Columbia International University vs. South Carolina State University

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

Columbia International University South Carolina State University
Location Columbia, SC Orangeburg, SC
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 2,481 2,649
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #705 #1011
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ciu.edu scsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia International University South Carolina State University
Tuition (In State) $25,620 $9,528
Tuition (Out of State) $25,620 $20,218
Room & Board $9,950 $9,000
Avg Net Price $19,911 $17,435
Avg Grant Aid $18,834 $15,873
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 96%

Admission

Columbia International University South Carolina State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 506 6,833
Admitted 244 5,733
Acceptance Rate 48.2% 83.9%
Enrolled % 73.4% 15.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.17
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/25 15/19
SAT Range 990/1195 800/1050
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Jul 31, 2025

Academics

Columbia International University South Carolina State 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 (18%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (9%)

Outcomes

Columbia International University South Carolina State University
Graduation Rate 57% 35%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,400 $31,000
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $33,205
Median Loan Payment $222 $343

Diversity

Columbia International University South Carolina State University
% Men 46% 44%
% Women 54% 56%
Racial Diversity Low Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 72% 2%
% Black 10% 96%
% Hispanic 4% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 6% 0%

Students

Columbia International University South Carolina State University
% In-State 59% 77%
% Out-of-State 38% 23%

Campus

Columbia International University South Carolina State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • South Carolina State University is larger than than Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (2,649 students vs. 2,481 students)

Columbia International University vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia International University or South Carolina State University?

  • Columbia International University is 168.9% more expensive to attend than South Carolina State University for in-state tuition ($25,620.00 vs. $9,528.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 26.7% higher at Columbia International University than South Carolina State University ($25,620.00 vs. $20,218.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at South Carolina State University than Columbia International University ($17,435 vs. $19,911)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Carolina State University are 10.6% lower than costs at Columbia International University ($9,000 vs. $9,950)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at South Carolina State University than Columbia International University (96% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 18.7% larger than aid received South Carolina State University ($18,834 vs. $15,873)

Columbia International University vs. South Carolina State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Columbia International University (1045) is 285 points higher than at South Carolina State University (760)
  • Incoming Columbia International University students have a 7 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at South Carolina State University (16)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia International University students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at South Carolina State University (3.17)
  • South Carolina State University has a higher acceptance rate (83.9%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

Columbia International University vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia International University or South Carolina State 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 South Carolina State University and Columbia International University.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than South Carolina State University (57% vs. 35%)
  • Graduates from Columbia International University earn on average $2,400 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates after ten years. ($33,400 vs. $31,000)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $11,705 lower median federal student loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $33,205)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $121 less per month on federal student loans than South Carolina State University graduates. ($222 vs. $343)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 27%)

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