Columbia College vs. Central State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Central State University in Wilberforce, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Central State University based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 2,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Central State University is in Wilberforce, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Central State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Central State University 16:1.

Columbia College vs. Central State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Central State University? 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 Central State University than Columbia College ($11,398 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central State University are 41.7% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($12,026 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 323% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central State University (about $26,030 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $8,058.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 238.9% higher at Columbia College than at Central State University (about $24,030 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $10,058.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at Central State University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 22.1% larger than aid received by Central State University students ($22,780 vs. $18,654).

Columbia College vs. Central State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Central State University? 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 Central State University and Columbia College.

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCentral State University 770/950.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCentral State University 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Central State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• 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).
• Central State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than Columbia College (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 19.4% at Central State University.

Columbia College vs. Central State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Central State University? 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).

• Columbia College Chicago's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Central State University's (24%).
• Graduates from Columbia College Chicago earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than Central State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,300 vs. $27,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College Chicago graduates have a $13,000 lower median loan debt than Central State University graduates ($26,000 vs. $39,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $135 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.