Columbia International University vs. Coastal Carolina

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia International University in Columbia, SC with Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Coastal Carolina University is larger than Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (11,348 students vs. 2,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia International University is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Coastal Carolina University is in Conway, SC (Small City setting).
• Columbia International University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Coastal Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia International University 13:1; Coastal Carolina University 17:1.

Columbia International University vs. Coastal Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia International University or Coastal Carolina? 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 Coastal Carolina University than Columbia International University ($14,379 vs. $26,056).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia International University are 1.6% lower than at Coastal Carolina University ($11,950 vs. $12,146).
• Columbia International University is 139.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Coastal Carolina (about $16,260 more per year; $27,900.00 vs. $11,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at Coastal Carolina than at Columbia International University (about $1,728 more per year; $29,628.00 vs. $27,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia International University than at Coastal Carolina University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 68.6% larger than aid received by Coastal Carolina University students ($17,009 vs. $10,087).

Columbia International University vs. Coastal Carolina Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia International University or Coastal Carolina? 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 Coastal Carolina and Columbia International University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Coastal Carolina University (1140) is 50 points higher than at Columbia International University (1090).
• Incoming Coastal Carolina students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Columbia International University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Columbia International University 990/1195; Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Columbia International University 16/25; Coastal Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia International University - Test optional; Coastal Carolina - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia International University Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Coastal Carolina students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Columbia International University (3.5).
• Columbia International University has a higher acceptance rate (94.5%) than Coastal Carolina (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.1% at Columbia International University vs. 16.9% at Coastal Carolina.

Columbia International University vs. Coastal Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia International University and Coastal Carolina? 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.

• Columbia International University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Coastal Carolina University's (46%).
• Graduates from Coastal Carolina University earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than Columbia International University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $33,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia International University graduates have a $3,430 lower median loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,930).
• Among borrowers, Columbia International University graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coastal Carolina graduates ($222 vs. $257).
• More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coastal Carolina students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 54%)

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.