Columbia College vs. Urbana University

Should I go to Columbia College Chicago or Urbana University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbia College or Urbana University 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Columbia College Chicago vs. Urbana University comparison
Columbia College Chicago Urbana University College 3 College 4
Columbia College Chicago
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Columbia College Urbana University
Location Chicago, IL Urbana, OH
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 6,646 587
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu urbana.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Urbana University
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $23,700
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $23,700
Room & Board $18,000 $9,998
Avg Net Price $28,387 -
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $0
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 0%

Admission

Columbia College Urbana University
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 3.14
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 Urbana University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Health Professions (31%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Urbana University
Graduation Rate 41% 31%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $39,000
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $26,500
Median Loan Payment $268 $274

Diversity

Columbia College Urbana University
% Men 40% 57%
% Women 60% 43%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 55% 57%
% Black 15% 24%
% Hispanic 11% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 1%
% International 3% 6%
% Unknown Race 7% 10%

Students

Columbia College Urbana University
% In-State 57% 82%
% Out-of-State 40% 16%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College Chicago is larger than than Urbana University based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 587 students)

Columbia College vs. Urbana University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Urbana University?

  • Columbia College Chicago is 23.5% more expensive to attend than Urbana University for in-state tuition ($29,270.00 vs. $23,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.5% higher at Columbia College than Urbana University ($29,270.00 vs. $23,700.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Urbana University are 80% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($9,998 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than Urbana University (99% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is ?% larger than aid received Urbana University ($18,020 vs. $0)

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

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Urbana University (3.14)

Columbia College vs. Urbana University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or Urbana University? 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 Urbana University and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than Urbana University (41% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Urbana University earn on average $1,700 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($39,000 vs. $37,300)
  • Columbia College Chicago students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than Urbana University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $26,500)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than Urbana University graduates. ($268 vs. $274)
  • More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Urbana University students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 45%)

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