Columbia International University vs. Southwestern Adventist University

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

Columbia International University Southwestern Adventist University
Location Columbia, SC Keene, TX
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 2,481 793
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #705
Religious Affiliation - Seventh Day Adventists - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ciu.edu swau.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia International University Southwestern Adventist University
Tuition (In State) $25,620 $23,400
Tuition (Out of State) $25,620 $23,400
Room & Board $9,950 $8,600
Avg Net Price $19,911 $20,028
Avg Grant Aid $18,834 $13,959
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 98%

Admission

Columbia International University Southwestern Adventist University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 506 1,438
Admitted 244 771
Acceptance Rate 48.2% 53.6%Open
Enrolled % 73.4% 16.9%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 16/25 17/24
SAT Range 990/1195 900/1180
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Columbia International University Southwestern Adventist 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%)
  • Health Professions (29%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Columbia International University Southwestern Adventist University
Graduation Rate 57% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,400 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 49%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $222 $268

Diversity

Columbia International University Southwestern Adventist University
% Men 46% 41%
% Women 54% 59%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 72% 21%
% Black 10% 14%
% Hispanic 4% 41%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 2%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 4% 14%
% Unknown Race 6% 2%

Students

Columbia International University Southwestern Adventist University
% In-State 59% 85%
% Out-of-State 38% 13%

Campus

Columbia International University Southwestern Adventist 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

  • Columbia International University is larger than than Southwestern Adventist University based on total student enrollment (2,481 students vs. 793 students)

Columbia International University vs. Southwestern Adventist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia International University or Southwestern Adventist University?

  • Columbia International University is 9.5% more expensive to attend than Southwestern Adventist University for in-state tuition ($25,620.00 vs. $23,400.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 9.5% higher at Columbia International University than Southwestern Adventist University ($25,620.00 vs. $23,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia International University than Southwestern Adventist University ($19,911 vs. $20,028)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Adventist University are 15.7% lower than costs at Columbia International University ($8,600 vs. $9,950)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southwestern Adventist University than Columbia International University (98% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 34.9% larger than aid received Southwestern Adventist University ($18,834 vs. $13,959)

Columbia International University vs. Southwestern Adventist University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Columbia International University (1045) is 141 points higher than at Southwestern Adventist University (904)
  • Incoming Columbia International University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southwestern Adventist University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia International University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Southwestern Adventist University (3.3)
  • Southwestern Adventist University has a higher acceptance rate (53.6%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

Columbia International University vs. Southwestern Adventist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia International University or Southwestern Adventist 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 Southwestern Adventist University and Columbia International University.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than Southwestern Adventist University (57% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Southwestern Adventist University earn on average $9,200 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($42,600 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Southwestern Adventist University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $26,000)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than Southwestern Adventist University graduates. ($222 vs. $268)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwestern Adventist University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 49%)

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