Columbia College vs. Fontbonne University

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

Columbia College Fontbonne University
Location Chicago, IL Saint Louis, MO
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,646 944
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu fontbonne.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Fontbonne University
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $27,996
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $27,996
Room & Board $18,000 $10,856
Avg Net Price $28,387 $20,732
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $22,284
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

Columbia College Fontbonne University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 880
Admitted 7,298 831
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 94.4%
Enrolled % 22%Open 22%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Columbia College Fontbonne University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (48%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Health Professions (5%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Fontbonne University
Graduation Rate 41% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $46,400
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $268

Diversity

Columbia College Fontbonne University
% Men 40% 41%
% Women 60% 59%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 55% 71%
% Black 15% 15%
% Hispanic 11% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 3% 7%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Columbia College Fontbonne University
% In-State 57% 78%
% Out-of-State 40% 21%

Campus

Columbia College Fontbonne University
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

  • Columbia College Chicago is larger than than Fontbonne University based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 944 students)

Columbia College vs. Fontbonne University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Fontbonne University?

  • Columbia College Chicago is 4.6% more expensive to attend than Fontbonne University for in-state tuition ($29,270.00 vs. $27,996.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.6% higher at Columbia College than Fontbonne University ($29,270.00 vs. $27,996.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fontbonne University than Columbia College ($20,732 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fontbonne University are 65.8% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($10,856 vs. $18,000)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as Fontbonne University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fontbonne University students is 23.7% larger than aid received Columbia College Chicago ($22,284 vs. $18,020)

Columbia College vs. Fontbonne University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Fontbonne University (3.3)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Fontbonne University (94.4%)

Columbia College vs. Fontbonne University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or Fontbonne 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 Fontbonne University and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Fontbonne University is higher than Columbia College Chicago (43% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Fontbonne University earn on average $9,100 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($46,400 vs. $37,300)
  • Fontbonne University and Columbia College graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($26,000 vs. $26,000)
  • Fontbonne University and Columbia College graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($268 vs. $268)
  • More Fontbonne University 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/