Columbia College vs. Grand View University

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Grand View University in Des Moines, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Grand View University based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 1,856 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Grand View University is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Grand View University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Grand View University 12:1.

Columbia College vs. Grand View University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Grand View 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 Grand View University than Columbia College ($22,319 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand View University are 32.6% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($13,912 vs. $20,629).
• Grand View University is 2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $674 more per year; $34,762.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at Grand View University than at Columbia College Chicago (about $674 more per year; $34,762.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as at Grand View University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grand View University students is 15.6% larger than aid received by Columbia College Chicago students ($26,330 vs. $22,780).

Columbia College vs. Grand View University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Grand View 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 Grand View University and Columbia College.

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsGrand View University 920/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsGrand View University 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Grand View University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027; Grand View University Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Grand View University (3.3).
• Grand View University has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than Columbia College (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 20.9% at Grand View University.

Columbia College vs. Grand View University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Grand View 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).

• The graduation rate at Columbia College is the same as at Grand View University (41% vs. 41%).
• Graduates from Grand View University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grand View University graduates have a $2,092 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($23,908 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Grand View University graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($247 vs. $268).
• More Grand View University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.