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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 school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 97%. The freshman retention rate at Columbia International University is 65.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 68%.

For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is August 1. Find out more about what you can expect if you get into Columbia International University.

Quick Facts

916

Total Number of Undergraduate Students

97%

Acceptance Rate

$26,700

Tuition

13:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

68%

Graduation Rate

Admissions

You need to find out as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the school in order to maximize your chances of being accepted. Read on to learn some important information about admission policy and requirements at Columbia International University.

In 2024, the school accepted 363 new students. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.

Test Scores

42% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 28% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 7% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 12% between 1,200 and 1,399, 47% between 1,000 and 1,199, 30% between 800 and 999, 2% between 600 and 799, and 2% of the students between 400 and 599. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 24-29 was 26.32, 37 in the range between 18-23 and 37 between 12-17.

The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 540 and an average SAT Math score of 508.

Average Test Scores

Deadlines

The application deadline for Columbia International University is August 1.

97%

Acceptance Rate

Retention Rate

The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.

As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for Columbia International University was 65.8%.

Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 68%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.

Student Body

It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can better comprehend the culture and life of the school by finding out more about the student body.

Main Student Body

In 2024, the institution had an enrollment of 2,849 students.

That year, the institution had 25% of out-of-state students. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 916, 33 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 85.

Student Population Gender Ratio

The student body is coeducational, with 1,133 male and 1,202 female full-time students in 2024. There were 81 full-time graduate male and 100 full-time graduate female students at this school.

Student Population Diversity

In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.

In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 13, and the number of Black American students was 135. 9 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 30 identified with more than one race. There were also 34 students whose ethnicity is unknown.

Cost

Before you send an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.

Tuition and Fees

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

As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $26,700 in 2024. As Columbia International University is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Full-time students in 2024 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,200.

Books and Supplies

Another important financial factor to consider is the approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to spend about $1,200 for books and supplies during their time at Columbia International University.

Boarding

Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?

In 2024, the price of room and board at Columbia International University was $11,950 per academic year. If you only wanted a dormitory room, you had to pay $5,975 for the 2024 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

Financial aid for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Columbia International University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.

The most recent records show that 142 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $18,852 in financial help.

Need-based

Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.

There were 498 students who received need-based financial aid of any kind. 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 came to be 507. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $1,617,107, and state $1,446,690. The students of Columbia International University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $3,614,310, and external in the amount of $157,060.

$8,171

Average Amount of Aid Received

Non-Need Based

Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.

72 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2024. 25 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $1,175,412. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $65,649 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

The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.

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 141 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 88 male and 53 female faculty members.

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 information about campus life at Columbia International University.

It has a campus size of 400 acres.

Student Organizations

Exploring a variety of student organizations can contribute to a more vibrant and rewarding educational experience.

There are 14 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. The student organization that is most favored by students is African American Fellowship Ministries, followed by GradLife and Student Missions Connection. Other popular organizations at Columbia International University are Mu Kappa and Student Union.

For individuals with a passion for acting, there is a drama club available. Interested in media and communication? Columbia International University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.

Student Services

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

There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The school's dormitory entrances are operated electronically. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.

There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services are available to the students of Columbia International University.

All in all, campus life at Columbia International University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.

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 job bank and job fairs. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career.

FAQ

Columbia International University is located in Columbia, SC.

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

The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Columbia International University is 26,700 USD, based on the most recent data.

The most recent reported acceptance rate for Columbia International University is 97%.

The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Columbia International University is 65.8%.

Contact Information

Columbia International University,

7435 Monticello Road

Columbia, SC

29203

800 777-2227

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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