Columbia International University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

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

Columbia International University University of South Carolina-Upstate
Location Columbia, SC Spartanburg, SC
Setting Midsize City Midsize Suburban
Enrollment 2,481 4,913
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #705 #823
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ciu.edu uscupstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia International University University of South Carolina-Upstate
Tuition (In State) $25,620 $11,208
Tuition (Out of State) $25,620 $22,170
Room & Board $9,950 $9,520
Avg Net Price $19,911 $13,835
Avg Grant Aid $18,834 $12,038
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 99%

Admission

Columbia International University University of South Carolina-Upstate
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 506 3,090
Admitted 244 2,428
Acceptance Rate 48.2% 78.6%
Enrolled % 73.4% 28.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 2.53
Typical High School Grades B+ C+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/25 20/25
SAT Range 990/1195 950/1150
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Columbia International University University of South Carolina-Upstate
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%)
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

Columbia International University University of South Carolina-Upstate
Graduation Rate 57% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,400 $39,300
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $222 $232

Diversity

Columbia International University University of South Carolina-Upstate
% Men 46% 32%
% Women 54% 68%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 72% 56%
% Black 10% 29%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 6% 2%

Students

Columbia International University University of South Carolina-Upstate
% In-State 59% 92%
% Out-of-State 38% 6%

Campus

Columbia International University University of South Carolina-Upstate
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 Upstate is larger than than Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (4,913 students vs. 2,481 students)

Columbia International University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia International University or University of South Carolina-Upstate?

  • Columbia International University is 128.6% more expensive to attend than University of South Carolina-Upstate for in-state tuition ($25,620.00 vs. $11,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 15.6% higher at Columbia International University than University of South Carolina Upstate ($25,620.00 vs. $22,170.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Carolina Upstate than Columbia International University ($13,835 vs. $19,911)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 4.5% lower than costs at Columbia International University ($9,520 vs. $9,950)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than Columbia International University (99% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 56.5% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Upstate ($18,834 vs. $12,038)

Columbia International University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Columbia International University (1045) is 95 points higher than at University of South Carolina-Upstate (950)
  • Incoming Columbia International University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (20)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia International University students have a 0.97 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53)
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate has a higher acceptance rate (78.6%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

Columbia International University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia International University or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina-Upstate and Columbia International University.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than University of South Carolina Upstate (57% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from University of South Carolina Upstate earn on average $5,900 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($39,300 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates. ($21,500 vs. $22,500)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates. ($222 vs. $232)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Carolina-Upstate students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 55%)

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