Piedmont College vs. Columbia International University

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

Piedmont College Columbia International University
Location Demorest, GA Columbia, SC
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,843 2,481
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #522 #705
Religious Affiliation United Church of Christ - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website piedmont.edu ciu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Piedmont College Columbia International University
Tuition (In State) $28,970 $25,620
Tuition (Out of State) $28,970 $25,620
Room & Board $11,562 $9,950
Avg Net Price $18,792 $19,911
Avg Grant Aid $24,065 $18,834
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 95%

Admission

Piedmont College Columbia International University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,331 506
Admitted 1,500 244
Acceptance Rate 64.4% 48.2%
Enrolled % 20.1% 73.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.54 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 19/25 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 Jul 15, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Piedmont College Columbia International University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (40%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Social Sciences (4%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

Piedmont College Columbia International University
Graduation Rate 46% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,000 $33,400
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,736 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $245 $222

Diversity

Piedmont College Columbia International University
% Men 28% 46%
% Women 72% 54%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 71% 72%
% Black 9% 10%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 10% 6%

Students

Piedmont College Columbia International University
% In-State 85% 59%
% Out-of-State 14% 38%

Campus

Piedmont College 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 Piedmont College based on total student enrollment (2,481 students vs. 1,843 students)

Piedmont College vs. Columbia International University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Piedmont College or Columbia International University?

  • Piedmont College is 13.1% more expensive to attend than Columbia International University for in-state tuition ($28,970.00 vs. $25,620.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.1% higher at Piedmont College than Columbia International University ($28,970.00 vs. $25,620.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Piedmont College than Columbia International University ($18,792 vs. $19,911)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia International University are 16.2% lower than costs at Piedmont College ($9,950 vs. $11,562)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Piedmont College than Columbia International University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Piedmont College students is 27.8% larger than aid received Columbia International University ($24,065 vs. $18,834)

Piedmont College vs. Columbia International University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Piedmont College 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 Piedmont College .

  • The average SAT score at Columbia International University (1045) is 50 points higher than at Piedmont College (995)
  • Incoming Columbia International University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Piedmont College (22)
  • Accepted freshman Piedmont College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Columbia International University (3.5)
  • Piedmont College has a higher acceptance rate (64.4%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

Piedmont College vs. Columbia International University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Piedmont College 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 Piedmont College.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than Piedmont College (57% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Piedmont College earn on average $7,600 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($41,000 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $2,236 lower median federal student loan debt than Piedmont College graduates. ($21,500 vs. $23,736)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than Piedmont College graduates. ($222 vs. $245)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Piedmont College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 44%)

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