Columbia College vs. Parkside

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with University of Wisconsin Parkside in Kenosha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Parkside based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 3,925 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin Parkside is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Parkside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; University of Wisconsin Parkside 20:1.

Columbia College vs. Parkside Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Parkside? 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 University of Wisconsin Parkside than Columbia College ($10,234 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Parkside are 57.6% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($8,750 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 312.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Parkside (about $25,818 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $8,270.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.6% higher at Columbia College than at University of Wisconsin Parkside (about $16,659 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $17,429.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at University of Wisconsin Parkside (100% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 199.8% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Parkside students ($22,780 vs. $7,598).

Columbia College vs. Parkside Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin Parkside 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Parkside - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Parkside (3.31).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Parkside (75.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 26.1% at Parkside.

Columbia College vs. Parkside Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Columbia College Chicago's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Parkside's (28%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Parkside graduates have a $3,035 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($22,965 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Parkside graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($237 vs. $268).
• More Parkside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.