Columbia College vs. University of Saint Francis

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

Columbia College University of Saint Francis
Location Chicago, IL Fort Wayne, IN
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 6,646 1,903
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #693
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu sf.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College University of Saint Francis
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $32,870
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $32,870
Room & Board $18,000 $11,220
Avg Net Price $28,387 $18,162
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $24,860
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

Columbia College University of Saint Francis
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 1,391
Admitted 7,298 1,364
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 98.1%
Enrolled % 22%Open 26.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.37
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 930/1130
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 University of Saint Francis
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Health Professions (59%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Business (5%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (4%)

Outcomes

Columbia College University of Saint Francis
Graduation Rate 41% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $42,000
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $25,250
Median Loan Payment $268 $261

Diversity

Columbia College University of Saint Francis
% Men 40% 32%
% Women 60% 68%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 55% 81%
% Black 15% 7%
% Hispanic 11% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Columbia College University of Saint Francis
% In-State 57% 84%
% Out-of-State 40% 14%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College Chicago is larger than than University of Saint Francis based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 1,903 students)

Columbia College vs. University of Saint Francis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or University of Saint Francis?

  • University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is 12.3% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($32,870.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.3% higher at University of Saint Francis than Columbia College Chicago ($32,870.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne than Columbia College ($18,162 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne are 60.4% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($11,220 vs. $18,000)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne students is 38% larger than aid received Columbia College Chicago ($24,860 vs. $18,020)

Columbia College vs. University of Saint Francis Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at University of Saint Francis (3.37)
  • University of Saint Francis has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Columbia College (94.8%)

Columbia College vs. University of Saint Francis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or University of Saint Francis? 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 Saint Francis and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at University of Saint Francis is higher than Columbia College Chicago (54% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne earn on average $4,700 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $37,300)
  • University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne students graduate with a $750 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($25,250 vs. $26,000)
  • University of Saint Francis graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($261 vs. $268)
  • More University of Saint Francis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 46%)

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