•AVERAGE: 69
Columbia International University, a private 4-year school was founded in 1923 as Columbia Bible School. In 1927, the decision was made to convert the school into a college and begin offering bachelor’s degrees in Bible; the name was changed yet again in 1994 to Columbia International University. Noteworthy in its history is that CIU was the first white institution of higher education in South Carolina to voluntarily desegregate in 1963. Although the school is identified as non-denominational, all faculty are required to belong to a Protestant Church. The 400 acre campus just north of downtown Columbia is set along the Broad River. Notable alumni of CIU includes author Phillip Yancy.