Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives
Private Nonprofit4-year

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois Β· City: LargeOfficial Website β†—

#1493
Nationally
#66
In Illinois
91%
Acceptance Rate
Nat'l avg 70%
$30,734
Annual Tuition
per year
48%
6-Year Grad Rate
Nat'l avg 63%
6,344
Undergrad Enrollment
5,000–9,999
Overall Score & Rankings
52/100
Good
#1493 nationally
#66 in Illinois
πŸŽ“Graduation Outcomes48
πŸ’°Affordability58
🎯Selectivity40
πŸ“šAcademic Environment50
πŸ”¬Program Breadth71

Scores based on IPEDS 2023–24 federal data. Methodology β†’

Columbia College Chicago is a private nonprofit four-year university located in Chicago, Illinois. With 6,344 undergraduate students enrolled and an acceptance rate of 91%, the institution is considered accessible. Annual tuition is $30,734, significantly below average for private colleges. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay an average net price of $21,045 after grants and scholarships β€” reflecting aid availability at the institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%, which is average compared to the national average of 63%.

Admissions
Acceptance Rate91%↓ Below avg
National avg: 70%
7,873
Applied
7,178
Admitted
1,608
Enrolled
Cost & Financial Aid
Annual Tuition$30,734/yr
Room & Board$18,638/yr
Total Cost of Attendance$51,158/yr
Tuition vs National Avg$30,734↑ Above avg
National avg: $38,768
Net Price After Aid by Family Income

Average annual net price after grants & scholarships, by family income

$0 – $30,000$21,045
$30,001 – $48,000$21,717
$48,001 – $75,000$26,017
$75,001 – $110,000$29,536
Over $110,000$31,261
Graduation Outcomes
6-Year Graduation Rate48%↓ Below avg
National avg: 63%

The six-year graduation rate measures students who earn their degree within 150% of normal time (6 years for a 4-year program). It is the federal standard for comparing outcomes across institutions.

Student Body
6,344
Total Undergrads
62% F / 38% M
Gender Split
Student Diversity
White 41%
Hispanic 29%
Black 18%
Asian 4%
Two or more 4%
International 4%
Native / Other 0%
Strengths & Considerations
Strengths
  • βœ“Tuition ($30,734/yr) is well below the national average for private nonprofit colleges
  • βœ“Open admissions policy (91% acceptance rate) β€” accessible to a wide range of students
Consider
  • Β·Net price for families earning under $30K is $21,045/yr β€” explore all aid options before applying
  • Β·Room and board costs ($18,638/yr) add significantly to the total cost of attendance
Who Is This College Best For?

This college is a strong fit for students seeking an accessible path to a college degree.

Institution Profile
Type4-year
ControlPrivate Nonprofit
LocationChicago, Illinois
SettingCity: Large
Size5,000–9,999
Affordability Spotlight
$21,045
avg net price/yr for families earning under $30K

Net price is what you actually pay after grants and scholarships β€” not the sticker price. File the FAFSA every year to maximize your aid package.

State Ranking
#66
in Illinois out of 7+ colleges
#1493
nationally
Data Source

All data sourced from the NCES IPEDS 2023–24 collection. Acceptance rates, test scores, and graduation rates reflect the most recent year reported. Scores are composite rankings calculated from five weighted dimensions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Data notice: All figures are sourced from IPEDS 2023–24 federal data. Tuition, acceptance rates, and enrollment figures change annually. Always verify current information directly with the institution. Net price figures are averages and individual aid packages will vary. Composite scores and rankings are calculated by SchoolRankings.org and are not affiliated with U.S. News, Forbes, or any government agency.