Columbia College vs. Miami University-Hamilton

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Miami University Hamilton in Hamilton, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Miami University-Hamilton based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 2,480 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Miami University Hamilton is in Hamilton, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Miami University Hamilton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Miami University Hamilton 12:1.

Columbia College vs. Miami University-Hamilton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Miami University-Hamilton? 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 Miami University Hamilton than Columbia College ($9,786 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Miami University Hamilton are 53.5% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($9,590 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 355.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Miami University-Hamilton (about $26,597 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $7,491.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.6% higher at Columbia College than at Miami University Hamilton (about $14,681 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $19,407.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at Miami University Hamilton (100% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 341% larger than aid received by Miami University Hamilton students ($22,780 vs. $5,166).

Columbia College vs. Miami University-Hamilton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Miami University-Hamilton? 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 Miami University-Hamilton and Columbia College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Miami University-Hamilton - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Miami University-Hamilton (3.23).

Columbia College vs. Miami University-Hamilton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Miami University-Hamilton? 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).

• Columbia College Chicago's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Miami University Hamilton's (27%).
• Graduates from Miami University Hamilton earn a median of about $17,000 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Miami University Hamilton graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($24,750 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Miami University-Hamilton graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($255 vs. $268).
• More Miami University-Hamilton 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.