Is Columbia International University a Christian college?

Yes. Columbia International University is a Christian college.

What is Columbia International University’s Compass Score?

75 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.

Where is chapel held at Columbia International University?

Chapel is listed at Shortess Chapel. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the college’s spiritual life office before you go.

Christian college

#1 Christian colleges with the strongest Bible and theology in America

Columbia International University

Columbia, SC · Private nonprofit · 4-year · Other Protestant

Real cost

Average price after aid $26,036 a year

Median debt at graduation: $20,000 (all students)

Estimate your own price · the college’s net price calculator

Columbia International University is a Christ-centered university in Columbia, South Carolina. Chapel meets three times a week and undergraduate attendance is required. The Bible and Theology core includes six required courses, including Old and New Testament surveys, and the university publishes a Statement of Faith.

Faith life at a glance

A week at Columbia International University

MonToday
- 10:00AMChapel
TueToday
No set time
WedToday
- 10:00AMChapel
ThuToday
No set time
FriToday
- 10:00AMChapel
SatToday
No set time
SunToday
No set time

No set time: Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun

Times as the college publishes them. Check before you plan a visit.

In the college’s own words

“CIU holds to a biblical Statement of Faith that serves as the foundation for everything we teach.”
Source: ciu.edu
“Spiritual growth is at the heart of everything we do.”
Source: ciu.edu
“Our dedicated Prayer Days are a time to unite as a campus community and lift up our hearts to God.”
Source: ciu.edu

Questions students ask

Do I have to go to chapel?

Chapel attendance is required in CIU's academic structure, and ten absences are built in for medical and other appointments.

Source: my.ciu.edu

What's a normal week?

Chapel meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 to 10:50 a.m. in Shortess Chapel.

Source: my.ciu.edu

Where do I find community?

Campus life includes annual conferences and Prayer Days, when the whole campus unites in prayer.

Source: ciu.edu

Can I serve or go on mission trips?

Christian Service Learning is required, and students are encouraged to plan a cross-cultural experience.

Source: catalog.ciu.edu

Rankings

Where this college places on our top lists. Lists are worked out from official data and our faith research; places in the top quarter of each list are shown. See every list

In America

Academic Excellence

B-

48 of 100

From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

Graduation rate 35% of score47%
First-year retention 20% of score53%
Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreNot reported
Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of score13 to 1
Instructional spending per student 15% of score$5,595

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Faith scorecard

Each area’s grade and what we found. Tap an area to see the findings and their sources.

Worship and chapel

75 of 100 points · 5 of 7 found

Yes:
Chapel services during the week3 or more a week (Chapel on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (three times a week).)
Sources (1)
1. Chapel Schedule | MyCIUmy.ciu.edu/ICS/Campus_Life/Chapel · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Chapel services are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10:00 - 10:50 a.m.”
  Chapel meets three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Yes:
Chapel attendance expected of studentsRequired, with a set number of services each term (Attendance is required; undergraduates may miss ten chapels.)
Sources (1)
1. Chapel Schedule | MyCIUmy.ciu.edu/ICS/Campus_Life/Chapel · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Chapel attendance is at the heart of our CIU community and life experience, and it is required in our academic structure.”
  Chapel attendance is required.
  “Ten chapel absences are designed to support your needs for medical and other appointments”
  Undergraduates may be absent from ten chapels, so attendance is a set number each term.
Not enough information:
Student worship nights or praise servicesNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Partly:
Prayer opportunities (prayer rooms, prayer groups, days or weeks of prayer)Now and then (Prayer Days are scheduled on the chapel calendar.)
Sources (2)
1. Spiritual Formation | Columbia International Universityciu.edu/studentlife/spiritual-formation · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Our dedicated Prayer Days are a time to unite as a campus community and lift up our hearts to God.”
  Prayer Days are held on campus.
2. Chapel Schedule | MyCIUmy.ciu.edu/ICS/Campus_Life/Chapel · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Students are required to listen to every President’s chapel and attend all Prayer Days scheduled on the chapel schedule.”
  Students must attend the scheduled Prayer Days.
Not enough information:
Campus pastors or chaplains serving studentsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
A chapel or worship space on campusYes
Sources (1)
1. Chapel Schedule | MyCIUmy.ciu.edu/ICS/Campus_Life/Chapel · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Chapel Services are located in Shortess Chapel.”
  Chapel is held in Shortess Chapel on campus.
Partly:
Published weekly schedule of chapel, worship and prayer3 or 4 times a week (3 weekly times documented: 3 chapel, 0 worship night, 0 prayer.)Computed from the verified chapel services, worship nights and prayer times listed on the college's page (each day a time is offered counts once).

