Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Columbia International University #1443 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $19,256 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Columbia International University in the 6.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Columbia International University #1102 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Columbia International University #1443 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Columbia International University is a private master's university in Columbia, SC, enrolling roughly 716 undergraduates. The institution maintains a 53.3% freshman retention rate and a 46.8% six-year graduation rate. Columbia International University's composite position reflects a distinctive mission-driven profile. The institution concentrates heavily in Theology, which shapes both its academic identity and graduate outcomes. Azimuth ranks Columbia International University #1442 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $19,256 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Columbia International University in the 6.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and affordability round out the composite picture. Columbia International University enrolls 34.2% Pell-eligible students and 24.1% first-generation undergraduates, reflecting a student body with meaningful financial need. Azimuth ranks Columbia International University in the 13.9 percentile for access and the 47.3 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. For students called to faith-centered education with strong academic outcomes, Columbia International University offers a focused pathway grounded in its theological mission and supported by measurable graduate success.
Columbia International University's published cost of attendance is $43,045. Need-based financial aid shapes net price across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $21,955, middle-income families pay around $23,535, and higher-income families pay approximately $29,751. Azimuth ranks Columbia International University #751 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Columbia International University participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The institution's aid structure is need-based, with awards determined by demonstrated financial need and available institutional resources. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $12,275; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $40,332, median federal debt of $20,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $226 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Columbia International University is a strong fit for students drawn to theology and ministry fields who want a private nonprofit university experience in Columbia, SC. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $40,332, placing Columbia International University in the 1.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $19,256 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Columbia International University in the 6.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 34.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 24.1% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Columbia International University in the 4.7 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions. Published cost of attendance is $29,751, and low-income families pay a net price of approximately $29,751 after need-based aid. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 94.5% admit rate makes the application process competitive, and the program mix favors theology-oriented fields over applied-professional ones. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package among the strongest in the country.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Columbia International University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Marymount Manhattan College Similar quality tier (#36260 ranked) | NY | 83% | $49,131 | #36260 | Compare |
Ringling College Of Art And Design Similar quality tier in Southeast (#36259 ranked) | FL | 70% | $43,325 | #36259 | Compare |
Warren Wilson College Similar quality tier in Southeast (#36268 ranked) | NC | 71% | $36,260 | #36268 | Compare |
Naropa University Similar quality tier (#36258 ranked) | CO | 100% | $28,720 | #36258 | Compare |
Landmark College Similar quality tier (#36257 ranked) | VT | 49% | $29,813 | #36257 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Columbia International University's published cost of attendance is $43,045. Need-based financial aid shapes net price across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $21,955, middle-income families pay around $23,535, and higher-income families pay approximately $29,751.
Azimuth ranks Columbia International University #751 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Columbia International University participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
The institution's aid structure is need-based, with awards determined by demonstrated financial need and available institutional resources. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $12,275; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $40,332, median federal debt of $20,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $226 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Columbia International University earn median 4-year earnings of $40,332, placing the institution in the 1.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $19,256 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Columbia International University in the 6.3 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Columbia International University #1442 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects the institution's theological and ministerial focus.
Business Administration is the largest program with 38 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $40,432, representing 0.6× the national benchmark for the field. Bible/Biblical Studies enrolls 32 graduates with median 4-year earnings of $38,117, at 0.9× the CIP benchmark.
General Studies and Teacher Education round out the core program portfolio, with Teacher Education graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $43,210 at 0.9× benchmark. These outcomes reflect the specialized nature of theological education and the career pathways available to graduates in ministry, chaplaincy, and faith-based organizational leadership.
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
23 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
14 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
38 graduates
Bible/Biblical Studies
32 graduates
Communication and Media Studies
5 graduates
Columbia International University's program mix centers on theology, biblical studies, and religious education—a portfolio shaped by the institution's identity as a Christian liberal arts university. Business Administration is the largest program with 38 graduates, followed by Bible/Biblical Studies with 32 graduates, General Studies with 23 graduates, Teacher Education with 14 graduates, and Psychology, General with 13 graduates.
Across 11 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold. The highest-earning programs reflect the institution's curricular strengths in applied religious and professional fields.
Teacher Education graduates earn median earnings of $43,210 four years after enrollment, while Business Administration graduates earn $40,432 and Bible/Biblical Studies graduates earn $38,117. These outcomes reflect the career trajectories of students entering ministry, nonprofit leadership, and faith-based organizational roles—pathways where four-year earnings capture direct workforce entry rather than graduate-degree-dependent trajectories.
The program distribution—with Business representing 22% of graduates and Education representing 9%—underscores Columbia International University's positioning as a faith-formation institution serving students called to religious vocations and Christian service leadership. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these specialized program families align with the nonprofit and faith-sector labor markets where most graduates pursue careers.
