St. Thomas University vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, FL with Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St. Thomas University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (7,652 students vs. 5,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St. Thomas University is located in Miami Gardens, FL (Large Suburban setting); Columbia College Chicago is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• St. Thomas University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St. Thomas University 17:1; Columbia College Chicago 15:1.

St. Thomas University vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Thomas University or Columbia College? 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 St. Thomas University than Columbia College ($27,844 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. Thomas University are 36% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($13,210 vs. $20,629).
• St. Thomas University is 2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $682 more per year; $34,770.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at St. Thomas University than at Columbia College Chicago (about $682 more per year; $34,770.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at St. Thomas University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. Thomas University students is 2.5% larger than aid received by Columbia College Chicago students ($23,356 vs. $22,780).

St. Thomas University vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Thomas University or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College and St. Thomas University.

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. Thomas University 860/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. Thomas University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Thomas University - Test-free; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at St. Thomas University (3.24).
• St. Thomas University has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than Columbia College (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.5% at St. Thomas University vs. 15.1% at Columbia College.

St. Thomas University vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Thomas University and Columbia College? 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).

• Columbia College Chicago's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than St. Thomas University's (39%).
• Graduates from St. Thomas University earn a median of about $19,100 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,400 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St. Thomas University graduates have a $3,247 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($22,753 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, St. Thomas University graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($235 vs. $268).
• More St. Thomas University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.