Columbia College vs. Alma College

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Alma College in Alma, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Alma College is in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Alma College 14:1.

Columbia College vs. Alma College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Alma 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 Alma College than Columbia College ($22,094 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alma College are 31.3% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($14,180 vs. $20,629).
• Alma College is 45.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $15,464 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.4% higher at Alma College than at Columbia College Chicago (about $15,464 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as at Alma College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 82.7% larger than aid received by Columbia College Chicago students ($41,618 vs. $22,780).

Columbia College vs. Alma College Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Alma College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Columbia College (3.41).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 9.6% at Alma College.

Columbia College vs. Alma College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Alma 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).

• Alma College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College Chicago graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Alma College 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.