Columbia College vs. Ranken Technical College

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

Columbia College Ranken Technical College
Location Chicago, IL Saint Louis, MO
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 6,646 1,671
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu ranken.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Ranken Technical College
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $15,720
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $15,720
Room & Board $18,000 $8,150
Avg Net Price $28,387 $15,437
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $11,268
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 69%

Admission

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

Academics

Columbia College Ranken Technical College
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Mechanic and Repair Technologies (51%)
  • Engineering Technology (31%)
  • Construction Trades (9%)
  • Precision Production Trades (6%)
  • Business (4%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Ranken Technical College
Graduation Rate 41% 100%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $50,000
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $13,750
Median Loan Payment $268 $142

Diversity

Columbia College Ranken Technical College
% Men 40% 91%
% Women 60% 9%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 55% 72%
% Black 15% 22%
% Hispanic 11% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 1%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 2%

Students

Columbia College Ranken Technical College
% In-State 57% 82%
% Out-of-State 40% 18%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College Chicago is larger than than Ranken Technical College based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 1,671 students)

Columbia College vs. Ranken Technical College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Ranken Technical College?

  • Columbia College Chicago is 86.2% more expensive to attend than Ranken Technical College for in-state tuition ($29,270.00 vs. $15,720.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 86.2% higher at Columbia College than Ranken Technical College ($29,270.00 vs. $15,720.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ranken Technical College than Columbia College ($15,437 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ranken Technical College are 120.9% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($8,150 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than Ranken Technical College (99% vs. 69%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 59.9% larger than aid received Ranken Technical College ($18,020 vs. $11,268)

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

Columbia College vs. Ranken Technical College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or Ranken Technical College? 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 Ranken Technical College and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Ranken Technical College is higher than Columbia College Chicago (100% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Ranken Technical College earn on average $12,700 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($50,000 vs. $37,300)
  • Ranken Technical College students graduate with a $12,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($13,750 vs. $26,000)
  • Ranken Technical College graduates are paying $126 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($142 vs. $268)
  • More Ranken Technical College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 46%)

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