Columbia College vs. University of Rio Grande

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

Columbia College University of Rio Grande
Location Chicago, IL Rio Grande, OH
Setting Large City Distant Rural
Enrollment 6,646 1,800
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu rio.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College University of Rio Grande
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $19,400
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $19,600
Room & Board $18,000 $11,166
Avg Net Price $28,387 $26,369
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $7,178
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 72%

Admission

Columbia College University of Rio Grande
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 3.06
Typical High School Grades B+ 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 University of Rio Grande
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Engineering Technology (12%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Human Services (6%)

Outcomes

Columbia College University of Rio Grande
Graduation Rate 41% 27%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $33,900
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 35%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $268 $211

Diversity

Columbia College University of Rio Grande
% Men 40% 36%
% Women 60% 64%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 55% 81%
% Black 15% 5%
% Hispanic 11% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 0%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 7% 10%

Students

Columbia College University of Rio Grande
% In-State 57% 82%
% Out-of-State 40% 9%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College Chicago is larger than than University of Rio Grande based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 1,800 students)

Columbia College vs. University of Rio Grande Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or University of Rio Grande?

  • Columbia College Chicago is 50.9% more expensive to attend than University of Rio Grande for in-state tuition ($29,270.00 vs. $19,400.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 49.3% higher at Columbia College than University of Rio Grande ($29,270.00 vs. $19,600.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Rio Grande than Columbia College ($26,369 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Rio Grande are 61.2% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($11,166 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than University of Rio Grande (99% vs. 72%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 151% larger than aid received University of Rio Grande ($18,020 vs. $7,178)

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

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at University of Rio Grande (3.06)

Columbia College vs. University of Rio Grande Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or University of Rio Grande? 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 University of Rio Grande and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than University of Rio Grande (41% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Columbia College Chicago earn on average $3,400 more per year than University of Rio Grande graduates after ten years. ($37,300 vs. $33,900)
  • University of Rio Grande students graduate with a $5,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($20,500 vs. $26,000)
  • University of Rio Grande graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($211 vs. $268)
  • More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Rio Grande students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 35%)

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