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Columbia International University

Columbia , SC

Columbia International University (CIU) is a private Christian university located in Columbia, South Carolina. Established in 1923, CIU is known for its commitment to academic excellence rooted in the Christian faith. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various disciplines, including biblical studies, business administration, education, counseling, music, and more. With a diverse community of students from all over the world, CIU provides a supportive and inclusive environment for students to grow academically, spiritually, and personally.

CIU places a strong emphasis on integrating faith and learning, with all programs designed to equip students with a biblical worldview. The university offers a unique approach to education, combining rigorous academic instruction with practical ministry experience. The faculty members at CIU are not only experts in their respective fields but also dedicated mentors who are committed to shaping students' hearts and minds.

In addition to its academic programs, CIU offers various extracurricular activities and ministry opportunities. Students can participate in sports, music ensembles, clubs, and community service initiatives. With a beautiful campus and state-of-the-art facilities, CIU provides a vibrant community where students can develop their talents, form lasting relationships, and prepare for a purposeful and impactful future. Overall, Columbia International University offers a transformative educational experience infused with Christian values, empowering students to serve and make a difference in their communities and the world.

Columbia International University is a private university located in Columbia, SC and set in a suburban environment. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 94%. The six-year graduation rate at Columbia International University is 47%.

The freshmen application deadline for this school is August 1. Read more about what you can expect if you get into Columbia International University.

Quick Facts

721

Total Number of Undergraduate Students

$26,700

Tuition

13:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

47%

Graduation Rate

Admissions

If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Discover some important data about admission at Columbia International University.

In 2025, the school accepted 404 new students.

Test Scores

The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.2. This implies that you'll probably need a GPA above the average to secure admission.

Average Test Scores

Deadlines

The cutoff date for submitting applications to Columbia International University is August 1. Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 47%.

Student Body

Making the decision of which school is the optimal match for you is not easy. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.

Main Student Body

The total number of students enrolled at Columbia International University in 2025 was 2,670.

The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 28% for that year. There was a total of 721 those pursuing undergraduate studies, including 37 international students. 96 students were admitted as transfer students.

Student Population Gender Ratio

With a coeducational student body, the school had 736 male and 685 female full-time students in 2025. 81 full-time graduate men and 100 full-time graduate women attended this school.

Student Population Diversity

In order to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Columbia International University.

This school had 15 Asian students and 121 Afro-American students in 2025. 1 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 34 identified with more than one race. There were also 32 students whose ethnicity is unknown.

Cost

Before you submit an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this school have.

Tuition and Fees

Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.

In 2025, tuition amounted to $26,700 for all full-time domestic students. Since this is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2025 had to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,200.

Books and Supplies

When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,200.

Boarding

Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What do colleges and universities typically charge for room and board?

In 2025, the price of room and board at Columbia International University was $11,950 per academic year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 amounted to $5,975 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $4,510.

Tuition $ 26,700
Room and Board $ 11,950
Book and Supplies $ 1,200
Total Expense $ 39,850

Financial Aid

Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial help available to students. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at Columbia International University.

The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 118 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $20,635.

Need-based

Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.

464 students acquired some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Columbia International University is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 473. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $1,701,637, and state $1,594,654. The students of Columbia International University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $3,709,143, and external in the amount of $156,499.

$8,757

Average Amount of Aid Received

Non-Need Based

Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.

Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 61 students overall (including freshmen) at Columbia International University in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 15 full-time freshmen. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $1,289,164. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $70,318 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).

Faculty

13:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.

According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Columbia International University was 13:1: that means 13 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. The faculty of this school consists of 200 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 111 men and 92 women.

Student Population Diversity Graph

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100
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100

Campus Life

Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some details about campus life at Columbia International University.

Its campus spans 400 acres.

Student Organizations

Involvement in student organizations can make your educational experience more dynamic and gratifying.

This school has 6 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. 100 percent of male and 100 of female students are active in different organizations at Columbia International University. The student organization that has the biggest membership is Student Nursing Association, followed by Psi Lambda Delta and International Student Association. Other popular organizations at Columbia International University are MuKappa and CIU Thespians.

There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you.

Student Services

Columbia International University offers a number of services crucial for a pleasant and secure life on campus.

There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at Columbia International University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.

Career Services

Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Columbia International University.

Career Counselling

At Columbia International University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.

Job Placement

Having an understanding of the anticipated earnings after completing your education can be important in evaluating if a certain institution is compatible with your professional goals.

The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 50,000 USD.

$50,000

Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation

FAQ

Columbia International University is located in Columbia, SC.

Columbia International University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.

According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 26,700 USD per academic year for Columbia International University.

The most recent reported acceptance rate for Columbia International University is 94%.

Contact Information

Columbia International University

PO Box 3122

Columbia , SC

29203

800 754-4100

School Website

Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.

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