Columbia College vs. Western Illinois University

Columbia College Chicago and Western Illinois University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Columbia College Chicago
Western Illinois University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Western Illinois University (71.2% admitted vs 89.5%). Typical SAT 990 vs N/A.
  • Cheaper after aid: Western Illinois University. Average net price is $14,208 vs $29,473 at Columbia College.
  • Graduation: Columbia College 41% vs Western Illinois University 53%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Columbia College $37,300 vs Western Illinois University $46,000 (median).
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Key differences

Columbia College Chicago Western Illinois University
Acceptance rate
Western Illinois University more selective
Columbia College89.5%
Western Illinois University71.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Western Illinois University higher
Columbia College-
Western Illinois University880-1090
Average net price
Western Illinois University $15,265 less
Columbia College$29,473
Western Illinois University$14,208
In-state tuition
Western Illinois University $18,824 less
Columbia College$34,088
Western Illinois University$15,264
Out-of-state tuition
Western Illinois University $18,824 less
Columbia College$34,088
Western Illinois University$15,264
Graduation rate
Western Illinois University +12 pts
Columbia College41%
Western Illinois University53%
Median earnings (10 years)
Western Illinois University +$8,700
Columbia College$37,300
Western Illinois University$46,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Columbia College 7,079
  • Western Illinois University 8,674
  • Admitted
  • Columbia College 6,333
  • Western Illinois University 6,174
  • Acceptance rate
  • Columbia College 89.5% Open
  • Western Illinois University 71.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Columbia College 15.1% Open
  • Western Illinois University 10.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Columbia College
  • Western Illinois University 990
  • Typical ACT score
  • Columbia College
  • Western Illinois University 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • Columbia College 3.41
  • Western Illinois University 3.45
  • Typical high school grades
  • Columbia College B+
  • Western Illinois University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Columbia College Unavailable
  • Western Illinois University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Columbia College
  • Western Illinois University Low
  • SAT range
  • Columbia College
  • Western Illinois University 880-1090
  • ACT range
  • Columbia College
  • Western Illinois University 18-24
  • Submit test scores
  • Columbia College Open admission
  • Western Illinois University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Columbia College Aug 1, 2027
  • Western Illinois University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Columbia College $34,088
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Columbia College $34,088
  • Western Illinois University $15,264
  • Room & board
  • Columbia College $20,629
  • Western Illinois University $11,320
  • Average net price
  • Columbia College $29,473
  • Western Illinois University $14,208
  • Average grant aid
  • Columbia College $22,780
  • Western Illinois University $14,994
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Columbia College 100%
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • Graduation rate
  • Columbia College 41%
  • Western Illinois University 53%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Columbia College $37,300
  • Western Illinois University $46,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Columbia College 46%
  • Western Illinois University 61%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Columbia College $26,000
  • Western Illinois University $24,704
  • Median loan payment
  • Columbia College $268
  • Western Illinois University $255
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Columbia College 15:1
  • Western Illinois University 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Columbia College
    • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Communications Technology (6%)
    • English and Literature (5%)
  • Western Illinois University
    • Business (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Location
  • Columbia College Chicago, IL
  • Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
  • Setting
  • Columbia College Large City
  • Western Illinois University Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Columbia College 5,570
  • Western Illinois University 6,332
  • Type
  • Columbia College Private 4 Year
  • Western Illinois University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Columbia College
  • Western Illinois University #571

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Illinois University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 5,570 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
  • Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 45.1% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($11,320 vs. $20,629).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 123.3% higher at Columbia College than at Western Illinois University (about $18,824 more per year; $34,088 vs. $15,264).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 51.9% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($22,780 vs. $14,994).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are open admission at Columbia College, test-free at Western Illinois University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Columbia College (3.41).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $1,296 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($24,704 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($255 vs. $268).
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 46%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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