Columbia College vs. Hiram

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Hiram College in Hiram, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Hiram based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 1,061 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Hiram College is in Hiram, OH (Distant Rural setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hiram College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Hiram College 11:1.

Columbia College vs. Hiram Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Hiram? 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 Hiram College than Columbia College ($21,868 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hiram College are 42.6% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($11,850 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 23.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hiram (about $6,488 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $27,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.5% higher at Columbia College than at Hiram College (about $6,488 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $27,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at Hiram College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 21.6% larger than aid received by Hiram College students ($22,780 vs. $18,726).

Columbia College vs. Hiram Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Hiram? 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 Hiram and Columbia College.

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsHiram College 890/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsHiram College 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Hiram - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Hiram (3.28).
• Hiram has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Columbia College (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 12.9% at Hiram.

Columbia College vs. Hiram Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Hiram? 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).

• Hiram College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from Hiram College earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College Chicago graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Hiram graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hiram graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Hiram graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.