Columbia College vs. Excelsior University

Deciding between Columbia College Chicago and Excelsior University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Columbia College Chicago

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Columbia College Chicago, IL
  • Excelsior University Albany, NY
  • Setting
  • Columbia College Large City
  • Excelsior University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Columbia College 5,570
  • Excelsior University 12,941
  • Type
  • Columbia College Private 4 Year
  • Excelsior University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Columbia College
  • Excelsior University
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Columbia College -
  • Excelsior University -
  • Status
  • Columbia College Non-profit
  • Excelsior University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Columbia College
  • Excelsior University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Columbia College $34,088
  • Excelsior University $0
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Columbia College $34,088
  • Excelsior University $0
  • Room & Board
  • Columbia College $20,629
  • Excelsior University $0
  • Average Net Price
  • Columbia College $29,473
  • Excelsior University -
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Columbia College $22,780
  • Excelsior University $0
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Columbia College 100%
  • Excelsior University 0%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Columbia College 7,079
  • Excelsior University -
  • Admitted
  • Columbia College 6,333
  • Excelsior University -
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Columbia College 89.5% Open
  • Excelsior University Open
  • Enrolled
  • Columbia College 15.1% Open
  • Excelsior University Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • Columbia College
  • Excelsior University
  • Typical ACT score
  • Columbia College
  • Excelsior University
  • Average High School GPA
  • Columbia College 3.41
  • Excelsior University -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Columbia College B+
  • Excelsior University -
  • Admissions Standards
  • Columbia College Unavailable
  • Excelsior University Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • Columbia College
  • Excelsior University
  • ACT Range
  • Columbia College
  • Excelsior University
  • SAT Range
  • Columbia College
  • Excelsior University
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Columbia College Open admission
  • Excelsior University Open admission
  • Application Deadline
  • Columbia College Aug 1, 2027
  • Excelsior University

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Columbia College 15:1
  • Excelsior University 21:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Columbia College
    • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Communications Technology (6%)
    • English and Literature (5%)
  • Excelsior University

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Columbia College 41%
  • Excelsior University -
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Columbia College $37,300
  • Excelsior University N/A
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Columbia College 46%
  • Excelsior University 55%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Columbia College $26,000
  • Excelsior University $10,870
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Columbia College $268
  • Excelsior University $112

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Columbia College 40%
  • Excelsior University 48%
  • % Women
  • Columbia College 60%
  • Excelsior University 52%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Columbia College High
  • Excelsior University High
  • HBCU
  • Columbia College No
  • Excelsior University No
  • % White
  • Columbia College 55%
  • Excelsior University 58%
  • % Asian
  • Columbia College 3%
  • Excelsior University 3%
  • % Black
  • Columbia College 15%
  • Excelsior University 22%
  • % Hispanic
  • Columbia College 11%
  • Excelsior University 10%
  • % Native American
  • Columbia College 0%
  • Excelsior University 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Columbia College 0%
  • Excelsior University 1%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Columbia College 5%
  • Excelsior University 3%
  • % International
  • Columbia College 3%
  • Excelsior University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Columbia College 7%
  • Excelsior University 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Columbia College 54%
  • Excelsior University 35%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Columbia College 44%
  • Excelsior University 60%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Columbia College Yes
  • Excelsior University No
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Columbia College No
  • Excelsior University
  • Meal Plan
  • Columbia College Yes
  • Excelsior University No
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Columbia College No
  • Excelsior University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Columbia College No
  • Excelsior University

Comparable Facts

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

Excelsior University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (12,941 students vs. 5,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Excelsior University is in Albany, NY (Small City setting).
  • Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Excelsior University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Excelsior University 21:1.

Columbia College vs. Excelsior University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Excelsior University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • In-state tuition differs between Columbia College Chicago and Excelsior University ($34,088.00 vs. $0.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition differs between Columbia College and Excelsior University ($34,088.00 vs. $0.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at Excelsior University (100% vs. 0%).

Columbia College vs. Excelsior University Admissions comparison

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

  • Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Excelsior University - Open admission.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.

Columbia College vs. Excelsior University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Excelsior University? 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).

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Excelsior University graduates have a $15,130 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($10,870 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Excelsior University graduates have an estimated $156 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($112 vs. $268).
  • More Excelsior University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.