Columbia College vs. AIU Online

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

Columbia College AIU Online
Location Chicago, IL Hoffman Estates, IL
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 6,646 14,333
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit For-profit
Website colum.edu aiuniv.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College AIU Online
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $11,762
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $11,762
Room & Board $18,000 $6,917
Avg Net Price $28,387 $13,808
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $6,284
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 78%

Admission

Columbia College AIU Online
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 -
Admitted 7,298 -
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open
Enrolled % 22%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.41 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Columbia College AIU Online
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 40:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (86%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (2%)

Outcomes

Columbia College AIU Online
Graduation Rate 41% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $47,400
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 23%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $32,981
Median Loan Payment $268 $341

Diversity

Columbia College AIU Online
% Men 40% 39%
% Women 60% 61%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 55% 34%
% Black 15% 46%
% Hispanic 11% 5%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 10%

Students

Columbia College AIU Online
% In-State 57% 2%
% Out-of-State 40% 98%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • American InterContinental University Online is larger than than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (14,333 students vs. 6,646 students)

Columbia College vs. AIU Online Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or AIU Online?

  • Columbia College Chicago is 148.9% more expensive to attend than AIU Online for in-state tuition ($29,270.00 vs. $11,762.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 148.9% higher at Columbia College than American InterContinental University Online ($29,270.00 vs. $11,762.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at American InterContinental University Online than Columbia College ($13,808 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American InterContinental University Online are 160.2% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($6,917 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than American InterContinental University Online (99% vs. 78%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 186.8% larger than aid received American InterContinental University Online ($18,020 vs. $6,284)

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

Columbia College vs. AIU Online Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or AIU Online? 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 AIU Online and Columbia College.

  • Graduates from American InterContinental University Online earn on average $10,100 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($47,400 vs. $37,300)
  • Columbia College Chicago students graduate with a $6,981 lower median federal student loan debt than AIU Online graduates. ($26,000 vs. $32,981)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $73 less per month on federal student loans than AIU Online graduates. ($268 vs. $341)
  • More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AIU Online students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 23%)

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