Columbia College vs. WWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with William Woods University in Fulton, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than WWU based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 2,046 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); William Woods University is in Fulton, MO (Distant Town setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William Woods University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; William Woods University 16:1.

Columbia College vs. WWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or WWU? 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 William Woods University than Columbia College ($27,092 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Woods University are 36.7% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($13,050 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 12.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WWU (about $3,748 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $30,340.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.4% higher at Columbia College than at William Woods University (about $3,748 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $30,340.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at William Woods University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 2.6% larger than aid received by William Woods University students ($22,780 vs. $22,204).

Columbia College vs. WWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or WWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WWU and Columbia College.

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; WWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027; WWU Dec 1, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman Columbia College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at WWU (3.4).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than WWU (71%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 23.6% at WWU.

Columbia College vs. WWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and WWU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• William Woods University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from William Woods University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,600 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Woods University graduates have a $4,563 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($21,437 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, WWU graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($221 vs. $268).
• More WWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.