Columbia International vs University of Virginia-Main Campus (UVA)

Columbia International University and University of Virginia-Main Campus stand as distinct institutions of higher learning, each offering unique opportunities and experiences to their students. Columbia International University, a private Christian university, welcomes a diverse student body from over 80 countries, fostering a tight-knit community with a strong emphasis on spiritual growth and service. In contrast, University of Virginia-Main Campus, a public research university, boasts a large and vibrant student population, renowned for its academic excellence and cutting-edge research facilities. While both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, Columbia International University excels in fields such as Biblical Studies and Intercultural Studies, while University of Virginia-Main Campus shines in areas like Engineering, Business, and Medicine. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about the acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates of these two esteemed institutions, and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Columbia International University	University of Virginia-Main Campus
Overview
Location	Columbia, South Carolina	Charlottesville, Virginia
Campus setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
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%	20.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $25 Graduate: $25	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $85
SAT range	940 - 1135	1380 - 1500
ACT range	17 - 24	32 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	39.0%	52.0%
Students submitting ACT score	21.0%	21.0%
Total number of applicants	526	47,971
Total number of admissions given out	240	9,951
Admitted students who chose to enroll	176	3,889
Yield rate	73.3%	39.1%
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	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$38,700	In state: $36,314 Out of state: $70,696
Average net price	$20,088	$20,401
Tuition	$24,490	In state: $16,010 Out of state: $49,710
Room & board	$8,950	Room/dormitory: $7,110 Meal plan: $5,550
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	96.0% Average amount $17,706	46.0% Average amount $19,612
Students receiving federal student loan	66.0% Average amount $5,128	25.0% Average amount $4,845
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $9,004	6.0% Average amount $11,030

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	905 Men 46.2% Women 53.8%	17,294 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%
Graduate students	1,433 Men 47.6% Women 52.4%	8,711 Men 46.9% Women 53.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	47.6%	35.2%
International students	14.2%	8.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity	400	7,645
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	Virginia New York Maryland Pennsylvania New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Theology Education Business Psychology Liberal Arts	Business Health Professions Engineering Social Sciences Education
Students to faculty ratio	16:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	62.1%	93.7%
Dropout rate	16.8%	2.3%
Transferred out	19.0%	3.6%
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 (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $185,710 Year 2: $162,255 Year 3: $193,013 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $157,071 Year 2: $155,263 Year 3: $176,237 Computer Software and Media Applications (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,350 Year 2: $101,406 Year 3: $125,729 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $103,426 Year 2: $107,256 Year 3: $120,362 Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $108,239 Year 2: $95,739 Year 3: $109,956 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $83,639 Year 2: $92,077 Year 3: $108,272 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $84,682 Year 2: $90,146 Year 3: $101,904 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,602 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $95,939 Systems Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $79,487 Year 2: $82,808 Year 3: $94,931 Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,807 Year 2: $70,596 Year 3: $84,597

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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. The University of Virginia, a public institution, is a comprehensive research university with a broad range of academic programs and a focus on advancing knowledge and serving the Commonwealth of Virginia and the world.
How do the academic programs offered at CIU and UVA compare?

UVA offers a vast array of undergraduate and graduate programs across numerous schools, including Arts & Sciences, Engineering, Law, Medicine, and Business. CIU's academic offerings are more focused, primarily in areas such as Bible, ministry, education, and intercultural studies. While UVA provides a wider selection of majors and specializations, CIU offers a more specialized, faith-based education.
What is the difference in campus culture and student life at CIU and UVA?

CIU fosters a close-knit, Christ-centered community with a strong emphasis on spiritual formation and discipleship. Student life revolves around chapel services, ministry opportunities, and community outreach. UVA has a large and diverse student body with a vibrant campus culture that includes a wide range of clubs, organizations, Greek life, and athletic events. UVA's culture is more secular and emphasizes academic excellence, leadership, and social engagement.
How do the tuition costs and financial aid options compare between CIU and UVA?

CIU, as a private institution, generally has a higher tuition rate than UVA for in-state students. However, CIU offers various scholarships and financial aid packages specifically for students seeking a Christian education. UVA, as a public university, offers lower tuition rates for Virginia residents. Both institutions provide financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and loans, to help students finance their education. The actual cost will vary depending on individual circumstances and eligibility for aid.
What is the size and location difference between CIU and UVA?

CIU is located in Columbia, South Carolina, and has a smaller campus and student body, fostering a more intimate learning environment. UVA is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and has a larger campus and student population, offering a more diverse and expansive university experience.
How does the admissions process differ between CIU and UVA?

UVA's admissions process is highly competitive, emphasizing academic achievement, standardized test scores, extracurricular involvement, and essays. CIU's admissions process also considers academic qualifications but places a greater emphasis on the applicant's Christian faith, character, and commitment to ministry. CIU may require a personal testimony or a recommendation from a pastor or church leader.
What are the career prospects for graduates of CIU and UVA?

UVA graduates have strong career prospects across a wide range of industries due to the university's reputation and comprehensive academic programs. CIU graduates are well-prepared for careers in ministry, missions, education, and other fields where a strong Christian worldview is valued. While UVA's broader reputation may open doors to more diverse career paths, CIU provides specialized training for specific vocations.
Does either school have a strong focus on athletics?

UVA has a very strong athletic program, particularly in basketball, football, and baseball, competing at the NCAA Division I level in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). CIU also has athletic programs, but they are typically at the NAIA level and are not as widely recognized as UVA's. UVA offers a much more prominent and competitive athletic environment.
What kind of student is best suited for CIU versus UVA?

CIU is best suited for students who are deeply committed to their Christian faith and seeking a biblically-integrated education to prepare them for ministry or service-oriented careers. UVA is a better fit for students seeking a broad-based education at a large, public research university with diverse academic programs and a vibrant campus life.
Are there opportunities for research at both CIU and UVA?

UVA is a major research university with extensive research opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students across various disciplines. CIU's research opportunities are more limited and primarily focused on theological and ministry-related topics. Students interested in pursuing extensive research should strongly consider UVA.

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