Columbia College vs. GSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Governors State University in University Park, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 4,397 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Governors State University is in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Governors State University 11:1.

Columbia College vs. GSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or GSU? 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 Governors State University than Columbia College ($12,756 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 43.1% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($11,736 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 184% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $22,084 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 184% higher at Columbia College than at Governors State University (about $22,084 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at Governors State University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 98.9% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($22,780 vs. $11,455).

Columbia College vs. GSU Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsGovernors State University 830/1060.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; GSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027; GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.59 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Columbia College (3.41).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 16.8% at GSU.

Columbia College vs. GSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Graduates from Governors State University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $8,750 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($17,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($178 vs. $268).
• More GSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.