CSU vs. Columbia College

Should I go to Chicago State University or Columbia College Chicago? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CSU 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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Chicago State University vs. Columbia College Chicago comparison
Chicago State University Columbia College Chicago College 3 College 4
Chicago State University Columbia College Chicago
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Overview

CSU Columbia College
Location Chicago, IL Chicago, IL
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 2,317 6,646
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #870
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csu.edu colum.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CSU Columbia College
Tuition (In State) $7,656 $29,270
Tuition (Out of State) $7,656 $29,270
Room & Board $13,800 $18,000
Avg Net Price $6,446 $28,387
Avg Grant Aid $15,891 $18,020
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 99%

Admission

CSU Columbia College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,404 7,701
Admitted 3,592 7,298
Acceptance Rate 48.5% 94.8%Open
Enrolled % 4.8% 22%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.18 3.41
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/19
SAT Range 750/963
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

CSU Columbia College
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (31%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)

Outcomes

CSU Columbia College
Graduation Rate 21% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,300 $37,300
Making Student Loan Payments 25% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,250 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $323 $268

Diversity

CSU Columbia College
% Men 33% 40%
% Women 67% 60%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 3% 55%
% Black 75% 15%
% Hispanic 8% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 5%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 12% 7%

Students

CSU Columbia College
% In-State 77% 57%
% Out-of-State 20% 40%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College Chicago is larger than than CSU based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 2,317 students)

CSU vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Columbia College?

  • Columbia College Chicago is 282.3% more expensive to attend than CSU for in-state tuition ($29,270.00 vs. $7,656.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 282.3% higher at Columbia College than Chicago State University ($29,270.00 vs. $7,656.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Chicago State University than Columbia College ($6,446 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chicago State University are 30.4% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($13,800 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than Chicago State University (99% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 13.4% larger than aid received Chicago State University ($18,020 vs. $15,891)

CSU vs. Columbia College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at CSU (3.18)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than CSU (48.5%)

CSU vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU 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 CSU.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than Chicago State University (41% vs. 21%)
  • Graduates from Chicago State University earn on average $1,000 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($38,300 vs. $37,300)
  • Columbia College Chicago students graduate with a $5,250 lower median federal student loan debt than CSU graduates. ($26,000 vs. $31,250)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $55 less per month on federal student loans than CSU graduates. ($268 vs. $323)
  • More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 25%)

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