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#5 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

Columbia International University Admission Requirements

Columbia, South Carolina

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Your chances of getting into Columbia International University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

48.2%
Admission Difficulty for Columbia International University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Easy 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Columbia International University is 48.2%.  Its admission rate is the 4th lowest in South Carolina.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Columbia International University and can you get accepted?

Columbia International University is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 244 out of the 506 who applied were admitted.

Columbia International University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.5. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. Of those applicants who were admitted, 73% enrolled. This indicates that the school is a top choice for many students who apply.

Can you get into Columbia International University?

48% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Columbia International University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.5 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1090 on the SAT
  • Score 20 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Columbia International University GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.5

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Columbia International University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Columbia International University are to have around a 3.5 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to Columbia International University will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Columbia International University is 3.5 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #20 in South Carolina for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Columbia International University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 9.68% Good
3.75 to 3.99 16.13% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 19.68% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 27.89% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 17.36% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 6.86% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 2.4% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Columbia International University SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

990-1195

Applicants Submitting SAT 

42%
SAT Scores for Columbia International University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 500
Math 25th Percentile 490
Composite 25th Percentile 990
SAT Scores for Columbia International University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 620
Math 75th Percentile 575
Composite 75th Percentile 1195
Average SAT Score 1090

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Columbia International University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Columbia International University is 1090 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 990-1195. Students who get into Columbia International University score in the top 62 percent of all SAT test takers..  Columbia International University ranks #11 in the state of South Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1090 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Columbia International University regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 990 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 990, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 890, but scores this low are outside the normal range. 42 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1090 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1092, you have around a 48% chance of being admitted. A 1195 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 64% chance of getting in.

Columbia International University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1195 and Above Good >64%
1092 to 1195 Avg + 48%-64%
990 to 1092 Avg - 33%-48%
888 to 990 Reach 20%-33%
Less than 888 Low <20%
Calculate My Chances 

Columbia International University ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

16-25 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

28%
ACT Scores for Columbia International University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 20
Math 25th Percentile 16
Composite 25th Percentile 16
ACT Scores for Columbia International University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 25
Math 75th Percentile 19
Composite 75th Percentile 25
Average ACT Score 20

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Columbia International University?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Columbia International University is 20, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 16 and 25.  The school ranks #18 in South Carolina for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 20. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 16 and score in the score in the top 75 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 12.

28 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Columbia International University.

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Columbia International University for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 20 score has around 48% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 65% with a 25 ACT score.

Columbia International University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
25 and Above Good >65%
20 to 25 Avg + 48%-65%
16 to 20 Avg - 34%-48%
12 to 16 Reach 23%-34%
Less than 12 Low <23%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

65% of Columbia International University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 39% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Columbia International University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 15%
Top 25% of class 39%
Top 50% of class 65%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Columbia International University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 272 234 506
Accepted 122 122 244
Acceptance Rate 45% 52% 48%
Enrolled 92 87 179
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 75% 71% 73%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

219

Applicants have 219 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Aug 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Columbia International University is $25.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Columbia International University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Columbia International University Application Requirements
Test Scores Required to be considered for admission
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Columbia International University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Columbia International University is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.5 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1090 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1195 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 20 on the ACT places you in a strong position.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Columbia International University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=217925 IPEDS survey data for Columbia International University.

Last updated February 24, 2024