Columbia College vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 5,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Columbia College vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Cleveland State? 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 Cleveland State University than Columbia College ($16,230 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cleveland State University are 26.8% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($15,104 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 162.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $21,100 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.2% higher at Columbia College than at Cleveland State University (about $15,578 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at Cleveland State University (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 132.6% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($22,780 vs. $9,795).

Columbia College vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027; Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Columbia College (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

Columbia College vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Cleveland State? 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 Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($222 vs. $268).
• More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.