Columbia International University vs. Ripon College

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

Columbia International University Ripon College
Location Columbia, SC Ripon, WI
Setting Midsize City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 2,631 734
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #867
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ciu.edu ripon.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia International University Ripon College
Tuition (In State) $26,700 $50,400
Tuition (Out of State) $26,700 $50,400
Room & Board $11,950 $10,190
Avg Net Price $21,320 $22,557
Avg Grant Aid $18,883 $38,989
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 100%

Admission

Columbia International University Ripon College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 372 1,797
Admitted 363 1,508
Acceptance Rate 97.6% 83.9%
Enrolled % 32% 12.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.41
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/25 20/27
SAT Range 990/1195 1000/1190
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 Ripon College
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%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Business (13%)
  • History (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)

Outcomes

Columbia International University Ripon College
Graduation Rate 57% 70%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,400 $49,200
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $28,000
Median Loan Payment $222 $289

Diversity

Columbia International University Ripon College
% Men 28% 1%
% Women 37% 1%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 83%
% Black 10% 3%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 6% 1%

Students

Columbia International University Ripon College
% In-State 57% 63%
% Out-of-State 41% 35%

Campus

Columbia International University Ripon College
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

  • Columbia International University is larger than than Ripon College based on total student enrollment (2,631 students vs. 734 students)

Columbia International University vs. Ripon College Cost Comparison

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

  • Ripon College is 88.8% more expensive to attend than Columbia International University for in-state tuition ($50,400.00 vs. $26,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 88.8% higher at Ripon College than Columbia International University ($50,400.00 vs. $26,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia International University than Ripon College ($21,320 vs. $22,557)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ripon College are 17.3% lower than costs at Columbia International University ($10,190 vs. $11,950)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ripon College than Columbia International University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ripon College students is 106.5% larger than aid received Columbia International University ($38,989 vs. $18,883)

Columbia International University vs. Ripon College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Ripon College (1105) is 60 points higher than at Columbia International University (1045)
  • Incoming Ripon College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Columbia International University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia International University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Ripon College (3.41)
  • Columbia International University has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Ripon College (83.9%)

Columbia International University vs. Ripon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Ripon College is higher than Columbia International University (70% vs. 57%)
  • Graduates from Ripon College earn on average $15,800 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($49,200 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $6,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Ripon College graduates. ($21,500 vs. $28,000)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $67 less per month on federal student loans than Ripon College graduates. ($222 vs. $289)
  • More Ripon College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia International University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 63%)

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