Columbia College vs. Spalding

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Spalding University in Louisville, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Spalding based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 1,553 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Spalding University is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Spalding University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Spalding University 9:1.

Columbia College vs. Spalding Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Spalding? 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 Spalding University than Columbia College ($25,999 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spalding University are 52.9% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($9,710 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 16.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Spalding (about $4,888 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $29,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.7% higher at Columbia College than at Spalding University (about $4,888 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $29,200.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as at Spalding University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 17.2% larger than aid received by Spalding University students ($22,780 vs. $19,429).

Columbia College vs. Spalding Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSpalding University 875/1038.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSpalding University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Spalding - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Spalding students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Columbia College (3.41).
• Spalding has a higher acceptance rate (99.4%) than Columbia College (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 15.6% at Spalding.

Columbia College vs. Spalding Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Spalding? 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).

• Spalding University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from Spalding University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spalding University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Spalding graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spalding students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 44%)

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.