Columbia College vs. Kettering College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Kettering College based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Kettering College is in Kettering, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Kettering College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Kettering College 9:1.

Columbia College vs. Kettering College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Kettering College? 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 Kettering College than Columbia College ($22,036 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kettering College are 41.2% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($12,140 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 108.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kettering College (about $17,768 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $16,320.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.9% higher at Columbia College than at Kettering College (about $17,768 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $16,320.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as at Kettering College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 111.1% larger than aid received by Kettering College students ($22,780 vs. $10,789).

Columbia College vs. Kettering College Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsKettering College 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Kettering College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have the same average high school GPA (3.41) as students at Kettering College (3.41).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Kettering College (76.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 71% at Kettering College.

Columbia College vs. Kettering College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Graduates from Kettering College earn a median of about $19,800 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,100 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College Chicago graduates have a $2,977 lower median loan debt than Kettering College graduates ($26,000 vs. $28,977).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kettering College graduates ($268 vs. $299).
• More Kettering College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.