Bible and theology

100 of 100 points · 5 of 6 found

Yes:
Bible or theology courses required of all bachelor's students3 or more courses (Six Bible and theology courses (18 credits) in the Bible and Theology core required of all degree students.)
Sources (1)
1. Undergraduate Core | CIU Academic Catalog 2026-2027catalog.ciu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=12&poid=2276 · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “BIB 1116 - Old Testament Survey Credits: 3”
  Old Testament Survey is required in the Bible and Theology Core.
  “BIB 1120 - New Testament Survey Credits: 3”
  New Testament Survey is required in the Bible and Theology Core.
  “THE 3310 - Christian Theology Credits: 3”
  Christian Theology is required in the Bible and Theology Core.
  “Bible and Theology Core (18)”
  The Bible and Theology Core totals 18 credits.
Yes:
Required courses include study of the Old and New TestamentsRequired of all students (Old Testament Survey and New Testament Survey are both required.)
Sources (1)
1. Undergraduate Core | CIU Academic Catalog 2026-2027catalog.ciu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=12&poid=2276 · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “BIB 1116 - Old Testament Survey Credits: 3”
  Old Testament Survey is required in the Bible and Theology Core.
  “BIB 1120 - New Testament Survey Credits: 3”
  New Testament Survey is required in the Bible and Theology Core.
Not enough information:
Christian worldview or faith-and-learning courses requiredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in academic or faculty policy)Yes
Sources (1)
1. Undergraduate Core | CIU Academic Catalog 2026-2027catalog.ciu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=12&poid=2276 · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “with Bible as the core of each”
  Academic programs are described as having Bible as the core of each.
Yes:
Bible, theology or ministry major offeredYes
Sources (1)
1. Undergraduate Core | CIU Academic Catalog 2026-2027catalog.ciu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=12&poid=2276 · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Bible Teaching, BS”
  A Bible Teaching bachelor's degree is offered.
Yes:
A published statement of faithYes
Sources (1)
1. Mission & Vision | Columbia International Universityciu.edu/about/mission · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “CIU holds to a biblical Statement of Faith that serves as the foundation for everything we teach.”
  CIU publishes a Statement of Faith.

N/A

Christian community

Not enough information · 3 of 7 found

Not enough information:
Spiritual life staff (pastors, ministers and professional staff)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Retreats or spiritual emphasis weeks each yearSeveral (Four annual conferences or weeks are listed.)
Sources (1)
1. Spiritual Formation | Columbia International Universityciu.edu/studentlife/spiritual-formation · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “CIU’s annual conferences are designed to help you grow spiritually”
  CIU holds annual spiritual formation conferences.
  “Authority of Scripture Week”
  Authority of Scripture Week is one of the annual conferences listed.
Partly:
Bible studies, small groups and Christian student organizationsA few (Monday chapel periods are used for Community Groups, a campus-wide weekly small-group structure.)
Sources (1)
1. Chapel | Columbia International Universitymy.ciu.edu/ICS/Campus_Life/Chapel · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Monday chapels are typically designed for segments of the community to meet together in Community Groups”
  Monday chapel periods are used for campus Community Groups.
Not enough information:
Faculty affirm the college's statement of faithNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Faith life in residence halls (hall Bible studies, resident ministry leaders)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Help finding a local church (church fairs, rides, partner churches)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Office or senior leader for spiritual life or Christian missionYes (Spiritual Formation is a named Student Life unit.)
Sources (1)
1. Spiritual Formation | Columbia International Universityciu.edu/studentlife/spiritual-formation · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Spiritual growth is at the heart of everything we do.”
  Spiritual Formation is a named Student Life office for spiritual growth.

