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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 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 school's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Read on to learn some vital data about admission policy and requirements 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. That means you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by August 1. The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 47%.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. 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.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 28. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 721, 37 of which were international students. The school reported to have a total of 96 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
The significance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
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
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Columbia International University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $26,700 in 2025. Columbia International University is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students amounted to $1,200 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to consider is the approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,200.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do colleges and universities typically charge for accommodation and meals?
In 2025, room and board cost at Columbia International University amounted to $11,950 a year. If you only needed a dorm room, you had to pay $5,975 for the 2025 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $4,510.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 26,700 |
| Room and Board | $ 11,950 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 39,850 |
Financial Aid
Financial help 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.
According to the most recent data, 118 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $20,635.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
464 students gained 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 was estimated to be 473. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $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 non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants 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).
Majors
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.
In 2025, this ratio at Columbia International University was 13:1. That means that there were 13 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 203. Out of that number, there were 111 male and 92 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Columbia International University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some information about students' life at Columbia International University.
Its campus spans 400 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
This school has 6 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 100 and female students 100. The student organization that is most favored by students 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.
In case you're interested in acting, there is a drama club you can consider joining.
Student Services
Columbia International University provides a number of services important for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The dormitory entrances at the school are electronically controlled. There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. 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 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
Understanding the potential salary after graduating can be of help in determining if a specific educational institution matches your professional aspirations.
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
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Columbia International University is located in Columbia, SC.
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Columbia International University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 26,700 USD per academic year for Columbia International University.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Columbia International University is 94%.
Contact Information
Columbia International University
7435 Monticello Rd
7435 Monticello Road
Columbia , SC
29203
800 754-4100
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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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.
