SWU vs. Columbia International University

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

 SWU Columbia International University
Location Central, SC Columbia, SC
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,175 2,481
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #826 #705
Religious Affiliation Wesleyan - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website edu. ciu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SWU Columbia International University
Tuition (In State) $26,520 $25,620
Tuition (Out of State) $26,520 $25,620
Room & Board $9,650 $9,950
Avg Net Price $17,639 $19,911
Avg Grant Aid $19,636 $18,834
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 95%

Admission

 SWU Columbia International University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 846 506
Admitted 433 244
Acceptance Rate 51.2% 48.2%
Enrolled % 34.2% 73.4%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.5
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 19/23 16/25
SAT Range 1013/1160 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

 SWU Columbia International University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (66%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (3%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (3%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

 SWU Columbia International University
Graduation Rate 42% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,800 $33,400
Making Student Loan Payments 50% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $222

Diversity

 SWU Columbia International University
% Men 33% 46%
% Women 67% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 72%
% Black 28% 10%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 6%

Students

 SWU Columbia International University
% In-State 58% 59%
% Out-of-State 42% 38%

Campus

 SWU 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 SWU based on total student enrollment (2,481 students vs. 1,175 students)

SWU vs. Columbia International University Cost Comparison

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

  • Southern Wesleyan University is 3.5% more expensive to attend than Columbia International University for in-state tuition ($26,520.00 vs. $25,620.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.5% higher at SWU than Columbia International University ($26,520.00 vs. $25,620.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Wesleyan University than Columbia International University ($17,639 vs. $19,911)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 3.1% lower than costs at Columbia International University ($9,650 vs. $9,950)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than Columbia International University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 4.3% larger than aid received Columbia International University ($19,636 vs. $18,834)

SWU vs. Columbia International University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SWU 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 SWU .

  • Accepted freshman SWU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Columbia International University (3.5)
  • SWU has a higher acceptance rate (51.2%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

SWU vs. Columbia International University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SWU 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 SWU.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than Southern Wesleyan University (57% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn on average $11,400 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $5,500 lower median federal student loan debt than SWU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than SWU graduates. ($222 vs. $279)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 50%)

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