Columbia International vs Cornell

Columbia International University and Cornell University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, stand apart in their unique offerings and student experiences. Columbia International University, a private Christian university in South Carolina, fosters a close-knit community with a focus on faith-based education. In contrast, Cornell University, an Ivy League institution in New York, boasts a large and diverse student body, renowned faculty, and a vast array of academic programs. While both universities offer a transformative educational experience, their acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates vary significantly. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Columbia International University	Cornell University
Overview
Location	Columbia, South Carolina	Ithaca, New York
Campus setting	City: Midsize	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	64.0%	97.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	45.6%	8.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $25 Graduate: $25	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $105
SAT range	940 - 1135	1450 - 1560
ACT range	17 - 24	33 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	39.0%	41.0%
Students submitting ACT score	21.0%	20.0%
Total number of applicants	526	67,380
Total number of admissions given out	240	5,852
Admitted students who chose to enroll	176	3,718
Yield rate	73.3%	63.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$38,700	$80,287
Average net price	$20,088	$24,262
Tuition	$24,490	$60,286
Room & board	$8,950	Room/dormitory: $9,962 Meal plan: $6,434
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	96.0% Average amount $17,706	50.0% Average amount $52,674
Students receiving federal student loan	66.0% Average amount $5,128	26.0% Average amount $3,924
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $9,004	16.0% Average amount $8,357

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	905 Men 46.2% Women 53.8%	15,503 Men 46.1% Women 53.9%
Graduate students	1,433 Men 47.6% Women 52.4%	10,079 Men 51.0% Women 49.0%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	47.6%	64.3%
International students	14.2%	24.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	400	7,422
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	South Carolina Florida North Carolina Georgia Texas	New York California New Jersey Florida Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Theology Education Business Psychology Liberal Arts	Business Engineering Agriculture Computer and Information Science Legal Profession
Students to faculty ratio	16:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	62.1%	94.1%
Dropout rate	16.8%	5.2%
Transferred out	19.0%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Theology and Religious Vocations, Other (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $28,960 Year 3: $43,723 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $30,119 Year 3: $33,137 Bible/Biblical Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $27,420 Year 2: $24,421 Year 3: $25,579 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: N/A Year 3: $23,982 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $21,964 Year 3: $23,347 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $24,035 Year 3: N/A Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $33,993 Year 3: N/A Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $24,421 Year 3: N/A Theological and Ministerial Studies (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $35,420 Year 3: N/A Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $23,351 Year 3: N/A	Law (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $185,154 Year 2: $172,867 Year 3: $207,272 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $150,786 Year 2: $145,332 Year 3: $167,695 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $127,764 Year 2: $122,485 Year 3: $158,076 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $147,241 Year 2: $127,397 Year 3: $155,653 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $114,311 Year 2: $111,926 Year 3: $126,082 Operations Research (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,067 Year 2: $109,763 Year 3: $124,590 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $88,459 Year 2: $92,277 Year 3: $109,597 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,672 Year 2: $97,071 Year 3: $109,553 Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $95,847 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $107,658 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $101,072 Year 3: $106,693

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary differences in mission and focus between Columbia International University (CIU) and Cornell University?

Columbia International University is a private, Christian university with a strong emphasis on biblical worldview integration across all disciplines and preparing students for ministry and global engagement. Cornell University, on the other hand, is a private Ivy League research university with a broader mission encompassing a wide range of academic fields and a focus on research, innovation, and public engagement. Cornell is non-sectarian.
How do the academic programs offered at CIU and Cornell differ?

CIU primarily offers programs in ministry, theology, education, and related fields, with a focus on preparing students for Christian service. Cornell offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across diverse fields, including engineering, agriculture, business, law, medicine, and the humanities. Cornell's academic breadth is significantly wider.
What is the difference in campus culture and student life at CIU and Cornell?

CIU fosters a close-knit, faith-based community with a strong emphasis on spiritual development and service. Student life revolves around Christian activities, chapel services, and community outreach. Cornell has a more diverse and secular campus culture with a wide array of student organizations, activities, and social events catering to various interests. Cornell's size and diversity contribute to a more varied student experience.
How do the admissions requirements and selectivity compare between CIU and Cornell?

Cornell University is highly selective, with a low acceptance rate and rigorous admissions requirements, including high standardized test scores, strong academic records, and compelling essays. CIU has a more accessible admissions process, with a higher acceptance rate and less stringent academic requirements. Cornell's admissions are significantly more competitive.
What is the difference in tuition and financial aid options at CIU and Cornell?

Tuition at Cornell University is significantly higher than at CIU. Both institutions offer financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and loans. However, the availability and amount of financial aid may vary depending on individual circumstances and institutional resources. CIU may offer specific scholarships related to ministry or Christian service.
How do the faculty and research opportunities differ between CIU and Cornell?

Cornell boasts a large and distinguished faculty, many of whom are leading researchers in their respective fields. The university offers extensive research opportunities across various disciplines, with state-of-the-art facilities and funding. CIU has a smaller faculty with expertise primarily in ministry-related fields. Research opportunities are more limited at CIU, focusing on areas relevant to its mission.
What is the difference in location and campus setting between CIU and Cornell?

CIU is located in Columbia, South Carolina, offering a suburban setting. Cornell University is located in Ithaca, New York, a college town in the Finger Lakes region, providing a more rural and scenic environment. The size and resources of the surrounding communities also differ significantly.
How do the career services and alumni networks compare between CIU and Cornell?

Cornell has a well-established career services center that provides comprehensive support to students in their career exploration and job search. Its extensive alumni network spans various industries and professions worldwide. CIU offers career services tailored to students pursuing ministry and related fields. Its alumni network is smaller and primarily focused on Christian organizations and churches.
Are there any similarities between CIU and Cornell?

Both CIU and Cornell are institutions of higher learning committed to providing students with an education. Both offer a range of degree programs and opportunities for personal and intellectual growth. Both institutions also value community engagement, although the nature and scope of that engagement differ significantly.
Which university is better for me: CIU or Cornell?

The best university for you depends entirely on your individual goals, values, and academic interests. If you are seeking a deeply faith-based education focused on ministry and Christian service, CIU may be a better fit. If you are seeking a broad-based education at a top-tier research university with diverse academic programs and extensive research opportunities, Cornell may be a better choice. Consider your academic interests, career aspirations, and personal values when making your decision.

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