Columbia College vs. Northeastern Illinois University

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

Columbia College Northeastern Illinois University
Location Chicago, IL Chicago, IL
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 6,646 5,756
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #629
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu neiu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Northeastern Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $10,091
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $20,182
Room & Board $18,000 $10,742
Avg Net Price $28,387 $14,262
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $15,143
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 85%

Admission

Columbia College Northeastern Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 4,603
Admitted 7,298 2,886
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 62.7%
Enrolled % 22%Open 17.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.1
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/21
SAT Range 810/1010
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 Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Columbia College Northeastern Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Northeastern Illinois University
Graduation Rate 41% 23%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $40,000
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $14,500
Median Loan Payment $268 $149

Diversity

Columbia College Northeastern Illinois University
% Men 40% 39%
% Women 60% 61%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 55% 33%
% Black 15% 10%
% Hispanic 11% 37%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 7% 3%

Students

Columbia College Northeastern Illinois University
% In-State 57% 97%
% Out-of-State 40% 2%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College Chicago is larger than than Northeastern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 5,756 students)

Columbia College vs. Northeastern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Northeastern Illinois University?

  • Columbia College Chicago is 190.1% more expensive to attend than Northeastern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($29,270.00 vs. $10,091.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 45% higher at Columbia College than Northeastern Illinois University ($29,270.00 vs. $20,182.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than Columbia College ($14,262 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 67.6% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($10,742 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than Northeastern Illinois University (99% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 19% larger than aid received Northeastern Illinois University ($18,020 vs. $15,143)

Columbia College vs. Northeastern Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

Columbia College vs. Northeastern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (41% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from Northeastern Illinois University earn on average $2,700 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($40,000 vs. $37,300)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $11,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($14,500 vs. $26,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $119 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($149 vs. $268)
  • More Northeastern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 46%)

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