Eastern vs. Columbia International University

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

 Eastern Columbia International University
Location Richmond, KY Columbia, SC
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 15,008 2,631
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #873 #867
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website eku.edu ciu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Eastern Columbia International University
Tuition (In State) $9,830 $26,700
Tuition (Out of State) $20,520 $26,700
Room & Board $11,735 $11,950
Avg Net Price $10,852 $21,320
Avg Grant Aid $11,460 $18,883
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 96%

Admission

 Eastern Columbia International University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,082 372
Admitted 13,340 363
Acceptance Rate 78.1% 97.6%
Enrolled % 20.9% 32%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24 16/25
SAT Range 930/1190 990/1195
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

 Eastern Columbia International University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

 Eastern Columbia International University
Graduation Rate 38% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $33,400
Making Student Loan Payments 49% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,695 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $245 $222

Diversity

 Eastern Columbia International University
% Men 4% 28%
% Women 11% 37%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 72%
% Black 6% 10%
% Hispanic 2% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 6%

Students

 Eastern Columbia International University
% In-State 92% 57%
% Out-of-State 8% 41%

Campus

 Eastern 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

  • Eastern Kentucky University is larger than than Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (15,008 students vs. 2,631 students)

Eastern vs. Columbia International University Cost Comparison

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

  • Columbia International University is 171.6% more expensive to attend than Eastern for in-state tuition ($26,700.00 vs. $9,830.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30.1% higher at Columbia International University than Eastern Kentucky University ($26,700.00 vs. $20,520.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Kentucky University than Columbia International University ($10,852 vs. $21,320)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Kentucky University are 1.8% lower than costs at Columbia International University ($11,735 vs. $11,950)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Kentucky University than Columbia International University (98% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 64.8% larger than aid received Eastern Kentucky University ($18,883 vs. $11,460)

Eastern vs. Columbia International University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Eastern 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 Eastern .

  • The average SAT score at Columbia International University (1045) is 17 points higher than at Eastern (1028)
  • Incoming Columbia International University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Eastern (22)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia International University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Eastern (3.39)
  • Columbia International University has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Eastern (78.1%)

Eastern vs. Columbia International University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Eastern 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 Eastern.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than Eastern Kentucky University (57% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Eastern Kentucky University earn on average $4,500 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($37,900 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $2,195 lower median federal student loan debt than Eastern graduates. ($21,500 vs. $23,695)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than Eastern graduates. ($222 vs. $245)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 49%)

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