Missions and service

78 of 100 points · 6 of 6 found

Yes:
Service or outreach officeYes (Christian Service Learning is directed by a named director.)
Sources (1)
1. Faculty | Columbia International Universityciu.edu/academics/faculty · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Director of Christian Service Learning”
  A director leads Christian Service Learning.
Yes:
Service hours or service-learning in the curriculumRequired of all students
Sources (1)
1. Undergraduate Core | CIU Academic Catalog 2026-2027catalog.ciu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=12&poid=2276 · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Completion of Christian Service Learning requirements”
  Christian Service Learning is a graduation requirement.
Partly:
Missions trips offered to studentsSome
Sources (1)
1. Undergraduate Core | CIU Academic Catalog 2026-2027catalog.ciu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=12&poid=2276 · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Students are strongly encouraged to plan a cross-cultural experience”
  Students are encouraged to plan a cross-cultural experience.
Partly:
Partnerships with local churches and ministries for serviceSome
Sources (1)
1. Undergraduate Core | CIU Academic Catalog 2026-2027catalog.ciu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=12&poid=2276 · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “The student may also serve their local church through service in the community.”
  Students may serve through their local church and community.
Partly:
Cross-cultural or global ministry programsSome
Sources (1)
1. Undergraduate Core | CIU Academic Catalog 2026-2027catalog.ciu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=12&poid=2276 · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Students are strongly encouraged to plan a cross-cultural experience”
  Students are encouraged to plan a cross-cultural experience.
  “ICS 1210 - Discovering the Mission of God Credits: 3”
  Discovering the Mission of God is a required course.
Yes:
Service explicitly rooted in the Christian missionYes
Sources (1)
1. Undergraduate Core | CIU Academic Catalog 2026-2027catalog.ciu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=12&poid=2276 · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Students will express their worldview and values as a Christian serving within a local church.”
  Christian Service Learning is framed as Christian service.

Strengths

Chapel meets three times a week, and attendance is required for undergraduates.
Sources (1)
1. Chapel Schedule | MyCIUmy.ciu.edu/ICS/Campus_Life/Chapel · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Chapel services are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10:00 - 10:50 a.m.”
  Chapel meets three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
  “Chapel attendance is at the heart of our CIU community and life experience, and it is required in our academic structure.”
  Chapel attendance is required.
The Bible and Theology core includes six required courses, including Old and New Testament surveys.
Sources (1)
1. Undergraduate Core | CIU Academic Catalog 2026-2027catalog.ciu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=12&poid=2276 · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “BIB 1116 - Old Testament Survey Credits: 3”
  Old Testament Survey is required in the Bible and Theology Core.
  “BIB 1120 - New Testament Survey Credits: 3”
  New Testament Survey is required in the Bible and Theology Core.
  “THE 3310 - Christian Theology Credits: 3”
  Christian Theology is required in the Bible and Theology Core.
A Statement of Faith is published, and the spiritual formation page lists several annual conferences.
Sources (2)
1. Mission & Vision | Columbia International Universityciu.edu/about/mission · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “CIU holds to a biblical Statement of Faith that serves as the foundation for everything we teach.”
  CIU publishes a Statement of Faith.
2. Spiritual Formation | Columbia International Universityciu.edu/studentlife/spiritual-formation · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “CIU’s annual conferences are designed to help you grow spiritually”
  CIU holds annual spiritual formation conferences.
Christian Service Learning is required and directed by a named director.
Sources (2)
1. Faculty | Columbia International Universityciu.edu/academics/faculty · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Director of Christian Service Learning”
  A director leads Christian Service Learning.
2. Undergraduate Core | CIU Academic Catalog 2026-2027catalog.ciu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=12&poid=2276 · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Completion of Christian Service Learning requirements”
  Christian Service Learning is a graduation requirement.

Concerns

The housing pages reviewed describe spiritual support in general terms; no hall-level Bible study or ministry program.
Sources (1)
1. Housing & Dining | Columbia International Universityciu.edu/studentlife/housing-dining · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “campus life is built to support you academically, socially, and spiritually”
  Housing pages describe campus life as supporting students spiritually, without naming residence-hall faith programs.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Campus ministry home

Spiritual Formation (Shortess Chapel)

Address: 7435 Monticello Rd, Columbia, SC 29203
Location: On campus
Facilities: chapel (Shortess Chapel)

View on map ↗

Source: my.ciu.edu, verified Oct. 20, 2026, ciu.edu, verified Oct. 20, 2026

Campus ministry

Spiritual Formation

Sources (1)

Spiritual Formation | Columbia International Universityciu.edu/studentlife/spiritual-formation · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“CIU’s annual conferences are designed to help you grow spiritually”
CIU holds annual spiritual formation conferences.
“Spiritual growth is at the heart of everything we do.”
Spiritual Formation is a named Student Life office for spiritual growth.

Christian clubs and student life

2 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 0 off campus, 1 location not published

Faith formation 2

Prayer DaysOn campus
Campus-wide days of prayer that students are required to attend.
ciu.edu, my.ciu.edu
Christian Life Conference
One of the annual spiritual formation conferences.
ciu.edu

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the church. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Chapel, worship and prayer

Confirm with the campus ministry

Chapel 1

Monday, Wednesday, Friday10:00 AMShortess Chapel · Chapel; attendance required for undergraduates.

Times come only from official campus ministry, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 20, 2026.

