Columbia International University
#6 Best Communications Colleges in South Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 55% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $38,951 C-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $26,036 D
- 52% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 94% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A D+ overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 8.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $8.8 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Communications Colleges in South Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $8.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $812,681.
What The Data Says
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A D+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $8.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Columbia International University Matters
Columbia International University is a private university in Columbia, SC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 716
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Health Professions, Communications
Why students choose Columbia International University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 94% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $26,036 a year after grants and scholarships — 52% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $38,951 ten years after enrolling — 4% below the typical college, against $20,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 99% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.53 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Columbia International University is a solid choice for students seeking a close-knit community and a faith-based education. With an acceptance rate of 94%, it’s accessible for many. Here, students can delve into programs like Business & Marketing, Psychology, Education, and more. This variety allows individuals to explore their interests while preparing for careers that matter to them.
After graduation, the average earnings sit at $38,951 after ten years. That’s an important figure because it gives a sense of what graduates can expect in their professional lives. The affordability factor is also significant; with a net price of $26,036, many students can manage their education without overwhelming financial burdens. It’s clear that a degree from Columbia International can lead to meaningful employment opportunities.
Looking at the financials, the median debt stands at $20,000, which is manageable for many graduates. The support for students is evident, especially for the 34% receiving Pell Grants, which can help lower costs. Those who thrive here often appreciate the combination of academic rigor and community support, making it a fitting choice for those who value both personal and professional growth.
Rankings
- #6 Best Communications Colleges in South Carolina
- #12 Best Online Bachelor's in English
- #12 Best Online Master's in English
- #12 Best Education Colleges in South Carolina
- #12 Best Online English Programs
- #13 Best Business Colleges in South Carolina
- #16 Best Online Bachelor's in Biology
- #16 Best Online Master's in Biology
Can I Get In?
How selective Columbia International University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Columbia International University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Columbia International University, located in Columbia, South Carolina, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 94%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 21. The graduation rate is roughly 55%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 94%
- Retention Rate
- 53%
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- Full-Time Faculty
- 96%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,410
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.57
- First-Gen Students
- 24%
- Applicants
- 506
- Admitted
- 244
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Columbia International University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Columbia International University is $27,900, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $26,036. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $21,955 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $27,900
- Out-of-State
- $27,900
- Avg Net Price
- $26,036
- Median Debt
- $20,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 34%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 46%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $21,955
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $25,644
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $23,535
- Family Income $110K+
- $29,751
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Columbia International University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Columbia International University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Columbia International University report median earnings of $38,951, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $33,929
- 8 Years
- $38,912
- 10 Years
- $38,951
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.51x
- Earning > $25K
- 45%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (46)
- 54%
- 100% (46)
- 54%
- 100% (46)
- 54%
- 100% (46)
- 54%
How Columbia Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Columbia International University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Columbia International University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $26,036/year ($104,144 total). Graduates earn $38,951 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $916,825 in total earnings — a net gain of $812,681 (8.8× your investment). The median debt is $20,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 55% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $104,144
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $916,825
- Net Return
- $812,681
- ROI Multiple
- 8.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $26,036
- Median Debt
- $20,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Columbia International University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Columbia International University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.14%, a more modest figure. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 1.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $71,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.14%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 1.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 11.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $97,415
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $4,854,142
- Federal Grants
- $1,705,366
- Investment Income
- $-8,916,480
Top Programs
The fields Columbia International University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 24%
- Education 11% $40,390 early-career
- Health Professions 8%
- Communications 8% $28,558 early-career
- Humanities 7%
- Psychology 5% $26,097 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 1%
- English & Literature 1%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Columbia International University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Columbia International University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Columbia International University, located in Columbia, South Carolina, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 94%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 21. The graduation rate is roughly 55%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Columbia International University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Columbia International University is $27,900, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $26,036. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $21,955 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,000 in federal student loans.
Is Columbia International University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Columbia International University report median earnings of $38,951, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Columbia International University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Columbia International University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.14%, a more modest figure. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 1.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $71,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Columbia International University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Columbia International University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.53, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Columbia International University.
- Herzing University-MinneapolisSt. Louis Park, MN · Close peer61% grad $36,909 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Blue Mountain Christian UniversityBlue Mountain, MS · Close peer53% grad $40,421 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Cairn University-LanghorneLanghorne, PA · Close peer62% grad $44,172 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Herzing University-OrlandoWinter Park, FL · Close peer39% grad $36,909 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Wilson CollegeChambersburg, PA · Close peer50% grad $43,326 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Herzing University-KenoshaKenosha, WI · Close peer63% grad $36,909 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Columbia International University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Columbia International University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.53, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note