Columbia College vs. East-West University

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

Columbia College East-West University
Location Chicago, IL Chicago, IL
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 6,646 529
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu eastwest.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College East-West University
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $22,050
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $22,050
Room & Board $18,000 $8,991
Avg Net Price $28,387 $19,792
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $9,941
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 97%

Admission

Columbia College East-West University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 -
Admitted 7,298 -
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open Open
Enrolled % 22%Open Open
Avg High School GPA 3.41 2.67
Typical High School Grades B+ C+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Columbia College East-West University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 33:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (30%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (24%)
  • General Studies (15%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • English and Literature (8%)

Outcomes

Columbia College East-West University
Graduation Rate 41% 8%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $27,300
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 17%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $24,332
Median Loan Payment $268 $251

Diversity

Columbia College East-West University
% Men 40% 50%
% Women 60% 50%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 55% 2%
% Black 15% 57%
% Hispanic 11% 18%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Columbia College East-West University
% In-State 57% 90%
% Out-of-State 40% 8%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College Chicago is larger than than East-West University based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 529 students)

Columbia College vs. East-West University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or East-West University?

  • Columbia College Chicago is 32.7% more expensive to attend than East-West University for in-state tuition ($29,270.00 vs. $22,050.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 32.7% higher at Columbia College than East West University ($29,270.00 vs. $22,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East West University than Columbia College ($19,792 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East West University are 100.2% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($8,991 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than East West University (99% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 81.3% larger than aid received East West University ($18,020 vs. $9,941)

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

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.74 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at East-West University (2.67)

Columbia College vs. East-West University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or East-West 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 East-West University and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than East West University (41% vs. 8%)
  • Graduates from Columbia College Chicago earn on average $10,000 more per year than East-West University graduates after ten years. ($37,300 vs. $27,300)
  • East West University students graduate with a $1,668 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($24,332 vs. $26,000)
  • East-West University graduates are paying $17 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($251 vs. $268)
  • More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former East-West University students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 17%)

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