Sources for these times (1)

Chapel Schedule | MyCIUmy.ciu.edu/ICS/Campus_Life/Chapel · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Chapel services are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10:00 - 10:50 a.m.”
Chapel meets three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Plan a campus visit Chapel and worship times for your dates, questions to ask, and a calendar button.

What families pay, by income

Average yearly price after grants and scholarships, for students who receive federal aid.

Average net price by family income
Family income	Price after aid
Up to $30,000	$21,955
$30,001–$48,000	$25,644
$48,001–$75,000	$23,535
$75,001–$110,000	$28,722
Over $110,000	$29,751

Full cost of attendance before aid: $43,045 a year.

Use the college’s net price calculator for your own estimate.

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Value and outcomes
Undergraduate students Fall enrollment (IPEDS)	916
Men and women College Scorecard, fall 2023	Men 49% · Women 51%
First-generation students College Scorecard	24%
First-year students from another state IPEDS, fall 2023	42%
Total students	2,631
Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid	$26,036
Cost of attendance (per year)	$43,045
Median federal debt at graduation	$20,000
Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time	47%
Graduation rate for Pell grant recipients College Scorecard, within 6 years	56%
Graduation rate for first-generation students College Scorecard, within 6 years	55%
Borrowers paying down their loans within 3 years College Scorecard, within 3 years	66%
First-year retention	53%
Median earnings 10 years after entry	$38,951
Admission rate	94%
Application fee IPEDS, 2023–24	$25
Typical rent HUD fair market rent, FY2026	About $1,164 a month for a one-bedroom
Students receiving Pell grants	34%

Value index: 35 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Earnings by major

Median earnings of bachelor’s graduates a few years after finishing, by major (College Scorecard).

Median earnings by major
Major	Median earnings
Teacher education	$43,210
Business administration	$40,432
Bible/Biblical Studies	$38,117

Also offered (no earnings published yet): Area studies, Biology, Broadcasting, Communication studies, Education (general), English, Global studies, Human services, Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies, Kinesiology and exercise science, Liberal arts, Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology, Nursing, Pastoral counseling, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Psychology, Public health, Religious Education, Religious Music and Worship, Secondary education, Teaching English as a second language, Theology.

What students study most

Share of bachelor’s degrees by field, first majors in 2023–24 (IPEDS).

Most common bachelor’s fields
Field	Share of degrees
Business	24%
Theology and religious studies	19%
Liberal arts and general studies	14%
Public administration and social service	10%
Parks, recreation and fitness	8%

Campus facts

School colors
Setting	City
Part-time undergraduates	8%
Undergraduates aged 25 and older	16%
On-campus room and board (per year)	$11,950
Sports	NAIA · Appalachian Athletic Conference
Study abroad	Offered
Students per faculty member	13 to 1
Undergraduates registered with the disability office	About 7%IPEDS, 2023–24
Faculty who are full-time	96%College Scorecard, fall 2023
Endowment per student	$2,511IPEDS, 2023, per student
Dorm space	For about 44% of studentsBeds per undergraduate; not who lives on campus
Nearest airport with airline service	Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)About 10 miles away · about 30 minutes by car
Nearest major airport	Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)About 79 miles away
Town population	139,643Census, 2020–2024
Nearest city of 250,000 people or more	CharlotteAbout 80 miles away · about 1 hour 55 minutes by car
Typical weather	48°F in January · 84°F in JulyNOAA, 1991–2020, from Columbia University Of Sc, SC, about 6 miles away

Federal data (IPEDS and College Scorecard), except school colors. None of this changes the faith grades.

Campus safety reports

On-campus crimes reported in 2024, per 1,000 students.

On-campus crimes per 1,000 students
Category	This campus	U.S. rate
Rape	0.00	0.07
Robbery	0.00	0.01
Aggravated assault	0.00	0.04
Burglary	0.00	0.08
Motor vehicle theft	0.00	0.15

Numbers reflect what each campus reported. They differ with campus size and how reporting is done, so compare with care. U.S. rate: total reported offenses divided by total students at every institution in the report.

Source: Official data: U.S. Department of Education

Christian churches nearby

CampusChristian centerOpen a street map ›

No Christian churches are mapped in OpenStreetMap within 3 miles. The map may be incomplete; check a local church directory.

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the church.

Questions families ask

Is Columbia International University a Christian college?: Yes. Columbia International University is a Christian college.
What is Columbia International University’s Compass Score?: 75 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Where is chapel held at Columbia International University?: Chapel is listed at Shortess Chapel. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the college’s spiritual life office before you go.

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About this school’s data

IPEDS unit ID 217925
Carnegie classification: Master's university (medium programs)
Accreditation: Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges d.b.a. Commission on Colleges and Universities (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
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