Columbia College vs. Shawnee State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Shawnee State University based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 3,231 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Shawnee State University is in Portsmouth, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shawnee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Shawnee State University 12:1.

Columbia College vs. Shawnee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Shawnee State University? 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 Shawnee State University than Columbia College ($13,996 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shawnee State University are 39.4% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($12,502 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 220.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shawnee State University (about $23,462 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $10,626.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.4% higher at Columbia College than at Shawnee State University (about $16,730 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $17,358.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at Shawnee State University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 191.3% larger than aid received by Shawnee State University students ($22,780 vs. $7,820).

Columbia College vs. Shawnee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Shawnee State University? 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 Shawnee State University and Columbia College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Shawnee State University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Shawnee State University (3.3).

Columbia College vs. Shawnee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Shawnee State University? 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).

• Columbia College Chicago's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Shawnee State University's (22%).
• Graduates from Columbia College Chicago earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Shawnee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,300 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shawnee State University graduates have a $2,288 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($23,712 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Shawnee State University graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($245 vs. $268).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shawnee State University students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 36%)

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.