CofC vs. Columbia International University

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Charleston in Charleston, SC with Columbia International University in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Charleston is larger than Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 2,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Charleston is located in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting); Columbia International University is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia International University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Charleston 16:1; Columbia International University 13:1.

CofC vs. Columbia International University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CofC or Columbia International University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of Charleston than Columbia International University ($21,004 vs. $26,056).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia International University are 16.6% lower than at College of Charleston ($11,950 vs. $14,332).
• Columbia International University is 115% more expensive for in-state tuition than CofC (about $14,922 more per year; $27,900.00 vs. $12,978.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.3% higher at CofC than at Columbia International University (about $10,396 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $27,900.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston as at Columbia International University (95% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 89.3% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($17,009 vs. $8,983).

CofC vs. Columbia International University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CofC or Columbia International University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Columbia International University and CofC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 140 points higher than at Columbia International University (1090).
• Incoming CofC students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 20 at Columbia International University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: College of Charleston 1140/1310; Columbia International University 990/1195.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: College of Charleston 25/30; Columbia International University 16/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CofC - Test optional; Columbia International University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027; Columbia International University Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman CofC students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Columbia International University (3.5).
• Columbia International University has a higher acceptance rate (94.5%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.9% at CofC vs. 35.1% at Columbia International University.

CofC vs. Columbia International University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CofC and Columbia International University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• College of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Columbia International University's (57%).
• Graduates from College of Charleston earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than Columbia International University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $33,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia International University and CofC graduates have the same median loan debt ($21,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Columbia International University and CofC graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($222 vs. $222).
• More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CofC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.