Columbia College vs. National Louis University

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

Columbia College National Louis University
Location Chicago, IL Chicago, IL
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 6,646 7,525
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu nl.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College National Louis University
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $10,755
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $10,755
Room & Board $18,000 $13,500
Avg Net Price $28,387 $14,769
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $9,641
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 93%

Admission

Columbia College National Louis University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 3,181
Admitted 7,298 2,928
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 92%
Enrolled % 22%Open 28.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 2.8
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Columbia College National Louis University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (32%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Human Services (4%)

Outcomes

Columbia College National Louis University
Graduation Rate 41% 26%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $49,300
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $19,837
Median Loan Payment $268 $205

Diversity

Columbia College National Louis University
% Men 40% 22%
% Women 60% 78%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 55% 25%
% Black 15% 35%
% Hispanic 11% 31%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 2%

Students

Columbia College National Louis University
% In-State 57% 83%
% Out-of-State 40% 12%

Campus

Columbia College National Louis 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

  • National Louis University is larger than than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (7,525 students vs. 6,646 students)

Columbia College vs. National Louis University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or National Louis University?

  • Columbia College Chicago is 172.2% more expensive to attend than National Louis University for in-state tuition ($29,270.00 vs. $10,755.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 172.2% higher at Columbia College than National Louis University ($29,270.00 vs. $10,755.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at National Louis University than Columbia College ($14,769 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at National Louis University are 33.3% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($13,500 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than National Louis University (99% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 86.9% larger than aid received National Louis University ($18,020 vs. $9,641)

Columbia College vs. National Louis University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at National Louis University (2.8)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than National Louis University (92%)

Columbia College vs. National Louis University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or National Louis 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 National Louis University and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than National Louis University (41% vs. 26%)
  • Graduates from National Louis University earn on average $12,000 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($49,300 vs. $37,300)
  • National Louis University students graduate with a $6,163 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($19,837 vs. $26,000)
  • National Louis University graduates are paying $63 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($205 vs. $268)
  • More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former National Louis University students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 44%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/