Columbia International Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Columbia International University is a private research university in Columbia, South Carolina, enrolling about 716 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 94.47% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $38,951 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $27,900
- 2024 Average Net Price: $26,036 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 94.47% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 716 91.8% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 46.79%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
- First-Generation Students: 24.1%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 8.1% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 96.4%
- Average ACT Score: 21
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,457
- Applicants (IPEDS): 372
- Room & Board: $11,950 annual estimate
Columbia International University: what the data shows
Common questions about Columbia International University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Columbia International University?
Columbia International University is located in Columbia, SC (ZIP 29203-1513).
NCES locale classification: Suburb.
Is Columbia International University public or private?
Columbia International University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Columbia International University cost?
Published tuition: $27,900.
Average net price after aid: $26,036.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $21,955 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $25,644 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $23,535 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $28,722 |
| $110,001+ | $29,751 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $111,600.
How hard is it to get into Columbia International University?
Admission rate: 94.47%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: midpoint ACT 21.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Columbia International University?
Total enrollment: 716 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,457 students.
Graduate enrollment: 1,949 students.
About 92% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Columbia International University?
150%-time completion rate: 46.79%.
First-year retention: 53.3%.
What do graduates of Columbia International University earn?
Median earnings: $33,929 six years after entry; $38,951 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $20,000.
34.17% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Columbia International University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Curriculum and Instruction (99 completions)
- Organizational Leadership (85 completions)
- Missions/Missionary Studies (66 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (59 completions)
- Bible/Biblical Studies (31 completions)
- Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other (31 completions)
- Theology and Religious Vocations, Other (22 completions)
- Educational Leadership and Administration, General (20 completions)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies (18 completions)
- Public Administration and Social Service (16 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Columbia International University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 94.47%; completion rate 46.79%; median earnings $38,951 at 10 years; net price $26,036. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$27,900
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Columbia International University was $27,900.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$26,036
2024 Value
In 2024 Columbia International University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $26,036.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$104,144 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$26,036 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$111,600 4-Year Tuition
$11,950 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,200 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$41,050 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$164,200 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Columbia International University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
34.17% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
45.85% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Columbia International University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Columbia International University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $18,930 | $18,930 | $15,405 |
| 2014 | $19,480 | $19,480 | $18,100 |
| 2015 | $20,430 | $20,430 | $18,833 |
| 2016 | $21,490 | $21,490 | $19,524 |
| 2017 | $22,390 | $22,390 | $18,191 |
| 2018 | $23,690 | $23,690 | $17,481 |
| 2019 | $24,000 | $24,000 | $18,004 |
| 2020 | $24,650 | $24,650 | $18,222 |
| 2021 | $25,590 | $25,590 | $20,181 |
| 2022 | $26,840 | $26,840 | $20,035 |
| 2023 | $27,900 | $27,900 | $21,660 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
94.47% Acceptance Rate
372 Total Applicants
363 Students Admitted
116 First-Time Students Enrolled
31.96% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
ACT Average: 21
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Columbia International University reported total enrollment of about 716 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 49% male and 51% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (62.4%), Black or African American (19.6%), and Non-Resident Alien (5.3%). About 34.17% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 24.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
91.8% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Columbia International University in 2024 is 716 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,457 students. Graduate enrollment is about 1,949 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
53.3%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 62.4%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
37.38% 100% Completion Time
46.79% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 37.38% of students graduating from Columbia International University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Curriculum and Instruction: 13% male / 87% female
- Organizational Leadership: 46% male / 54% female
- Missions/Missionary Studies: 58% male / 42% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Columbia International University.
Return on Investment
$20,000 Median Student Debt
$38,951 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
51.35% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
274.01% Return on Investment
5.1 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Columbia International University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 35 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Curriculum and Instruction: 99 completions
2. Organizational Leadership: 85 completions
3. Missions/Missionary Studies: 66 completions
4. Business Administration and Management, General: 59 completions
5. Bible/Biblical Studies: 31 completions
6. Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other: 31 completions
7. Theology and Religious Vocations, Other: 22 completions
8. Educational Leadership and Administration, General: 20 completions
9. Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 18 completions
Most popular programs at Columbia International University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Columbia International University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Columbia International University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 96.4%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $6,410
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $5,595
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Columbia International University is a private non-profit institution located in Columbia, SC, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Curriculum and Instruction, Organizational Leadership, Missions/Missionary Studies. Enrollment is approximately 716 students. Student body composition includes White (62.4%), Black or African American (19.6%), Non-Resident Alien (5.3%). The admission rate is 94.47%. Average ACT scores for admitted students are 21. The 150%-time completion rate is 46.79%. Approximately 34.17% of students receive Pell Grants. About 24.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
Location
Columbia, SC 29203-1513
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Columbia International University provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Columbia International University located?
Columbia International University is located in Columbia, SC.
What is Columbia International University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Columbia International University is 94.5% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 372 applicants and 363 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Columbia International University cost?
Reported tuition is $27,900 and average net price is $26,036 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $11,950 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Columbia International University?
Columbia International University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,457 students, White (62.4%), Black or African American (19.6%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Columbia International University?
About 24.1% of students at Columbia International University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Columbia International University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Columbia International University reports midpoint ACT about 21.
What do graduates of Columbia International University earn?
Median earnings are $33,929 six years after entry and $38,951 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Columbia International University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 46.8% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Columbia International University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $20,000.
Is Columbia International University public or private?
Columbia International University is a private nonprofit institution located in Columbia, SC.
Is Columbia International University an HBCU?
No. Columbia International University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Columbia International University a tribal college?
No. Columbia International University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- South Carolina college costs
- South Carolina colleges by ROI
- Columbia, South Carolina city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in South Carolina
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.