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 table 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.

Columbia College vs. Grace Christian University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Grace Christian University? 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 Grace Christian University than Columbia College ($13,275 vs. $29,473).
• 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).
• Columbia College Chicago is 82.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Grace Christian University (about $15,398 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $18,690.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.4% higher at Columbia College than at Grace Christian University (about $15,398 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $18,690.00).
• 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).

Columbia College vs. Grace Christian University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Grace Christian 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 Grace Christian University and Columbia College.

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Grace Christian University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027; Grace Christian University Jul 15, 2027.
• 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 (99.2%) than Columbia College (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 44.3% at Grace Christian University.

Columbia College vs. Grace Christian University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Grace Christian 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).

• Columbia College Chicago's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Grace Christian University's (30%).
• Graduates from Columbia College Chicago earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than Grace Christian University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,300 vs. $28,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.