Columbia College vs. Lakeland University

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

Columbia College Lakeland University
Location Chicago, IL Plymouth, WI
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 6,646 2,406
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - United Church of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu lakeland.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Lakeland University
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $30,400
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $30,400
Room & Board $18,000 $10,778
Avg Net Price $28,387 $21,611
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $23,855
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 96%

Admission

Columbia College Lakeland University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 1,230
Admitted 7,298 1,224
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 99.5%
Enrolled % 22%Open 18.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.0
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
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

Academics

Columbia College Lakeland University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (65%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Psychology (3%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Lakeland University
Graduation Rate 41% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $44,000
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $25,458
Median Loan Payment $268 $263

Diversity

Columbia College Lakeland University
% Men 40% 41%
% Women 60% 59%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 55% 77%
% Black 15% 8%
% Hispanic 11% 5%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 1%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Columbia College Lakeland University
% In-State 57% 70%
% Out-of-State 40% 30%

Campus

Columbia College Lakeland University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College Chicago is larger than than Lakeland University based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 2,406 students)

Columbia College vs. Lakeland University Cost Comparison

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

  • Lakeland University is 3.9% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($30,400.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.9% higher at Lakeland University than Columbia College Chicago ($30,400.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lakeland University than Columbia College ($21,611 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lakeland University are 67% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($10,778 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than Lakeland University (99% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lakeland University students is 32.4% larger than aid received Columbia College Chicago ($23,855 vs. $18,020)

Columbia College vs. Lakeland University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Lakeland University (3.0)
  • Lakeland University has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Columbia College (94.8%)

Columbia College vs. Lakeland University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Lakeland University is higher than Columbia College Chicago (42% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Lakeland University earn on average $6,700 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($44,000 vs. $37,300)
  • Lakeland University students graduate with a $542 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($25,458 vs. $26,000)
  • Lakeland University graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($263 vs. $268)
  • More Lakeland University 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/