Columbia International University vs. USC Aiken

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

 Columbia International University USC Aiken
Location Columbia, SC Aiken, SC
Setting Midsize City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 2,481 3,840
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #705 #888
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ciu.edu usca.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Columbia International University USC Aiken
Tuition (In State) $25,620 $10,398
Tuition (Out of State) $25,620 $20,856
Room & Board $9,950 $8,376
Avg Net Price $19,911 $11,872
Avg Grant Aid $18,834 $9,891
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 100%

Admission

 Columbia International University USC Aiken
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 506 2,453
Admitted 244 1,855
Acceptance Rate 48.2% 75.6%
Enrolled % 73.4% 29.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.19
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/25 18/24
SAT Range 990/1195 950/1180
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 USC Aiken
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)

Outcomes

 Columbia International University USC Aiken
Graduation Rate 57% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,400 $39,600
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $222 $268

Diversity

 Columbia International University USC Aiken
% Men 46% 36%
% Women 54% 64%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 72% 58%
% Black 10% 27%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 6% 2%

Students

 Columbia International University USC Aiken
% In-State 59% 87%
% Out-of-State 38% 11%

Campus

 Columbia International University USC Aiken
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

  • University of South Carolina Aiken is larger than than Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (3,840 students vs. 2,481 students)

Columbia International University vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia International University or USC Aiken?

  • Columbia International University is 146.4% more expensive to attend than USC Aiken for in-state tuition ($25,620.00 vs. $10,398.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22.8% higher at Columbia International University than University of South Carolina Aiken ($25,620.00 vs. $20,856.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Carolina Aiken than Columbia International University ($11,872 vs. $19,911)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 18.8% lower than costs at Columbia International University ($8,376 vs. $9,950)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than Columbia International University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 90.4% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Aiken ($18,834 vs. $9,891)

Columbia International University vs. USC Aiken Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Columbia International University (1045) is 69 points higher than at USC Aiken (976)
  • Incoming Columbia International University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at USC Aiken (21)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia International University students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at USC Aiken (3.19)
  • USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (75.6%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

Columbia International University vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia International University or USC Aiken? 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 USC Aiken and Columbia International University.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than University of South Carolina Aiken (57% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from University of South Carolina Aiken earn on average $6,200 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($39,600 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than USC Aiken graduates. ($21,500 vs. $26,000)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than USC Aiken graduates. ($222 vs. $268)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 54%)

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