CSU vs. CCAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with Columbus College of Art & Design in Columbus, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Chicago State University is larger than CCAD based on total student enrollment (2,238 students vs. 916 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Columbus College of Art & Design is in Columbus, OH (Large City setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbus College of Art & Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; Columbus College of Art & Design 10:1.

CSU vs. CCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or CCAD? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Chicago State University than CCAD ($10,441 vs. $31,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbus College of Art & Design are 0.9% lower than at Chicago State University ($11,450 vs. $11,550).
• Columbus College of Art & Design is 220.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $28,071 more per year; $40,825.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 220.1% higher at CCAD than at Chicago State University (about $28,071 more per year; $40,825.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbus College of Art & Design than at Chicago State University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbus College of Art & Design students is 26.4% larger than aid received by Chicago State University students ($23,000 vs. $18,194).

CSU vs. CCAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or CCAD? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CCAD and CSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; CCAD - Test-free.
• CCAD has a higher acceptance rate (67.7%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 32.1% at CCAD.

CSU vs. CCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and CCAD? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Columbus College of Art & Design's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Chicago State University earn a median of about $200 more per year than CCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,300 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbus College of Art & Design graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, CCAD graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($279 vs. $323).
• More CCAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 25%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.