Columbia College vs. Madonna University

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Madonna University in Livonia, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Madonna University based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 2,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Madonna University is in Livonia, MI (Small City setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Madonna University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Madonna University 11:1.

Columbia College vs. Madonna University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Madonna 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 Madonna University than Columbia College ($18,373 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Madonna University are 37.8% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($12,840 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 19.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Madonna University (about $5,648 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $28,440.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.9% higher at Columbia College than at Madonna University (about $5,648 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $28,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at Madonna University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 1.4% larger than aid received by Madonna University students ($22,780 vs. $22,471).

Columbia College vs. Madonna University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Madonna University? 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 Madonna University and Columbia College.

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMadonna University 880/1080.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Madonna University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Madonna University (3.35).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Madonna University (63.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 25.2% at Madonna University.

Columbia College vs. Madonna University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Madonna University? 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).

• Madonna University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from Madonna University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,400 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Madonna University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Madonna University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Madonna University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.