IWU vs. Columbia International University

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

 IWU Columbia International University
Location Marion, IN Columbia, SC
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 2,207 2,631
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #236 #867
Religious Affiliation Wesleyan - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website indwes.edu ciu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 IWU Columbia International University
Tuition (In State) $31,168 $26,700
Tuition (Out of State) $31,168 $26,700
Room & Board $10,554 $11,950
Avg Net Price $23,364 $21,320
Avg Grant Aid $19,595 $18,883
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

 IWU Columbia International University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,035 372
Admitted 2,495 363
Acceptance Rate 82.2% 97.6%
Enrolled % 20% 32%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/28 16/25
SAT Range 970/1180 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

Academics

 IWU Columbia International University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (56%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (3%)
  • Education (3%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (3%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

 IWU Columbia International University
Graduation Rate 70% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,300 $33,400
Making Student Loan Payments 55% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,104 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $249 $222

Diversity

 IWU Columbia International University
% Men 2% 28%
% Women 4% 37%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 73% 72%
% Black 19% 10%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 6%

Students

 IWU Columbia International University
% In-State 60% 57%
% Out-of-State 39% 41%

Campus

 IWU 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

  • Columbia International University is larger than than IWU based on total student enrollment (2,631 students vs. 2,207 students)

IWU vs. Columbia International University Cost Comparison

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

  • Indiana Wesleyan University is 16.7% more expensive to attend than Columbia International University for in-state tuition ($31,168.00 vs. $26,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16.7% higher at IWU than Columbia International University ($31,168.00 vs. $26,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia International University than IWU ($21,320 vs. $23,364)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana Wesleyan University are 13.2% lower than costs at Columbia International University ($10,554 vs. $11,950)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Indiana Wesleyan University than Columbia International University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana Wesleyan University students is 3.8% larger than aid received Columbia International University ($19,595 vs. $18,883)

IWU vs. Columbia International University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU 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 IWU .

  • The average SAT score at Indiana Wesleyan University (1086) is 41 points higher than at Columbia International University (1045)
  • Incoming IWU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Columbia International University (23)
  • Accepted freshman IWU 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 IWU (82.2%)

IWU vs. Columbia International University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, IWU 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 IWU.

  • The graduation rate at IWU is higher than Columbia International University (70% vs. 57%)
  • Graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University earn on average $20,900 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($54,300 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $2,604 lower median federal student loan debt than IWU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $24,104)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $27 less per month on federal student loans than IWU graduates. ($222 vs. $249)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IWU 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/