Columbia International University serves students called to ministry and faith-based service, providing specialized Christian education in a supportive community environment.
While earnings outcomes are modest, the university maintains strong affordability and helps students successfully manage debt as they pursue careers prioritizing mission over financial returns.
Columbia International University is a small private Christian university in South Carolina that serves students called to ministry and faith-based careers. While CIU ranks in the lower tier nationally for earnings outcomes, with graduates earning a median of $38,951 ten years after enrollment, the institution fulfills a distinct mission for students pursuing biblical studies, ministry, and service-oriented fields where financial returns are typically modest but personal fulfillment runs high.
The university maintains reasonable affordability, particularly for middle-income families who pay around $15,633 annually in net costs. About 28% of students receive Pell Grants, and the institution supports a substantial share of first-generation college students. CIU's mobility classification as "Opportunity Builders" reflects its role in providing access to higher education for students from diverse backgrounds, even as earnings outcomes remain below typical university levels.
For families who understand that ministry and faith-based careers often involve financial trade-offs, CIU offers a focused educational experience aligned with Christian values. The university's small size and specialized mission create a tight-knit community where students prepare for callings that prioritize service over salary, making it a good fit for those whose career goals align with the institution's religious focus.
Columbia International University's academic focus centers on biblical and theological education, with Bible/Biblical Studies serving as the institution's flagship program. This major graduates 63 students annually and represents the core of CIU's mission to prepare students for ministry, pastoral work, and faith-based service careers. While median earnings for these graduates are around $24,421 ten years out, this reflects the typical compensation structure in ministry and religious work rather than any shortcoming in the education provided.
The university's program portfolio is intentionally focused on preparing students for careers in ministry, missions, biblical studies, and related faith-based fields. Students choosing CIU understand that their career paths will prioritize spiritual calling and service impact over financial compensation. The concentrated program mix creates a cohesive educational community where students share similar values and career aspirations, fostering strong peer relationships and mentorship opportunities within the faith-based career ecosystem.
As a specialized institution, CIU graduates a focused cohort each year into ministry and service roles, creating meaningful connections within religious organizations and faith-based nonprofits. This network strength matters more for career placement and spiritual support than for maximizing earning potential, aligning with the institution's mission and student expectations.
Columbia International University graduates enter careers where financial returns are typically modest, reflecting the institution's focus on ministry and faith-based service. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $38,951, which places the university in the lower tier nationally for earnings outcomes. This performance reflects both the nature of careers that CIU graduates typically pursue and the reality that ministry, biblical studies, and service-oriented fields generally offer lower financial compensation than business, engineering, or technology careers.
The university's strongest program by enrollment and aggregate return is Bible/Biblical Studies, which graduates 63 students annually with median earnings around $24,421 ten years out. While these earnings are modest by national standards, they align with typical compensation in ministry, pastoral work, and faith-based nonprofit sectors. Students choosing CIU generally understand that their career paths prioritize mission and service over maximum earning potential, making financial outcomes secondary to personal calling and spiritual fulfillment.
For students committed to ministry or faith-based careers, CIU provides the specialized education and community needed to succeed in these fields, even though the financial returns will be lower than at institutions focused on business, technology, or other higher-paying career paths.
Columbia International University offers reasonable affordability, particularly for middle-income families. Low-income students pay around $17,430 annually, while middle-income families see net costs of approximately $15,633 per year, making CIU more affordable for middle-income students than many private institutions. High-income families pay about $27,598 annually, which reflects the university's tuition structure and financial aid distribution.
Debt levels at CIU are generally manageable relative to the institution's mission and typical graduate earnings. Students typically leave with about $20,000 in federal loan debt, and Parent PLUS borrowing averages around $11,915, both reasonable amounts for a private university education. The institution maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates, despite modest earnings, are able to manage their debt obligations successfully.
The combination of moderate net prices and manageable debt levels makes CIU accessible for families committed to faith-based education, even though the financial returns will be lower than at institutions focused on higher-earning career paths. For families who prioritize mission and values over maximum financial outcomes, CIU's affordability structure supports their educational goals.
Columbia International University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
