Columbia College vs. Kent State University at Ashtabula

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Kent State University at Ashtabula in Ashtabula, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Kent State University at Ashtabula based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 1,739 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Kent State University at Ashtabula is in Ashtabula, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Kent State University at Ashtabula is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Kent State University at Ashtabula 22:1.

Columbia College vs. Kent State University at Ashtabula Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Kent State University at Ashtabula? 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 Kent State University at Ashtabula than Columbia College ($12,653 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Ashtabula are 42.8% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($11,810 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 355% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State University at Ashtabula (about $26,596 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $7,492.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.6% higher at Columbia College than at Kent State University at Ashtabula (about $16,746 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $17,342.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at Kent State University at Ashtabula (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 343.4% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Ashtabula students ($22,780 vs. $5,137).

Columbia College vs. Kent State University at Ashtabula Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Kent State University at Ashtabula? 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 Kent State University at Ashtabula and Columbia College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Kent State University at Ashtabula - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027; Kent State University at Ashtabula Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Kent State University at Ashtabula (3.24).

Columbia College vs. Kent State University at Ashtabula Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Kent State University at Ashtabula? 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 Kent State University at Ashtabula's (18%).
• Graduates from Kent State University at Ashtabula earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kent State University at Ashtabula graduates have a $175 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($25,825 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Kent State University at Ashtabula graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($267 vs. $268).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State University at Ashtabula students, three years after graduation. (46% 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.