Columbia College vs. Marian

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Marian University in Indianapolis, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Marian based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 3,486 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Marian University is in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Marian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Marian University 13:1.

Columbia College vs. Marian Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Marian? 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 Marian University than Columbia College ($22,786 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Marian University are 32.9% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($13,850 vs. $20,629).
• Marian University is 19.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $6,576 more per year; $40,664.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.3% higher at Marian than at Columbia College Chicago (about $6,576 more per year; $40,664.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at Marian University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Marian University students is 42% larger than aid received by Columbia College Chicago students ($32,351 vs. $22,780).

Columbia College vs. Marian Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Marian - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027; Marian Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Marian students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Columbia College (3.41).
• Marian has a higher acceptance rate (95.5%) than Columbia College (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 15.6% at Marian.

Columbia College vs. Marian Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Marian? 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).

• Marian University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from Marian University earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 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 Marian graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Marian graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Marian graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.