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Western Illinois University ISU Roosevelt University Northern Illinois DePaul SIUE Southern Illinois University Northeastern Illinois University Indiana State Central Northern Michigan University Bradley| Columbia College Chicago | Eastern Illinois University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Columbia College | EIU | ||
| Location | Chicago, IL | Charleston, IL | ||
| Setting | Large City | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 6,646 | 8,857 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #672 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | colum.edu | eiu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Columbia College | EIU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $29,270 | $9,709 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $29,270 | $12,136 | ||
| Room & Board | $18,000 | $10,812 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $28,387 | $13,380 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $18,020 | $11,773 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 100% |
Admission |
Columbia College | EIU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 7,701 | 11,584 | ||
| Admitted | 7,298 | 7,873 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 94.8%Open | 68% | ||
| Enrolled % | 22%Open | 11.1% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.41 | 3.39 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Unavailable | Extremely Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | ||||
| SAT Range | 900/1120 | |||
| Submit Test Scores | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
Columbia College | EIU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 15:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Columbia College | EIU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 41% | 59% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,300 | $43,500 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 46% | 59% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $26,000 | $23,650 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $268 | $244 |
Diversity |
Columbia College | EIU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 40% | 42% | ||
| % Women | 60% | 58% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 55% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 15% | 19% | ||
| % Hispanic | 11% | 6% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 5% | 2% | ||
| % International | 3% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 7% | 2% |
Students |
Columbia College | EIU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 57% | 91% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 40% | 7% | ||
Campus |
Columbia College | EIU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Eastern Illinois University is larger than than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (8,857 students vs. 6,646 students)
Columbia College vs. EIU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or EIU?
- Columbia College Chicago is 201.5% more expensive to attend than EIU for in-state tuition ($29,270.00 vs. $9,709.00)
- Out of state tuition is 141.2% higher at Columbia College than Eastern Illinois University ($29,270.00 vs. $12,136.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Illinois University than Columbia College ($13,380 vs. $28,387)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Illinois University are 66.5% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($10,812 vs. $18,000)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than Columbia College Chicago (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 53.1% larger than aid received Eastern Illinois University ($18,020 vs. $11,773)
Columbia College vs. EIU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or EIU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between EIU or Columbia College .
- Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at EIU (3.39)
- Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than EIU (68%)
Columbia College vs. EIU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Columbia College or EIU? 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 EIU and Columbia College.
- The graduation rate at EIU is higher than Columbia College Chicago (59% vs. 41%)
- Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn on average $6,200 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($43,500 vs. $37,300)
- Eastern Illinois University students graduate with a $2,350 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($23,650 vs. $26,000)
- EIU graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($244 vs. $268)
- More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 46%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/