Columbia College vs. Grace Christian University

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

Columbia College Grace Christian University
Location Chicago, IL Wyoming, MI
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 6,646 1,031
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - Other Protestant - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu gbcol.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Grace Christian University
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $13,320
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $13,320
Room & Board $18,000 $8,830
Avg Net Price $28,387 $12,988
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $10,323
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 96%

Admission

Columbia College Grace Christian University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 293
Admitted 7,298 292
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 99.7%
Enrolled % 22%Open 38.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.03
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
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 Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Columbia College Grace Christian University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (30%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (30%)
  • General Studies (15%)
  • Human Services (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Grace Christian University
Graduation Rate 41% 30%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $28,300
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 48%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $23,247
Median Loan Payment $268 $240

Diversity

Columbia College Grace Christian University
% Men 40% 41%
% Women 60% 59%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 55% 61%
% Black 15% 24%
% Hispanic 11% 5%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 5%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 3%

Students

Columbia College Grace Christian University
% In-State 57% 62%
% Out-of-State 40% 38%

Campus

Columbia College Grace Christian 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 Grace Christian University based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 1,031 students)

Columbia College vs. Grace Christian University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Grace Christian University?

  • Columbia College Chicago is 119.7% more expensive to attend than Grace Christian University for in-state tuition ($29,270.00 vs. $13,320.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 119.7% higher at Columbia College than Grace Christian University ($29,270.00 vs. $13,320.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Grace Christian University than Columbia College ($12,988 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grace Christian University are 103.9% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($8,830 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than Grace Christian University (99% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 74.6% larger than aid received Grace Christian University ($18,020 vs. $10,323)

Columbia College vs. Grace Christian University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Grace Christian University (3.03)
  • Grace Christian University has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Columbia College (94.8%)

Columbia College vs. Grace Christian University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or Grace Christian 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 Grace Christian University and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than Grace Christian University (41% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from Columbia College Chicago earn on average $9,000 more per year than Grace Christian University graduates after ten years. ($37,300 vs. $28,300)
  • Grace Christian University students graduate with a $2,753 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($23,247 vs. $26,000)
  • Grace Christian University graduates are paying $28 less per month on federal student loans 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/