Union College vs. Columbia International University

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

Union College Columbia International University
Location Barbourville, KY Columbia, SC
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 970 2,481
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #705
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unionky.edu ciu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Union College Columbia International University
Tuition (In State) $28,737 $25,620
Tuition (Out of State) $28,737 $25,620
Room & Board $8,261 $9,950
Avg Net Price $18,221 $19,911
Avg Grant Aid $23,168 $18,834
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 95%

Admission

Union College Columbia International University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,142 506
Admitted 610 244
Acceptance Rate 53.4% 48.2%
Enrolled % 32.8% 73.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.15 3.5
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 16/22 16/25
SAT Range 955/1148 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

Union College Columbia International University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (24%)
  • Psychology (14%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

Union College Columbia International University
Graduation Rate 32% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $34,800 $33,400
Making Student Loan Payments 42% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $248 $222

Diversity

Union College Columbia International University
% Men 57% 46%
% Women 43% 54%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 72%
% Black 12% 10%
% Hispanic 2% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 8% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 6%

Students

Union College Columbia International University
% In-State 58% 59%
% Out-of-State 28% 38%

Campus

Union 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 Union College based on total student enrollment (2,481 students vs. 970 students)

Union College vs. Columbia International University Cost Comparison

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

  • Union College is 12.2% more expensive to attend than Columbia International University for in-state tuition ($28,737.00 vs. $25,620.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.2% higher at Union College than Columbia International University ($28,737.00 vs. $25,620.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Union College than Columbia International University ($18,221 vs. $19,911)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 20.4% lower than costs at Columbia International University ($8,261 vs. $9,950)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Union College than Columbia International University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 23% larger than aid received Columbia International University ($23,168 vs. $18,834)

Union College vs. Columbia International University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Columbia International University (1045) is 75 points higher than at Union College (970)
  • Incoming Columbia International University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Union College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia International University students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Union College (3.15)
  • Union College has a higher acceptance rate (53.4%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

Union College vs. Columbia International University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Union 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 Union College.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than Union College (57% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Union College earn on average $1,400 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($34,800 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $2,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Union College graduates. ($21,500 vs. $24,000)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than Union College graduates. ($222 vs. $248)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 42%)

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