Columbia College vs. Metropolitan State University

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

Columbia College Metropolitan State University
Location Chicago, IL Saint Paul, MN
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 6,646 6,294
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu metrostate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Metropolitan State University
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $8,571
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $8,571
Room & Board $18,000 $11,644
Avg Net Price $28,387 $19,347
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $8,322
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Columbia College Metropolitan State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 612
Admitted 7,298 500
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 81.7%
Enrolled % 22%Open 26.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Columbia College Metropolitan State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (33%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Metropolitan State University
Graduation Rate 41% 29%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $49,200
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $17,992
Median Loan Payment $268 $186

Diversity

Columbia College Metropolitan State University
% Men 40% 42%
% Women 60% 58%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 55% 54%
% Black 15% 20%
% Hispanic 11% 5%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Columbia College Metropolitan State University
% In-State 57% 99%
% Out-of-State 40% 1%

Campus

Columbia College Metropolitan State University
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College Chicago is larger than than Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 6,294 students)

Columbia College vs. Metropolitan State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Metropolitan State University?

  • Columbia College Chicago is 241.5% more expensive to attend than Metropolitan State University for in-state tuition ($29,270.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 241.5% higher at Columbia College than Metropolitan State University ($29,270.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Metropolitan State University than Columbia College ($19,347 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Metropolitan State University are 54.6% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($11,644 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Metropolitan State University than Columbia College Chicago (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 116.5% larger than aid received Metropolitan State University ($18,020 vs. $8,322)

Columbia College vs. Metropolitan State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Metropolitan State University (81.7%)

Columbia College vs. Metropolitan State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or Metropolitan State 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 Metropolitan State University and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than Metropolitan State University (41% vs. 29%)
  • Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn on average $11,900 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($49,200 vs. $37,300)
  • Metropolitan State University students graduate with a $8,008 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($17,992 vs. $26,000)
  • Metropolitan State University graduates are paying $82 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($186 vs. $268)
  • More Metropolitan State University 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/