Columbia College vs. Bellin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Bellin College in Green Bay, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Bellin College based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 927 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Bellin College is in Green Bay, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bellin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Bellin College 10:1.

Columbia College vs. Bellin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Bellin 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 Bellin College ($29,473 vs. $37,954).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bellin College are 40% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($12,375 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 10.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bellin College (about $3,136 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $30,952.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at Columbia College than at Bellin College (about $3,136 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $30,952.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as at Bellin College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 366.1% larger than aid received by Bellin College students ($22,780 vs. $4,887).

Columbia College vs. Bellin College Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBellin College 21/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Bellin College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027; Bellin College May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bellin College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Columbia College (3.41).
• Bellin College has a higher acceptance rate (97.2%) than Columbia College (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 85.5% at Bellin College.

Columbia College vs. Bellin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Bellin 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).

• Bellin College's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from Bellin College earn a median of about $19,400 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,700 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bellin College graduates have a $11,000 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($15,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Bellin College graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($155 vs. $268).
• More Bellin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.