Columbia College vs. Lesley University

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

Columbia College Lesley University
Location Chicago, IL Cambridge, MA
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 6,646 3,406
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu lesley.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Lesley University
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $30,514
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $30,514
Room & Board $18,000 $19,138
Avg Net Price $28,387 $32,414
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $16,279
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Columbia College Lesley University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 3,144
Admitted 7,298 2,711
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 86.2%
Enrolled % 22%Open 8.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.31
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 Lesley 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%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (21%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (20%)
  • Psychology (20%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Work and Family Studies (6%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Lesley University
Graduation Rate 41% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $38,600
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $24,320
Median Loan Payment $268 $251

Diversity

Columbia College Lesley University
% Men 40% 20%
% Women 60% 80%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 55% 67%
% Black 15% 7%
% Hispanic 11% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 7% 6%

Students

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

Campus

Columbia College Lesley 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 Lesley University based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 3,406 students)

Columbia College vs. Lesley University Cost Comparison

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

  • Lesley University is 4.3% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($30,514.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.3% higher at Lesley University than Columbia College Chicago ($30,514.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia College Chicago than Lesley University ($28,387 vs. $32,414)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College Chicago are 6.3% lower than costs at Lesley University ($18,000 vs. $19,138)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lesley University than Columbia College Chicago (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 10.7% larger than aid received Lesley University ($18,020 vs. $16,279)

Columbia College vs. Lesley University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Lesley University (3.31)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Lesley University (86.2%)

Columbia College vs. Lesley University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Lesley University is higher than Columbia College Chicago (49% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Lesley University earn on average $1,300 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($38,600 vs. $37,300)
  • Lesley University students graduate with a $1,680 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($24,320 vs. $26,000)
  • Lesley University graduates are paying $17 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($251 vs. $268)
  • More Lesley 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/