Columbia International University (CIU)
Private nonprofit four-year university in Columbia, SC that costs an average of $18,951 a year after financial aid, admits 94% of applicants and graduates 50% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$18,951
Acceptance rate
94%
Graduation rate
50%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$44,657
Private nonprofitMidsize city716 undergraduates
Cost of CIU
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $42,083 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $27,900 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $11,950 |
| Books and supplies | $1,700 |
| Average net price after aid | $18,951 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $17,759 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $16,364 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $17,142 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $20,496 |
| $110,001+ | $20,504 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with CIU's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 94% |
|---|---|
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 50% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 53% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $38,628 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $44,657 |
| Rank in South Carolina (earnings) | 26th of 35 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $21,000 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $239 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 32% |
| Students with federal loans | 36% |
Majors and programs at CIU
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (28)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 67 | $34,696 | $19,500 |
| Bible/Biblical Studies | 54 | $32,463 | $20,199 |
| Area Studies | — | — | — |
| Biology | — | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 14 | — | — |
| Education | 3 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 3 | — | — |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | 1 | — | — |
| Homeland Security | 1 | — | — |
| Human Services | 27 | — | — |
| Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies | — | — | — |
| International/Globalization Studies | 2 | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 41 | — | — |
| Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | — | — | — |
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology | 19 | — | — |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | 11 | — | — |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies | 2 | — | — |
| Psychology | 17 | — | — |
| Public Health | — | — | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 6 | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 13 | — | — |
| Religious Education | 5 | — | — |
| Religious Music and Worship | 1 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 26 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 13 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | — | — | — |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | — | — | — |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 25 | — | — |
Certificate programs (2)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bible/Biblical Studies | — | — | — |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 2 | — | — |
Associate's degree programs (5)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bible/Biblical Studies | 23 | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 6 | — | — |
| Human Services | 3 | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 4 | — | — |
| Public Health | 2 | — | — |
Post-baccalaureate certificate programs (2)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology | — | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | — | — | — |
Master's degree programs (22)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bible/Biblical Studies | 4 | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 113 | — | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 40 | — | — |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | — | — | — |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 211 | — | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 14 | — | — |
| Homeland Security | 2 | — | — |
| Human Services | — | — | — |
| Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies | — | — | — |
| International/Globalization Studies | 3 | — | — |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | — | — | — |
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology | 69 | — | — |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | 11 | — | — |
| Public Administration | 7 | — | — |
| Public Health | 1 | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 5 | — | — |
| Religious Education | — | — | — |
| Social Sciences | — | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 19 | — | — |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | 21 | — | — |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 101 | — | — |
| Theology and Religious Vocations, Other | 8 | — | — |
Doctoral degree programs (7)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 94 | $74,515 | $52,862 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | — | — | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 15 | — | — |
| Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies | — | — | — |
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology | 24 | — | — |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 1 | — | — |
| Theology and Religious Vocations, Other | 35 | — | — |
Professional degree programs (10)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | — | $56,984 | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | — | $39,399 | — |
| Bible/Biblical Studies | — | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | — | — | $34,500 |
| International/Globalization Studies | — | — | — |
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology | — | — | — |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | — | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | — | — | — |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | — | — | — |
| Theology and Religious Vocations, Other | — | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (6)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bible/Biblical Studies | 10 | — | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 16 | — | — |
| Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies | 2 | — | — |
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology | 1 | — | — |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | — | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 1 | — | — |
Similar colleges in South Carolina
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Wesleyan University | Central | $16,041 | 100% | $48,710 |
| Erskine College | Due West | $19,826 | 63% | $53,830 |
| Coker University | Hartsville | $24,908 | 94% | $45,746 |
| Presbyterian College | Clinton | $20,154 | 68% | $61,828 |
| Allen University | Columbia | $13,432 | 73% | $32,754 |
| Voorhees University | Denmark | $16,674 | — | $36,292 |
| Converse University | Spartanburg | $23,526 | 68% | $45,726 |
| Morris College | Sumter | $22,920 | — | $37,276 |
About CIU
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Columbia, SC |
| Setting | Midsize city |
| Undergraduates | 716 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 13 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
| Website | ciu.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is CIU's acceptance rate?
Columbia International University admits 94% of applicants.
How much does CIU cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $42,083 a year (tuition and fees: $27,900). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $18,951 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $17,759.
How much do CIU graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $44,657 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 26th of 35 similar colleges in South Carolina. The best-paid bachelor's program is business administration, management and operations ($34,696 a year after graduation).
What is CIU's graduation rate?
50% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 53% of first-year students return for a second year.