Columbus State vs. Columbia International University

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

Columbus State Columbia International University
Location Columbus, GA Columbia, SC
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 7,479 2,481
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #995 #705
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website columbusstate.edu ciu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbus State Columbia International University
Tuition (In State) $4,371 $25,620
Tuition (Out of State) $15,425 $25,620
Room & Board $12,080 $9,950
Avg Net Price $12,902 $19,911
Avg Grant Aid $9,147 $18,834
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 95%

Admission

Columbus State Columbia International University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,870 506
Admitted 3,398 244
Acceptance Rate 87.8% 48.2%
Enrolled % 30.4% 73.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.07 3.5
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/23 16/25
SAT Range 900/1130 990/1195
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Jun 30, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Columbus State Columbia International University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (24%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (4%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

Columbus State Columbia International University
Graduation Rate 31% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $33,400
Making Student Loan Payments 37% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $268 $222

Diversity

Columbus State Columbia International University
% Men 40% 46%
% Women 60% 54%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 51% 72%
% Black 37% 10%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 6%

Students

Columbus State Columbia International University
% In-State 92% 59%
% Out-of-State 5% 38%

Campus

Columbus State Columbia International 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

  • Columbus State University is larger than than Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (7,479 students vs. 2,481 students)

Columbus State vs. Columbia International University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or Columbia International University?

  • Columbia International University is 486.1% more expensive to attend than Columbus State for in-state tuition ($25,620.00 vs. $4,371.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 66.1% higher at Columbia International University than Columbus State University ($25,620.00 vs. $15,425.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbus State University than Columbia International University ($12,902 vs. $19,911)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia International University are 21.4% lower than costs at Columbus State University ($9,950 vs. $12,080)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbus State University than Columbia International University (98% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 105.9% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($18,834 vs. $9,147)

Columbus State vs. Columbia International University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Columbia International University (1045) is 84 points higher than at Columbus State (961)
  • Incoming Columbia International University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Columbus State (20)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia International University students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Columbus State (3.07)
  • Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

Columbus State vs. Columbia International University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbus State or Columbia International 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 Columbia International University and Columbus State.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than Columbus State University (57% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Columbus State University earn on average $4,000 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($37,400 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbus State graduates. ($21,500 vs. $26,000)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than Columbus State graduates. ($222 vs. $268)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 37%)

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