Columbia College vs. Lakewood University

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Lakewood University in Cleveland Heights, Ohio on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Lakewood University based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 103 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Lakewood University is in Cleveland Heights, Ohio (Large Suburban setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lakewood University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Lakewood University 7:1.

Columbia College vs. Lakewood University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Lakewood University? 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 Lakewood University than Columbia College ($9,271 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lakewood University are 90.3% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($2,001 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 225.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lakewood University (about $23,609 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $10,479.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 225.3% higher at Columbia College than at Lakewood University (about $23,609 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $10,479.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as at Lakewood University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 441.2% larger than aid received by Lakewood University students ($22,780 vs. $4,209).

Columbia College vs. Lakewood University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Lakewood University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Lakewood University 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; Lakewood University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.

Columbia College vs. Lakewood University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Lakewood University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Columbia College Chicago's six-year graduation rate is 41%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Lakewood University.
• Graduates from Columbia College Chicago have median earnings of about $37,300 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Lakewood University.

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.