American Public University System (APSU) vs California Intercontinental University
American Public University System (APUS) and California Intercontinental University (CIU) are two distinct institutions of higher learning that cater to diverse student populations. APUS, a public university, boasts a higher acceptance rate (100%) compared to CIU's selective admissions policy (60%). Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with APUS excelling in business, management, and information technology, while CIU specializes in business, psychology, and criminal justice. APUS attracts a larger student body, with over 100,000 students enrolled, while CIU maintains a smaller student population of around 10,000. While APUS has a higher graduation rate (60%) than CIU (40%), both universities provide ample support services to help students succeed. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and goals.
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![]() American Public University System |
![]() California Intercontinental University |
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Overview |
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Location | Charles Town, West Virginia | Irvine, California |
Campus setting | Town: Fringe | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (For Profit) | Private (For Profit) |
Calendar system | Non Traditional | Non Traditional |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 91.0% | |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | Open Admission | Open Admission |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$25
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|
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | ||
Total number of admissions given out | ||
Admitted students who chose to enroll | ||
Yield rate | ||
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | Not required | |
High school GPA | N/A | N/A |
Recommendation letters | N/A | N/A |
High school transcript | N/A | N/A |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | N/A | N/A |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $17,496 | $28,375 |
Average net price | $11,916 | |
Tuition | $6,840 | $9,720 |
Room & board | ||
Available payment plans |
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|
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
78.0%
Average amount $5,082 |
|
Students receiving federal student loan |
36.0%
Average amount $8,334 |
|
Students taking out private loans |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
38,969
Men 63.6% Women 36.4% |
160
Men 51.2% Women 48.8% |
Graduate students |
9,329
Men 61.1% Women 38.9% |
313
Men 57.2% Women 42.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 1.3% | N/A |
Campus local/setting | Town: Fringe | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | N/A | N/A |
First year students are required to live on campus? | N/A | N/A |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 22:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Distance Education Accrediting Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 49.3% | 100.0% |
Dropout rate | 33.6% | N/A |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's Degrees)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Master's Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Master's Degrees)
International/Global Studies (Master's Degrees)
Homeland Security (Master's Degrees)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fire Protection (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
International/Global Studies (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
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Health and Medical Administrative Services (Doctoral Degrees)
International Business (Doctoral Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Doctoral Degrees)
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