Columbia College Chicago

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL, USA

Columbia College Chicago is a private non-profit college located in the heart of Chicago. The one and only campus has more than 60 undergraduate and graduate programs to choose from, in addition to programs available entirely online. Every undergraduate student must complete the requirements of the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core, and students are encouraged to develop their portfolios during their course of study. The urban campus is home to Manifest Urban Arts Festival, which gives students the opportunity to showcase their creative projects. Columbia has more than 15 buildings in the South Loop neighborhood, and is located near the Magnificent Mile, where students can enjoy shopping and entertainment.

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Private
  • Not for Profit
  • Coed

Need Blind

This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Major city
0
100
96%
Acceptance Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

Application TypeApplication DeadlineReply Deadline
Fall Regular DecisionAugust 1June 1

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
53%
Out-Of-State Students
40%
Average ACT Composite: 23
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1117
0
1600

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Master's
Total Number of Students
6,736
Total Number of Undergrads
6,493
Academic Calendar

Semester

See your fit
Classroom Sizes

2-19 Students
67%
20-39 Students
29%
40-99 Students
2%
0
100
42%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
50%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
14:1
US National: 21:1

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Key Financial Stats

Average Net Price
$28,568
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$31,026
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$31,026
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$18,000
Books and Supplies
$1700

Aid & Grants

0
100
1%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
36%
Average Aid Per Year
$17,400
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
36%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$3,025
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$13,218

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
62%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$7,453
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$19,424
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$239

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
40%
60%
Student Organizations
66
Size of Town
Major city
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups is checked
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
On Campus Women's Center is not checked
No

Housing

0
100
34%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Renegades
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Not applicable

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Top 5 Cities
Chicago
Los Angeles
New York
San Francisco
Detroit
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$39,200

What Students Are Saying

Columbia College Chicago was more than just a great experience for me. I can't even explain how diverse the people are there as far as talent and culture . They really give you a lot of space to embrace who you are and they support you in any way possible !
Courtney from Saint Louis, MO
Columbia College is absolutely the best school I could have possibly chosen for enhancing my career. Everyone at this school, whether student or staff, is unquestionably passionate and dedicated to their craft, and always willing to offer a helping hand. This is more than a school, but a community of artists.
Stephanie from Brooklyn, NY
The phrase you get what you put in is thrown around, and for good reasons. This could be the greatest place in the world, putting you in connection with your industry's greatest innovators, or you could barely float along and graduate not having learned a thing. It's all up to you and your motivations.
Selena from Orlando, FL
I love Columbia. It's a great environment for artists. I am always getting great opportunities.
Catherine from Oak Park, IL