptance rate (72.6%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

Columbia International University vs. Lee University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than Lee University (57% vs. 49%)
  • Graduates from Lee University earn on average $3,700 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($37,100 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $5,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Lee University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Lee University graduates. ($222 vs. $279)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lee University 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/