Columbia College vs. DePaul

Comparable Facts

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

DePaul University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (21,210 students vs. 5,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); DePaul University is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. DePaul University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; DePaul University 17:1.

Columbia College vs. DePaul Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or DePaul? 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 DePaul ($29,473 vs. $34,135).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at DePaul University are 7.4% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($19,095 vs. $20,629).
• DePaul University is 34.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $11,911 more per year; $45,999.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.9% higher at DePaul than at Columbia College Chicago (about $11,911 more per year; $45,999.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as at DePaul University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by DePaul University students is 28.6% larger than aid received by Columbia College Chicago students ($29,285 vs. $22,780).

Columbia College vs. DePaul Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsDePaul University 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsDePaul University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; DePaul - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027; DePaul Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DePaul students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Columbia College (3.41).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than DePaul (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 10.8% at DePaul.

Columbia College vs. DePaul Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and DePaul? 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).

• DePaul University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from DePaul University earn a median of about $19,600 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, DePaul University graduates have a $2,668 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($23,332 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, DePaul graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($241 vs. $268).
• More DePaul graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.