Columbia College vs. Judson University

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

 Columbia College Judson University
Location Chicago, IL Elgin, IL
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 6,646 973
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu judsonu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Columbia College Judson University
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $29,850
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $29,850
Room & Board $18,000 $11,320
Avg Net Price $28,387 $19,268
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $21,123
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 93%

Admission

 Columbia College Judson University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 1,153
Admitted 7,298 671
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 58.2%
Enrolled % 22%Open 26.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.16
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/26
SAT Range 910/1140
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 Columbia College Judson University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (38%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Human Services (10%)
  • Architecture (6%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (5%)

Outcomes

 Columbia College Judson University
Graduation Rate 41% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $44,800
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $23,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $237

Diversity

 Columbia College Judson University
% Men 40% 49%
% Women 60% 51%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 55% 58%
% Black 15% 8%
% Hispanic 11% 17%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 1%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 7% 10%

Students

 Columbia College Judson University
% In-State 57% 57%
% Out-of-State 40% 38%

Campus

 Columbia College Judson 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 Judson University based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 973 students)

Columbia College vs. Judson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Judson University?

  • Judson University is 2% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($29,850.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2% higher at Judson University than Columbia College Chicago ($29,850.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Judson University than Columbia College ($19,268 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Judson University are 59% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($11,320 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than Judson University (99% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Judson University students is 17.2% larger than aid received Columbia College Chicago ($21,123 vs. $18,020)

Columbia College vs. Judson University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Judson University (3.16)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Judson University (58.2%)

Columbia College vs. Judson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or Judson 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 Judson University and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Judson University is higher than Columbia College Chicago (49% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Judson University earn on average $7,500 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $37,300)
  • Judson University students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($23,000 vs. $26,000)
  • Judson University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($237 vs. $268)
  • More Judson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/