Columbia College vs. Grace Christian University

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Grace Christian University in Wyoming, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Grace Christian University based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 1,017 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grace Christian University are 50.1% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($10,300 vs. $20,629).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.4% higher at Columbia College than at Grace Christian University (about $15,398 more per year; $34,088 vs. $18,690).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at Grace Christian University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 75.9% larger than aid received by Grace Christian University students ($22,780 vs. $12,951).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are open admission at Columbia College, test-free at Grace Christian University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027; Grace Christian University Jul 15, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Columbia College average a 3.41 high school GPA, 0.38 higher than at Grace Christian University (3.03).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 44.3% at Grace Christian University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grace Christian University graduates have a $2,753 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($23,247 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Grace Christian University graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($240 vs. $268).
• More Grace Christian University 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.