Columbia International University vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia International University in Columbia, SC with The University of Tennessee Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 2,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia International University is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Columbia International University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia International University 13:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

Columbia International University vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia International University or UTC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than Columbia International University ($15,347 vs. $26,056).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia International University are 5.2% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($11,950 vs. $12,604).
• Columbia International University is 167% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $17,452 more per year; $27,900.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.7% higher at Columbia International University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $9,388 more per year; $27,900.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia International University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (95% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 69.4% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($17,009 vs. $10,038).

Columbia International University vs. UTC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia International University or UTC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UTC and Columbia International University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (1110) is 20 points higher than at Columbia International University (1090).
• Incoming UTC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Columbia International University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Columbia International University 990/1195; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Columbia International University 16/25; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia International University - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia International University Aug 1, 2027; UTC May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UTC students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Columbia International University (3.5).
• Columbia International University has a higher acceptance rate (94.5%) than UTC (81.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.1% at Columbia International University vs. 29.2% at UTC.

Columbia International University vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia International University and UTC? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Columbia International University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Chattanooga earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Columbia International University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $33,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $708 lower median loan debt than Columbia International University graduates ($20,792 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia International University graduates ($214 vs. $222).
• More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.