Columbia International vs Messenger College

Columbia International University and Messenger College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences tailored to diverse student aspirations. Columbia International University, rooted in a Christian worldview, fosters a close-knit community with a low acceptance rate of 48%, while Messenger College embraces a more open admissions policy with an acceptance rate of 100%. While Columbia International University excels in the fields of Bible and Theological Studies, Messenger College shines in Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further distinctions, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and additional program offerings, to make an informed decision that aligns with your academic goals and personal preferences.
Columbia International University logo

Columbia International University

Messenger College logo

Messenger College

Overview

Location Columbia, South Carolina Bedford, Texas
Campus setting City: Midsize Suburb: Large
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
Students retention rate 64.0% 50.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation Protestant

Admission

Acceptance rate 45.6% 100.0%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $25

Graduate: $25
$35
SAT range 940 - 1135 N/A
ACT range 17 - 24 N/A
Students submitting SAT score 39.0%
Students submitting ACT score 21.0%
Total number of applicants 526 8
Total number of admissions given out 240 8
Admitted students who chose to enroll 176 7
Yield rate 73.3% 87.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required 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 $26,341
Average net price $20,088 $14,115
Tuition $24,490 $8,400
Room & board $8,950
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

96.0%
Average amount $17,706
100.0%
Average amount $8,310
Students receiving federal student loan 66.0%
Average amount $5,128
100.0%
Average amount $5,500
Students taking out private loans 7.0%
Average amount $9,004
0.0%
Average amount $0

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 905
Men 46.2% Women 53.8%
31
Men 41.9% Women 58.1%
Graduate students 1,433
Men 47.6% Women 52.4%
N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Moderate
Out-of-state students 47.6% 75.0%
International students 14.2% N/A
Campus local/setting City: Midsize Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity 400 68
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 Arkansas Colorado Oklahoma Texas

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Theology
  • Education
  • Business
  • Psychology
  • Liberal Arts
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies
  • Theology
Students to faculty ratio 16:1 10:1
Institutional accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools

Outcome

Graduation rate 62.1% 46.1%
Dropout rate 16.8% 38.5%
Transferred out 19.0% 7.7%
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
N/A

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