Columbia International University vs. RU

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

Columbia International University RU
Location Columbia, SC Radford, VA
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 2,481 7,718
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #705 #566
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ciu.edu radford.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia International University RU
Tuition (In State) $25,620 $8,156
Tuition (Out of State) $25,620 $20,246
Room & Board $9,950 $10,567
Avg Net Price $19,911 $17,105
Avg Grant Aid $18,834 $9,733
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 96%

Admission

Columbia International University RU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 506 11,442
Admitted 244 10,680
Acceptance Rate 48.2% 93.3%
Enrolled % 73.4% 11.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.31
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/25 19/23
SAT Range 990/1195 960/1160
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 RU
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%)
  • Business (18%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

Columbia International University RU
Graduation Rate 57% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,400 $47,400
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $23,000
Median Loan Payment $222 $237

Diversity

Columbia International University RU
% Men 46% 33%
% Women 54% 67%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 71%
% Black 10% 13%
% Hispanic 4% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 6% 1%

Students

Columbia International University RU
% In-State 59% 89%
% Out-of-State 38% 11%

Campus

Columbia International University RU
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

  • Radford University is larger than than Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (7,718 students vs. 2,481 students)

Columbia International University vs. RU Cost Comparison

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

  • Columbia International University is 214.1% more expensive to attend than RU for in-state tuition ($25,620.00 vs. $8,156.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 26.5% higher at Columbia International University than Radford University ($25,620.00 vs. $20,246.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Radford University than Columbia International University ($17,105 vs. $19,911)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia International University are 6.2% lower than costs at Radford University ($9,950 vs. $10,567)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Radford University than Columbia International University (96% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 93.5% larger than aid received Radford University ($18,834 vs. $9,733)

Columbia International University vs. RU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Columbia International University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at RU (3.31)
  • RU has a higher acceptance rate (93.3%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

Columbia International University vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than Radford University (57% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Radford University earn on average $14,000 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($47,400 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $1,500 lower median federal student loan debt than RU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $23,000)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than RU graduates. ($222 vs. $237)
  • More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia International University students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 63%)

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