Columbia College vs. Central State University

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

Columbia College Central State University
Location Chicago, IL Wilberforce, OH
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 6,646 5,434
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1023
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu centralstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Central State University
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $5,176
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $7,176
Room & Board $18,000 $10,900
Avg Net Price $28,387 $10,194
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $6,943
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 91%

Admission

Columbia College Central State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 3,814
Admitted 7,298 3,388
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 88.8%
Enrolled % 22%Open 18.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 2.8
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 14/18
SAT Range 770/950
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 Central State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 21:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Central State University
Graduation Rate 41% 24%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $27,200
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 16%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $39,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $403

Diversity

Columbia College Central State University
% Men 40% 30%
% Women 60% 70%
Racial Diversity High Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 55% 1%
% Black 15% 95%
% Hispanic 11% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 1%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Columbia College Central State University
% In-State 57% 55%
% Out-of-State 40% 36%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College Chicago is larger than than Central State University based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 5,434 students)

Columbia College vs. Central State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Central State University?

  • Columbia College Chicago is 465.5% more expensive to attend than Central State University for in-state tuition ($29,270.00 vs. $5,176.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 307.9% higher at Columbia College than Central State University ($29,270.00 vs. $7,176.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central State University than Columbia College ($10,194 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central State University are 65.1% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($10,900 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than Central State University (99% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 159.5% larger than aid received Central State University ($18,020 vs. $6,943)

Columbia College vs. Central State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Central State University (2.8)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Central State University (88.8%)

Columbia College vs. Central State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or Central State 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 Central State University and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than Central State University (41% vs. 24%)
  • Graduates from Columbia College Chicago earn on average $10,100 more per year than Central State University graduates after ten years. ($37,300 vs. $27,200)
  • Columbia College Chicago students graduate with a $13,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Central State University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $39,000)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $135 less per month on federal student loans than Central State University graduates. ($268 vs. $403)
  • More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central State University students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 16%)

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