Catholic University of America vs. Columbia College

Should I go to Catholic University of America or Columbia College Chicago? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Catholic University of America or Columbia College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Catholic University of America vs. Columbia College Chicago comparison
Catholic University of America Columbia College Chicago College 3 College 4
Catholic University of America Columbia College Chicago
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Overview

Catholic University of America Columbia College
Location Washington, DC Chicago, IL
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 4,968 6,646
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cua.edu colum.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Catholic University of America Columbia College
Tuition (In State) $53,040 $29,270
Tuition (Out of State) $53,040 $29,270
Room & Board $16,670 $18,000
Avg Net Price $36,031 $28,387
Avg Grant Aid $34,449 $18,020
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 99%

Admission

Catholic University of America Columbia College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,801 7,701
Admitted 4,965 7,298
Acceptance Rate 85.6% 94.8%Open
Enrolled % 15.4% 22%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.41
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Catholic University of America Columbia College
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Architecture (11%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)

Outcomes

Catholic University of America Columbia College
Graduation Rate 68% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $58,600 $37,300
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,106 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $269 $268

Diversity

Catholic University of America Columbia College
% Men 46% 40%
% Women 54% 60%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 64% 55%
% Black 5% 15%
% Hispanic 13% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 5%
% International 5% 3%
% Unknown Race 4% 7%

Students

Catholic University of America Columbia College
% In-State 5% 57%
% Out-of-State 87% 40%

Campus

Catholic University of America Columbia College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College Chicago is larger than than Catholic University of America based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 4,968 students)

Catholic University of America vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catholic University of America or Columbia College?

  • Catholic University of America is 81.2% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($53,040.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 81.2% higher at Catholic University of America than Columbia College Chicago ($53,040.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia College Chicago than Catholic University of America ($28,387 vs. $36,031)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catholic University of America are 8% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($16,670 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than Catholic University of America (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catholic University of America students is 91.2% larger than aid received Columbia College Chicago ($34,449 vs. $18,020)

Catholic University of America vs. Columbia College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Catholic University of America or Columbia College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia College or Catholic University of America .

  • Accepted freshman Catholic University of America students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Columbia College (3.41)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Catholic University of America (85.6%)

Catholic University of America vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Catholic University of America or Columbia College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Columbia College and Catholic University of America.

  • The graduation rate at Catholic University of America is higher than Columbia College Chicago (68% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Catholic University of America earn on average $21,300 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($58,600 vs. $37,300)
  • Columbia College Chicago students graduate with a $106 lower median federal student loan debt than Catholic University of America graduates. ($26,000 vs. $26,106)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than Catholic University of America graduates. ($268 vs. $269)
  • More Catholic University of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/