Columbia College vs. Bluffton University

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

Columbia College Bluffton University
Location Chicago, IL Bluffton, OH
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 6,646 745
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - Mennonite Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu bluffton.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Bluffton University
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $34,716
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $34,716
Room & Board $18,000 $11,602
Avg Net Price $28,387 $21,247
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $28,214
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Columbia College Bluffton University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 1,105
Admitted 7,298 1,064
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 96.3%
Enrolled % 22%Open 15.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.26
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Columbia College Bluffton University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (41%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Work and Family Studies (4%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Bluffton University
Graduation Rate 41% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $40,600
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $279

Diversity

Columbia College Bluffton University
% Men 40% 49%
% Women 60% 51%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 55% 85%
% Black 15% 6%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 2%

Students

Columbia College Bluffton University
% In-State 57% 79%
% Out-of-State 40% 19%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College Chicago is larger than than Bluffton University based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 745 students)

Columbia College vs. Bluffton University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Bluffton University?

  • Bluffton University is 18.6% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($34,716.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 18.6% higher at Bluffton University than Columbia College Chicago ($34,716.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bluffton University than Columbia College ($21,247 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluffton University are 55.1% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($11,602 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bluffton University than Columbia College Chicago (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bluffton University students is 56.6% larger than aid received Columbia College Chicago ($28,214 vs. $18,020)

Columbia College vs. Bluffton University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Bluffton University (3.26)
  • Bluffton University has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than Columbia College (94.8%)

Columbia College vs. Bluffton University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or Bluffton University? 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 Bluffton University and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Bluffton University is higher than Columbia College Chicago (59% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Bluffton University earn on average $3,300 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($40,600 vs. $37,300)
  • Columbia College Chicago students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Bluffton University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Bluffton University graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More Bluffton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 46%)

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