Columbia College vs. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Saint Mary's University of Minnesota based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 4,505 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is in Winona, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Saint Mary's University of Minnesota 18:1.

Columbia College vs. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota? 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota than Columbia College ($22,032 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota are 45.7% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($11,200 vs. $20,629).
• Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is 32.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $10,992 more per year; $45,080.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.2% higher at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota than at Columbia College Chicago (about $10,992 more per year; $45,080.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's University of Minnesota students is 55.2% larger than aid received by Columbia College Chicago students ($35,348 vs. $22,780).

Columbia College vs. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota? 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and Columbia College.

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Saint Mary's University of Minnesota - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027; Saint Mary's University of Minnesota May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saint Mary's University of Minnesota students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Columbia College (3.41).
• Saint Mary's University of Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (92.8%) than Columbia College (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 18.8% at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.

Columbia College vs. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota? 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).

• Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,400 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($240 vs. $268).
• More Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.