Columbia College vs. MIAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than MIAD based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 838 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 11:1.

Columbia College vs. MIAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or MIAD? 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 Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design than Columbia College ($27,579 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design are 46.9% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($10,955 vs. $20,629).
• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is 28.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $9,655 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.3% higher at MIAD than at Columbia College Chicago (about $9,655 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students is 14.2% larger than aid received by Columbia College Chicago students ($26,015 vs. $22,780).

Columbia College vs. MIAD Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMilwaukee Institute of Art & Design 940/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMilwaukee Institute of Art & Design 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; MIAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027; MIAD Aug 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at MIAD (3.08).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than MIAD (60.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 33.2% at MIAD.

Columbia College vs. MIAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from Columbia College Chicago earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than MIAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,300 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College Chicago graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than MIAD graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MIAD graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More MIAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.