Columbia College vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 5,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Columbia College vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or WKU? 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 Kentucky University than Columbia College ($12,548 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 39% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($12,582 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 192.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $22,436 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.3% higher at Columbia College than at Western Kentucky University (about $7,088 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 108.6% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($22,780 vs. $10,921).

Columbia College vs. WKU Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Columbia College (3.41).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Columbia College (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Columbia College vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and WKU? 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 Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from Columbia College Chicago earn a median of about $200 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,300 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($250 vs. $268).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.