CCU vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, CO with Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado Christian University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (9,951 students vs. 5,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Christian University is located in Lakewood, CO (Large Suburban setting); Columbia College Chicago is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• Colorado Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Christian University 17:1; Columbia College Chicago 15:1.

CCU vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CCU or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College Chicago than CCU ($29,473 vs. $30,940).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Christian University are 35.8% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($13,234 vs. $20,629).
• Colorado Christian University is 21.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $7,254 more per year; $41,342.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.3% higher at CCU than at Columbia College Chicago (about $7,254 more per year; $41,342.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Colorado Christian University as at Columbia College Chicago (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado Christian University students is 2.3% larger than aid received by Columbia College Chicago students ($23,302 vs. $22,780).

CCU vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CCU or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College and CCU.

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CCU - Not reported; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CCU Aug 1, 2027; Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CCU students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Columbia College (3.41).

CCU vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CCU and Columbia College? 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).

• Colorado Christian University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from Colorado Christian University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Christian University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, CCU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More CCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 46%)

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.