Columbia College vs. Dominican

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Dominican based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 3,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Dominican University is in River Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dominican University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Dominican University 12:1.

Columbia College vs. Dominican Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Dominican? 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 Dominican University than Columbia College ($13,402 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dominican University are 38.4% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($12,716 vs. $20,629).
• Dominican University is 14.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $4,890 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.3% higher at Dominican than at Columbia College Chicago (about $4,890 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as at Dominican University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University students is 35% larger than aid received by Columbia College Chicago students ($30,756 vs. $22,780).

Columbia College vs. Dominican Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsDominican University 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsDominican University 16/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Dominican - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027; Dominican Aug 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Dominican students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Columbia College (3.41).
• Dominican has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than Columbia College (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 12.1% at Dominican.

Columbia College vs. Dominican Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Dominican University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from Dominican University earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dominican University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Dominican graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Dominican graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.