Columbia International University vs. Liberty University

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

Columbia International University Liberty University
Location Columbia, SC Lynchburg, VA
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 2,481 96,709
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #705 #852
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ciu.edu liberty.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia International University Liberty University
Tuition (In State) $25,620 $21,374
Tuition (Out of State) $25,620 $21,374
Room & Board $9,950 $12,350
Avg Net Price $19,911 $29,913
Avg Grant Aid $18,834 $12,471
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 98%

Admission

Columbia International University Liberty University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 506 30,943
Admitted 244 30,723
Acceptance Rate 48.2% 99.3%Open
Enrolled % 73.4% 19.9%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.56
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/25 21/29
SAT Range 990/1195 1040/1250
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Columbia International University Liberty University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (17%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Psychology (14%)
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

Columbia International University Liberty University
Graduation Rate 57% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,400 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 36%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $24,166
Median Loan Payment $222 $249

Diversity

Columbia International University Liberty University
% Men 46% 41%
% Women 54% 59%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 72% 46%
% Black 10% 13%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 6% 31%

Students

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

Campus

Columbia International University Liberty 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

  • Liberty University is larger than than Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (96,709 students vs. 2,481 students)

Columbia International University vs. Liberty University Cost Comparison

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

  • Columbia International University is 19.9% more expensive to attend than Liberty University for in-state tuition ($25,620.00 vs. $21,374.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 19.9% higher at Columbia International University than Liberty University ($25,620.00 vs. $21,374.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia International University than Liberty University ($19,911 vs. $29,913)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia International University are 24.1% lower than costs at Liberty University ($9,950 vs. $12,350)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Liberty University than Columbia International University (98% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 51% larger than aid received Liberty University ($18,834 vs. $12,471)

Columbia International University vs. Liberty University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Liberty University (1070) is 25 points higher than at Columbia International University (1045)
  • Incoming Liberty University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Columbia International University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Liberty University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Columbia International University (3.5)
  • Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (99.3%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

Columbia International University vs. Liberty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than Liberty University (57% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from Liberty University earn on average $5,700 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($39,100 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $2,666 lower median federal student loan debt than Liberty University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $24,166)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $27 less per month on federal student loans than Liberty University graduates. ($222 vs. $249)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Liberty University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 36%)

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