PUC vs. Columbia International University

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

PUC Columbia International University
Location Angwin, CA Columbia, SC
Setting Rural Fringe Midsize City
Enrollment 870 2,481
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #705
Religious Affiliation Seventh Day Adventists - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website puc.edu ciu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PUC Columbia International University
Tuition (In State) $32,655 $25,620
Tuition (Out of State) $32,655 $25,620
Room & Board $9,273 $9,950
Avg Net Price $21,841 $19,911
Avg Grant Aid $23,383 $18,834
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 95%

Admission

PUC Columbia International University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,364 506
Admitted 661 244
Acceptance Rate 48.5% 48.2%
Enrolled % 16.9% 73.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.5
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 18/23 16/25
SAT Range 990/1200 990/1195
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

PUC Columbia International University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (41%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

PUC Columbia International University
Graduation Rate 45% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,200 $33,400
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $30,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $310 $222

Diversity

PUC Columbia International University
% Men 37% 46%
% Women 63% 54%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 26% 72%
% Black 9% 10%
% Hispanic 28% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 2% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 2%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 5% 6%

Students

PUC Columbia International University
% In-State 77% 59%
% Out-of-State 21% 38%

Campus

PUC Columbia International University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia International University is larger than than PUC based on total student enrollment (2,481 students vs. 870 students)

PUC vs. Columbia International University Cost Comparison

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

  • Pacific Union College is 27.5% more expensive to attend than Columbia International University for in-state tuition ($32,655.00 vs. $25,620.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 27.5% higher at PUC than Columbia International University ($32,655.00 vs. $25,620.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia International University than PUC ($19,911 vs. $21,841)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Union College are 7.3% lower than costs at Columbia International University ($9,273 vs. $9,950)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Union College than Columbia International University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Union College students is 24.2% larger than aid received Columbia International University ($23,383 vs. $18,834)

PUC vs. Columbia International University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PUC 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 PUC .

  • The average SAT score at Columbia International University (1045) is 61 points higher than at PUC (984)
  • Incoming Columbia International University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at PUC (21)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia International University students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at PUC (3.24)
  • PUC has a higher acceptance rate (48.5%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

PUC vs. Columbia International University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, PUC 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 PUC.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than Pacific Union College (57% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Pacific Union College earn on average $25,800 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($59,200 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $8,500 lower median federal student loan debt than PUC graduates. ($21,500 vs. $30,000)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $88 less per month on federal student loans than PUC graduates. ($222 vs. $310)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PUC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 57%)

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