Columbia College vs. Madonna University

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

Columbia College Madonna University
Location Chicago, IL Livonia, MI
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 6,646 2,109
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #578
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu madonna.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Madonna University
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $26,100
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $26,100
Room & Board $18,000 $12,250
Avg Net Price $28,387 $18,344
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $19,840
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Columbia College Madonna University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 1,988
Admitted 7,298 1,289
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 64.8%
Enrolled % 22%Open 19.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.35
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/25
SAT Range 890/1140
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 Madonna University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (32%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Work and Family Studies (4%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Madonna University
Graduation Rate 41% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $42,400
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 48%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $258

Diversity

Columbia College Madonna University
% Men 40% 35%
% Women 60% 65%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 55% 63%
% Black 15% 12%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 3% 16%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Columbia College Madonna University
% In-State 57% 90%
% Out-of-State 40% 9%

Campus

Columbia College Madonna 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 Madonna University based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 2,109 students)

Columbia College vs. Madonna University Cost Comparison

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

  • Columbia College Chicago is 12.1% more expensive to attend than Madonna University for in-state tuition ($29,270.00 vs. $26,100.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.1% higher at Columbia College than Madonna University ($29,270.00 vs. $26,100.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Madonna University than Columbia College ($18,344 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Madonna University are 46.9% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($12,250 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Madonna University than Columbia College Chicago (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Madonna University students is 10.1% larger than aid received Columbia College Chicago ($19,840 vs. $18,020)

Columbia College vs. Madonna University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • 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 (94.8%) than Madonna University (64.8%)

Columbia College vs. Madonna University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Madonna University is higher than Columbia College Chicago (42% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Madonna University earn on average $5,100 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($42,400 vs. $37,300)
  • Madonna University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,000)
  • Madonna University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans 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/