Columbia College vs. Loras College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Loras College based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 1,189 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Loras College is in Dubuque, IA (Small City setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Loras College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Loras College 12:1.

Columbia College vs. Loras College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Loras 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 Loras College than Columbia College ($21,631 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Loras College are 46.7% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($11,000 vs. $20,629).
• Loras College is 16.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $5,736 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.8% higher at Loras College than at Columbia College Chicago (about $5,736 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as at Loras College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loras College students is 26.6% larger than aid received by Columbia College Chicago students ($28,835 vs. $22,780).

Columbia College vs. Loras College Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Loras College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Loras College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Columbia College (3.41).
• Loras College has a higher acceptance rate (99.9%) than Columbia College (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 18.6% at Loras College.

Columbia College vs. Loras College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Loras 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).

• Loras College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from Loras College earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College Chicago graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Loras College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loras College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Loras College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.