Columbia College vs. Union

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

 Columbia College Union
Location Chicago, IL Cincinnati, OH
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 6,646 787
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu myunion.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Columbia College Union
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $16,841
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $16,841
Room & Board $18,000 $11,508
Avg Net Price $28,387 $28,463
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $3,217
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

 Columbia College Union
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 -
Admitted 7,298 -
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open Open
Enrolled % 22%Open Open
Avg High School GPA 3.41 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 Columbia College Union
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 6:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (59%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Human Services (3%)

Outcomes

 Columbia College Union
Graduation Rate 41% 9%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $51,400
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $18,495
Median Loan Payment $268 $191

Diversity

 Columbia College Union
% Men 40% 40%
% Women 60% 60%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 55% 36%
% Black 15% 18%
% Hispanic 11% 32%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 9%

Students

 Columbia College Union
% In-State 57% 23%
% Out-of-State 40% 73%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College Chicago is larger than than Union based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 787 students)

Columbia College vs. Union Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Union?

  • Columbia College Chicago is 73.8% more expensive to attend than Union for in-state tuition ($29,270.00 vs. $16,841.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 73.8% higher at Columbia College than Union Institute & University ($29,270.00 vs. $16,841.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia College Chicago than Union ($28,387 vs. $28,463)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Institute & University are 56.4% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($11,508 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Union Institute & University than Columbia College Chicago (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 460.1% larger than aid received Union Institute & University ($18,020 vs. $3,217)

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

Columbia College vs. Union Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or Union? 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 Union and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than Union Institute & University (41% vs. 9%)
  • Graduates from Union Institute & University earn on average $14,100 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($51,400 vs. $37,300)
  • Union Institute & University students graduate with a $7,505 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($18,495 vs. $26,000)
  • Union graduates are paying $77 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($191 vs. $268)
  • More Union graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 46%)

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