Columbia International University vs. UTC

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

Columbia International University UTC
Location Columbia, SC Chattanooga, TN
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 2,631 11,380
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #867 #815
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ciu.edu utc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia International University UTC
Tuition (In State) $26,700 $8,232
Tuition (Out of State) $26,700 $16,296
Room & Board $11,950 $10,052
Avg Net Price $21,320 $13,801
Avg Grant Aid $18,883 $9,834
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 93%

Admission

Columbia International University UTC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 372 9,096
Admitted 363 7,006
Acceptance Rate 97.6% 77%
Enrolled % 32% 34%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/25 20/25
SAT Range 990/1195 1005/1185
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026 May 1, 2026

Academics

Columbia International University UTC
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 (22%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Columbia International University UTC
Graduation Rate 57% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,400 $40,600
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $20,792
Median Loan Payment $222 $214

Diversity

Columbia International University UTC
% Men 28% 5%
% Women 37% 8%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 75%
% Black 10% 11%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 7%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 6% 1%

Students

Columbia International University UTC
% In-State 57% 88%
% Out-of-State 41% 11%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is larger than than Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (11,380 students vs. 2,631 students)

Columbia International University vs. UTC Cost Comparison

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

  • Columbia International University is 224.3% more expensive to attend than UTC for in-state tuition ($26,700.00 vs. $8,232.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 63.8% higher at Columbia International University than The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga ($26,700.00 vs. $16,296.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga than Columbia International University ($13,801 vs. $21,320)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga are 18.9% lower than costs at Columbia International University ($10,052 vs. $11,950)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia International University than The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (96% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 92% larger than aid received The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga ($18,883 vs. $9,834)

Columbia International University vs. UTC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (1087) is 42 points higher than at Columbia International University (1045)
  • Incoming UTC students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Columbia International University (23)
  • Accepted 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 (97.6%) than UTC (77%)

Columbia International University vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (57% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga earn on average $7,200 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($40,600 vs. $33,400)
  • The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga students graduate with a $708 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia International University graduates. ($20,792 vs. $21,500)
  • UTC graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans 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/