Columbia International College (2026 Profile)

5.00 (20 reviews)

Tel: (905) 572-7883 Ext. 2805

1003 Main Street West
Hamilton, L8S 4P3, Canada

REQUEST INFO

SAVE SCHOOL

Columbia International College Photo #1 - Ainsliewood Building, Columbia International College

Columbia International College Photo #2 - Columbia International College Canada's Largest 91��

Columbia International College Photo #3 - Cedar Building, Columbia International College

Columbia International College Photo #4 - Northcliffe, Columbia International College

Columbia International College Photo #5 - Pine Boys Residence, Columbia International College

Columbia International College Photo #6 - Pine Girls Residence, Columbia International College

Columbia International College is Canada`s largest private boarding school, offering Grades 9 to 12 for day and boarding students.

At the heart of our success is the holistic Total Care Education System - an innovative approach to learning and living.

Our Total Care Education System ensures that every student`s academic, social, emotional and physical needs are tended to.

We are #1 in scholarships awarded by universities and we offer the only official U of Toronto partnership program - the Elite Pathway Program.

Quick Facts (2026)

Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 1,700 students
Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $26,400
Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $3,300
Acceptance rate: 86%
Average class size: 17 students
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Columbia International College ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 276 schools) for:

School Overview

| 2025 School Data

Columbia International College

School Focus

College Preparatory

Grades Offered

9-12

School Type

Co-ed

Religious Affiliation

Non-denominational

Year Founded

1979

School Motto

A Legacy Of Excellence

Student Body

Enrollment

1700 students

% International Students

95%

% Students Boarding

98%

Offers Post-Grad Year

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes

Classroom Dress Code

Formal
CIC Uniform Pieces

Average Class Size

17 students

Student-Teacher Ratio

15:1

ESL Courses Offered

Yes

Summer Program Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

n/a

Courses

Tuition & Financial Aid

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)

$26,400
(8 courses tuition fee, not include residence or meal plan)

Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)

$3,300
(8 courses tuition fee, not include residence or meal plan)

Tuition international students

$26,400

Merit Scholarships Offered

Yes

Admissions

Application Deadline

None / Rolling

SSAT Required

Yes

Acceptance Rate

86%

Director of Admissions

Shawn Qin

Application URL

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered

Sports

BadmintonBasketball

GymnasticsIntramural Sports Only

SoccerSwimming

Volleyball

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations

Extracurriculars

Club or Organization:

Archery ClubAthletic Council

Basketball ClubCooking Club

CrochetDECA

Duke of Edinburgh AwardKaraoke Club

LeadershipModel United Nations

Robotics ClubRobotics Team

Service PrefectsStudent Council

Table Tennis Club

College Matriculation

10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)

School Notes

Canada's largest boarding school
Total Care Education System - Total Learning, Total Living, Total Development, Total Communication
Offers Grade 9-12 , ESL, and Summer Camp, Short-term/Exchange programs
Offer the only official University of Toronto partnership program - the Elite Pathway
Leadership programming and The Duke of Edinburgh award (Bronze, Silver and Gold)
University Partners provide exclusive scholarships to graduates
University of Toronto's official Global Partner School
# 1 in university admissions and scholarships among all high schools in Canada
Separate residences for boys and girls with door-to-door school bus transportation
Official Test Centre for IELTS
Compared with any other high school globally, CIC graduates receive more offers of admission from: University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, and McMaster University
Our unique Total Care Education System is a holistic education that addresses the complete development of a child`s academic, social, emotional and physical needs
CIC graduates are awarded the largest amounts of scholarships from universities C$9.5 million in 2020
Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Zere '23 - Zere has consistently demonstrated exceptional academic achievements and remarkable leadership abilities, paving the way for her to secure acceptance from many prestigious universities and close to $300k in scholarships!✅University College London (Economics) ✅York University - Schulich School of Business (Business Administration) ✅University of Toronto, Rotman Commerce (Commerce) ✅University of Toronto, Mississauga (Commerce) ✅University of Warwick (Economics) ✅Queen Mary University of London (Economics) ✅IE University (Economics) ✅Total Scholarships: $299,500
- Daniella '23 - ✅CIC Model United Nations team ✅Best Delegate at Kings MUN 2023 ✅Director of Delegate Relations at Global Summit 2023 ✅Top Subject Prize in Canadian and International Law ✅Bronze medal in Badminton Intramurals: Team Captain✅Queen Mary University of London (Law) ✅University of Aberdeen (law) ✅The University of Law (Law) ✅Total Scholarships: $7,000
- Emmanuella '23 - ✅University of Toronto, Mississauga (Commerce) ✅University of Toronto, Scarborough (Management) ✅McMaster University (Business) ✅McMaster University (Integrated Business & Humanities) ✅Brock University (Business Administration) ✅Carleton University (Commerce) ✅University Of Ottawa (Management Studies) ✅York University (Commerce) ✅University of Miami (Economics) ✅University of Alberta (Bachelor of Commerce) ✅Minnesota State University (Business) ✅Grinnell College (Business) ✅Western University (Social Sciences) ✅University Of Guelph (Economics) ✅Wooster College (Business) ✅Total Scholarships: $374,297

Source: Verified school update

REQUEST FREE INFORMATION

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Columbia International College cost?

Columbia International College's tuition is approximately $26,400 for boarding students and $3,300 for day students.

What is the acceptance rate of Columbia International College?

The acceptance rate of Columbia International College is 86%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 64%.

Who are famous alumni from Columbia International College?

Columbia International College famous alumni include: Zere '23, Daniella '23 and Emmanuella '23.

What sports does Columbia International College offer?

Columbia International College offers 7 interscholastic sports: Badminton, Basketball, Gymnastics, Intramural Sports Only, Soccer, Swimming and Volleyball.

Does Columbia International College offer a summer program?

Yes, Columbia International College offers a summer program. Visit their for more information.

What is Columbia International College's ranking?

Columbia International College ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Large student body (number of students), High percentage of international students and Least expensive tuition.

When is the application deadline for Columbia International College?

The application deadline for Columbia International College is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review

Description

Columbia International College Alumni #1
Class of 2019
5.009/28/2025
McMaster University

When I started at Columbia International College, I was drawn to the promise that this school truly prepares its students for a life of purpose. What sets CIC apart is its Total Care Education System. . .

Columbia International College Alumni #2
Class of 2023
5.009/28/2025
University of Toronto

Attending CIC was like being handed a compass and learning how to navigate both life and studies. From the start, I appreciated CIC’s Total Care Education System which doesn’t just focus on grades, but on. . .

Columbia International College Alumni #3
Class of 2023
5.009/28/2025
University of Toronto

When I first arrived at CIC, I was struck by how seriously they take both academic performance and personal growth. Everything from orientation, mentoring, and counselling made it clear. They want students not just to. . .

Show more reviews (17 reviews)