Columbia College vs. Stevenson University

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Stevenson University in Owings Mills, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Stevenson University based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 3,684 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Stevenson University is in Owings Mills, MD (Large Suburban setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stevenson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Stevenson University 15:1.

Columbia College vs. Stevenson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Stevenson 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 Stevenson University than Columbia College ($27,162 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stevenson University are 25.7% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($15,336 vs. $20,629).
• Stevenson University is 19% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $6,472 more per year; $40,560.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19% higher at Stevenson University than at Columbia College Chicago (about $6,472 more per year; $40,560.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as at Stevenson University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stevenson University students is 37.2% larger than aid received by Columbia College Chicago students ($31,263 vs. $22,780).

Columbia College vs. Stevenson University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Stevenson 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 Stevenson University and Columbia College.

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Stevenson University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Stevenson University (3.1).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Stevenson University (78.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 17% at Stevenson University.

Columbia College vs. Stevenson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Stevenson 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).

• Stevenson University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from Stevenson University earn a median of about $14,800 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,100 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College Chicago graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Stevenson University graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Stevenson University graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Stevenson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.