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Columbia International University

Columbia International University

Columbia, SC · City · 716 students
WebsiteScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$26,036
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
55%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
52% typical
$38,951
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$51,562 typical
94%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
81% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Columbia International University (CIU) is a private Christian institution in South Carolina renowned for integrating a biblical worldview into all of its academic paths, uniquely requiring undergraduate students to complete a major in Bible alongside their chosen professional field. The university’s strongest and most popular programs are housed within the College of Intercultural Studies and the School of Bible and Theology, though it also offers robust, accredited degrees in Business, Counseling, and Teacher Education. Life on CIU’s scenic, 400-acre campus along the Broad River is defined by a tight-knit, spiritually active community where students engage in daily chapel, local ministry, and NAIA athletics. This deeply missional focus sets CIU apart, fostering a globally-minded student body dedicated to the university's motto of "To Know Him and to Make Him Known" in their lives and future careers.

Wikipedia:Columbia International University (CIU) is a private Christian university in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. It was founded in 1923.

Location
Columbia, SC, 29203-1513 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
RDU · Raleigh-Durham
180 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$27,900
Housing & food (on campus)$11,950
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$45,840
Average net price$26,036
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$27,900
Housing & food (on campus)$11,950
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$45,840
Average net price$26,036
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: ciu.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Columbia International University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$27,350
Fees$1,200
Books & supplies$1,700
Personal expenses$2,160
Transportation$1,000
Total published by the school$45,840
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$21,955
$30–48k
$25,644
$48–75k
$23,535
$75–110k
$28,722
$110k+
$29,751
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
55%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
37%
Back for yr 2
53%
Transferred
4%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
77% graduated · 12% transferred · 2% still enrolled · 9% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$33,929
10 yrs after entry$38,951
Debt
Median at graduation$20,000
Monthly payment$212
Middle 50% owe$6.3k–$26k
90th percentile$32,500
Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (medium programs): 52% graduate within 6 yrs.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
94%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
ACT midpoint
21

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Essay prompts

If Columbia International University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 49%Women 51%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
13 : 1
Pell grant
34%
First-gen
24%
Family income
$49,959
Independent
17%
Age at entry
22.0
Part-time
8%
Race & ethnicity
White
62%
Black
20%
Asian
2%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
5%
Unknown
5%
Varsity sports
NAIA Division I · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Golf
    Men's
  • Other Sports
    Co-ed
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$33,929
After 10 yrs
$38,951
Bible/Biblical Studies35
Business Administration, Management and Operations34
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities22
Theological and Ministerial Studies16
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness15
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology15
Human Services, General13
Communication and Media Studies11
Psychology, General8
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries7
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods6
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing4
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication3
English Language and Literature, General3
Education, General2
International/Globalization Studies2
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$5M
Full-time faculty
96%
Faculty salary
$6,410/mo
Teaching spend
$5,595
per student
Federal loans
46%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (medium programs)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

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