by our College Data Analytics TeamIs CIU worth the money? College Factual’s value analysis weighs the quality of education against the cost. Here is the verdict.
CIU is ranked #2,061 out of 3,211 schools for value nationwide, earning a value grade of A- (top 20% for value). Within South Carolina, it ranks #42 of 61 for value.
Among the majors CIU offers, these rank best for value nationally.
| Major | National Value Rank |
|---|---|
| Humanities | #82 of 106 |
| Liberal Arts | #265 of 345 |
| Liberal Arts General Studies | #376 of 473 |
| Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities | #376 of 473 |
Below is the detailed CIU value breakdown: state and national value rankings, the real cost of a degree, and how the price stacks up against the aid most students receive.
Columbia International University is ranked #12 out of #62 in South Carolina for quality and #42 out of #61 for South Carolina value.
Do you qualify for in-state tuition? Check the CIU financial aid page to be sure.
Columbia International University is ranked #2,061 out of 3,211 for value nationwide.
Columbia International University is priced competitively for the quality of education it provides, earning it a good value recognition from College Factual.
Averaged across all students — those who receive aid and those who pay full price — a year at CIU costs about $27,739. Over a standard four-year bachelor's program, that adds up to an estimated $110,956 for the degree.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sticker Price (before aid) | $43,065 / year |
| Net Price (students receiving aid) | $26,036 / year |
| Average Cost (all students) | $27,739 / year |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $110,956 |
*The average cost weights the net price paid by aid recipients against the sticker price paid by everyone else. The 4-year figure assumes the standard bachelor's length; your actual time to graduate and price may differ.
Your price depends heavily on your family income and the aid you qualify for. See the CIU net price page for a fuller breakdown of what you might actually pay.
The price you actually pay depends on your circumstances — most students do not pay the full sticker price.
Here is how the estimated 4-year cost of a CIU degree breaks down by aid group, against its national value ranking.
| Nationwide Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $172,260 | — | — |
| All Students | $110,956 | #2,061 | A- |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $104,144 | — | — |
| In-State Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $172,260 | — | — |
| All Students | $110,956 | #42 | B+ |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $104,144 | — | — |
*College Factual publishes a single overall value ranking (the All Students row). The cost rows show what each aid group pays toward the same degree.
You can also see how the average net price at CIU shifts with family income:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price / Year |
|---|---|
| $0–$30K | $17,430 |
| $30K–$48K | $21,740 |
| $48K–$75K | $15,633 |
| $75K–$110K | $24,406 |
| Over $110K | $27,598 |
About 90% of CIU undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, averaging $17,570 per year. Get more details on the CIU financial aid you may qualify for.
College Factual determines value by weighing a school’s average total cost against its educational quality, then comparing it to other schools in the same quality tier. See the CIU net price page for the cost detail.
Read the full Best for the Money Ranking Methodology.