Columbia College vs. Western Illinois University

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 table 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.

Columbia College vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Western Illinois University? 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 Western Illinois University than Columbia College ($14,208 vs. $29,473).
• 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).
• Columbia College Chicago is 123.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Illinois University (about $18,824 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 123.3% higher at Columbia College than at Western Illinois University (about $18,824 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• 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).

Columbia College vs. Western Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Western Illinois University? 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 Western Illinois University and Columbia College.

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Illinois University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Western Illinois University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Columbia College (3.41).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

Columbia College vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Western Illinois University? 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).

• Western Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.