Columbia College vs. Southern Illinois University

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

Columbia College Southern Illinois University
Location Chicago, IL Carbondale, IL
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 6,646 11,107
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #467
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu siuc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Southern Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $9,638
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $9,638
Room & Board $18,000 $10,622
Avg Net Price $28,387 $16,990
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $11,269
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 98%

Admission

Columbia College Southern Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 9,771
Admitted 7,298 8,940
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 91.5%
Enrolled % 22%Open 17%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/27
SAT Range 900/1140
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

Academics

Columbia College Southern Illinois University
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%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Southern Illinois University
Graduation Rate 41% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $268 $232

Diversity

Columbia College Southern Illinois University
% Men 40% 49%
% Women 60% 51%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 55% 64%
% Black 15% 19%
% Hispanic 11% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

Columbia College Southern Illinois University
% In-State 57% 81%
% Out-of-State 40% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (11,107 students vs. 6,646 students)

Columbia College vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison

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

  • Columbia College Chicago is 203.7% more expensive to attend than Southern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($29,270.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 203.7% higher at Columbia College than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($29,270.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Illinois University Carbondale than Columbia College ($16,990 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 69.5% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($10,622 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 59.9% larger than aid received Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($18,020 vs. $11,269)

Columbia College vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Southern Illinois University (91.5%)

Columbia College vs. Southern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Southern Illinois University is higher than Columbia College Chicago (44% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn on average $10,500 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $37,300)
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($22,500 vs. $26,000)
  • Southern Illinois University graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($232 vs. $268)
  • More Southern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 46%)

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