Columbia College vs. Grand View University

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

Columbia College Grand View University
Location Chicago, IL Des Moines, IA
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 6,646 1,827
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #884
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu grandview.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Grand View University
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $31,418
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $31,418
Room & Board $18,000 $10,956
Avg Net Price $28,387 $20,236
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $22,893
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Columbia College Grand View University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 1,886
Admitted 7,298 1,856
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 98.4%
Enrolled % 22%Open 17.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/22
SAT Range 920/1080
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 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Columbia College Grand View University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Grand View University
Graduation Rate 41% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $43,900
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $23,908
Median Loan Payment $268 $247

Diversity

Columbia College Grand View University
% Men 40% 44%
% Women 60% 56%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 55% 72%
% Black 15% 8%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 7% 7%

Students

Columbia College Grand View University
% In-State 57% 77%
% Out-of-State 40% 21%

Campus

Columbia College Grand View 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 Grand View University based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 1,827 students)

Columbia College vs. Grand View University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Grand View University?

  • Grand View University is 7.3% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($31,418.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 7.3% higher at Grand View University than Columbia College Chicago ($31,418.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Grand View University than Columbia College ($20,236 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand View University are 64.3% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($10,956 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Grand View University than Columbia College Chicago (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Grand View University students is 27% larger than aid received Columbia College Chicago ($22,893 vs. $18,020)

Columbia College vs. Grand View University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • 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 (98.4%) than Columbia College (94.8%)

Columbia College vs. Grand View University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or Grand View 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 Grand View University and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is the same as at Grand View University (41% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Grand View University earn on average $6,600 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($43,900 vs. $37,300)
  • Grand View University students graduate with a $2,092 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($23,908 vs. $26,000)
  • Grand View University graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans 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/