Columbia College vs. Lourdes University

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

Columbia College Lourdes University
Location Chicago, IL Sylvania, OH
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,646 1,136
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #922
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu lourdes.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Lourdes University
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $25,750
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $25,750
Room & Board $18,000 $12,000
Avg Net Price $28,387 $22,634
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $18,038
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Columbia College Lourdes University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 1,082
Admitted 7,298 654
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 60.4%Open
Enrolled % 22%Open 26.3%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.26
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23
SAT Range 850/1080
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Columbia College Lourdes University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Health Professions (35%)
  • Business (19%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Human Services (7%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Lourdes University
Graduation Rate 41% 28%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $39,600
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 33%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $30,250
Median Loan Payment $268 $312

Diversity

Columbia College Lourdes University
% Men 40% 40%
% Women 60% 60%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 55% 74%
% Black 15% 13%
% Hispanic 11% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 2%

Students

Columbia College Lourdes University
% In-State 57% 74%
% Out-of-State 40% 26%

Campus

Columbia College Lourdes 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 Lourdes University based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 1,136 students)

Columbia College vs. Lourdes University Cost Comparison

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

  • Columbia College Chicago is 13.7% more expensive to attend than Lourdes University for in-state tuition ($29,270.00 vs. $25,750.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.7% higher at Columbia College than Lourdes University ($29,270.00 vs. $25,750.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lourdes University than Columbia College ($22,634 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lourdes University are 50% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($12,000 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lourdes University than Columbia College Chicago (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lourdes University students is 0.1% larger than aid received Columbia College Chicago ($18,038 vs. $18,020)

Columbia College vs. Lourdes University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Lourdes University (3.26)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Lourdes University (60.4%)

Columbia College vs. Lourdes University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than Lourdes University (41% vs. 28%)
  • Graduates from Lourdes University earn on average $2,300 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($39,600 vs. $37,300)
  • Columbia College Chicago students graduate with a $4,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Lourdes University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $30,250)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $44 less per month on federal student loans than Lourdes University graduates. ($268 vs. $312)
  • More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lourdes University students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 33%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/