Columbia College vs. OC Comets

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with The University of Olivet in Olivet, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than OC Comets based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 979 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); The University of Olivet is in Olivet, MI (Distant Rural setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Olivet is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; The University of Olivet 17:1.

Columbia College vs. OC Comets Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or OC Comets? 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 The University of Olivet than Columbia College ($19,362 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Olivet are 39.1% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($12,567 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than OC Comets (about $20 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $34,068.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Columbia College than at The University of Olivet (about $20 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $34,068.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as at The University of Olivet (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Olivet students is 22.3% larger than aid received by Columbia College Chicago students ($27,858 vs. $22,780).

Columbia College vs. OC Comets Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsThe University of Olivet 910/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsThe University of Olivet 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; OC Comets - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than OC Comets (83.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 20.4% at OC Comets.

Columbia College vs. OC Comets Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and OC Comets? 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).

• The University of Olivet's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from The University of Olivet earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,300 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College Chicago graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than OC Comets graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OC Comets graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More OC Comets graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.