Columbia International University Reviews

"CIU is a con. You realize it after a year or two as a student there. CIU is an embarrassment to higher education. The degrees and programs offered provide little to no value in the actual world. You may think you will go into full-time Christian ministry, but most graduates of CIU do not. As a former Student President and graduate of CIU, I am ashamed of Columbia International University and I hope prospective students and their parents think twice before making the decision to go. Fast forward 4 years, you will have collected over 100K in tuition fees, you will have two useless degrees, and those 'degrees' will be from a nonreputable, unheard of university. You won't care about any of this at 17 or 18 years old. You will think student loans are fine and a degree won't affect my life much. It took me almost 15 years to pay off my loans with family help and scholarships. My 2 degrees have not helped me since the day I graduated. I say again, CIU is a con. The institution and faculty know it. It is an illusion - what you think will be, will not be. Every year new students arrive with desire and ideas for their lives - so many leave empty-handed and jaded by the experience."

"Columbia International University was an incredible undergraduate experience. Beyond the great education the community life made such a lasting impact on my life. The faculty and staff are incredibly personable and I gained a lot under their teaching. For a great education and an incubator for character development I HIGHLY recommend CIU."

"Being a student in the 2016 executive Master of Health Administration (MHA) cohort was one of the best experiences of my life. This program not only provided me with rigorous course instruction, but also many opportunities for networking, consulting engagements and life long learning. Colleagues from my cohort are now some of my best friends to lean on through workplace challenges, or just to have dinner and discuss personal stuff. My professors were world class and a few were Presidents or CEO's of major hospitals and companies. Highly recommend the executive program."

"The Clinical Social Work Masters of Science Program at Columbia University in the City of New York is rigorous yet balanced. I started with a BA in Psychology and I feel like I've grown so much as a person in learning Clinical Social Work. Understanding how the social environment can effect one's life course is paramount in understanding its effects on mental and physical health. The professors and courses will challenge you without attempting to break you. At Columbia your cohort of peers are your team. At no point in time have I ever felt that my peers are my opponents. The philosophy is much closer to "No man get left behind." The entire staff is amiable and supportive here at Columbia. I would recommend my school and program to anyone interested."

"CIU has a positive environment. The community that can be found at CIU is unmatched. The professor want to get to know you as a student. The professors in the education program are amazing. They have a passion for teaching. The buildings and classrooms at CIU are horrible though."

"This is a small Christian school who's teachers and administration are grounded firmly on the authority of Scripture. It is a great environment in which students can learn and be challenged in their faith."

"Columbia International University provides easy access to faculty and staff. Students are able to engage to professors during the week and get from them more than just classroom information. Most of the professors in grad school had experience in the mission field overseas. That contributes to bring an incomparable credibility to the teachings that are always focusing in the mission of GOD. CIU provides very good facilities for graduate students to live campus life. Even for those who commute on weekdays to campus. Financial aid office is really helpful, however, not as many inside scholarships are available for international students. There are opportunities for campus jobs though, which helps. In terms of tuition, CIU has probably the best cost/value ratio in the market. It is a safe campus in Columbia, SC for those who are or plan to engage in the mission of God more effectively."

"The Bible program at Columbia International University is run by a faculty who cares. They are extremely knowledgeable and available; every one! It is a family atmosphere here, one that makes academic growth easy and natural. The immediate location is a somewhat rough neighborhood, but a 10 minute drive takes you into downtown Columbia, a nice place indeed. I unreservedly recommend CIU."

"CIU is a great school. It's strength is in professors who love Jesus and want to impact students for Christ. I would highly recommend this school for any major except youth ministry. That major is a joke."

"The faculty are fantastic and supportive. We have small class sizes and great diversity in age and ethnicity, background of students. The classes are challenging, and completely practical towards our future careers. The on-campus housing is great as well. The area of town the school is located in (far from everything else) is the only con I can think to mention!"

"The graduate program is very informative. I really am impressed with the amount of information being taught. The workload can be difficult to manage, but I am glad that the professors care about teaching."

"The Masters Program in Clinical Counseling consistently maintained a personal student to professor ratio. The clinical program focuses intently on preparing students for future licensure as a licensed professional counselor, but the professors show a concerted interest in the personal lives and growth of each student. I continue to maintain strong relationships with a few faculty to this day. Columbia International University is committed not only to preparing students for successful clinical practice; it also is committed to strong biblical emphasis and integration of the Christian worldview into psychological theory and practice. A great deal of who I am today has come as a result of the relationships formed and academic/professional experiences gleaned during my study at CIU."