Columbia College vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College Chicago is larger than University of Wisconsin-River Falls based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 5,243 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin River Falls is in River Falls, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin River Falls is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; University of Wisconsin River Falls 19:1.

Columbia College vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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 River Falls than Columbia College ($14,769 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin River Falls are 61.3% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($7,982 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 278.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-River Falls (about $25,080 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $9,008.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.1% higher at Columbia College than at University of Wisconsin River Falls (about $16,618 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $17,470.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at University of Wisconsin River Falls (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 445.5% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin River Falls students ($22,780 vs. $4,176).

Columbia College vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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 University of Wisconsin-River Falls 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 River Falls 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; University of Wisconsin-River Falls - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Wisconsin-River Falls students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Columbia College (3.41).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than University of Wisconsin-River Falls (81.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 25.1% at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Columbia College vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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).

• University of Wisconsin River Falls's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,100 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin River Falls graduates have a $3,275 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($22,725 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($234 vs. $268).
• More University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.