Columbia College vs. Wilberforce University

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

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Columbia College Chicago vs. Wilberforce University comparison
Columbia College Chicago Wilberforce University College 3 College 4
Columbia College Chicago
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Overview

Columbia College Wilberforce University
Location Chicago, IL Wilberforce, OH
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 6,646 656
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - African Methodist Episcopal - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu wilberforce.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Wilberforce University
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $12,020
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $12,020
Room & Board $18,000 $7,000
Avg Net Price $28,387 $14,070
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $9,380
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Columbia College Wilberforce University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 4,100
Admitted 7,298 1,850
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 45.1%
Enrolled % 22%Open 19.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 2.82
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 14/18
SAT Range 840/940
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

Columbia College Wilberforce University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (54%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Wilberforce University
Graduation Rate 41% 30%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $36,200
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 39%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $20,750
Median Loan Payment $268 $214

Diversity

Columbia College Wilberforce University
% Men 40% 45%
% Women 60% 55%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 55% 1%
% Black 15% 84%
% Hispanic 11% 1%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 10%

Students

Columbia College Wilberforce University
% In-State 57% 30%
% Out-of-State 40% 34%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College Chicago is larger than than Wilberforce University based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 656 students)

Columbia College vs. Wilberforce University Cost Comparison

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

  • Columbia College Chicago is 143.5% more expensive to attend than Wilberforce University for in-state tuition ($29,270.00 vs. $12,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 143.5% higher at Columbia College than Wilberforce University ($29,270.00 vs. $12,020.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wilberforce University than Columbia College ($14,070 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilberforce University are 157.1% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($7,000 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Wilberforce University than Columbia College Chicago (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 92.1% larger than aid received Wilberforce University ($18,020 vs. $9,380)

Columbia College vs. Wilberforce University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.59 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Wilberforce University (2.82)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Wilberforce University (45.1%)

Columbia College vs. Wilberforce University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or Wilberforce 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 Wilberforce University and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than Wilberforce University (41% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from Columbia College Chicago earn on average $1,100 more per year than Wilberforce University graduates after ten years. ($37,300 vs. $36,200)
  • Wilberforce University students graduate with a $5,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($20,750 vs. $26,000)
  • Wilberforce University graduates are paying $54 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($214 vs. $268)
  • More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wilberforce University students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 39%)

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