B-
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Academics
    B
  2. Value
    C+
  3. Diversity
    A
  4. Campus
    B+
  5. Athletics
    NG
  6. Party Scene
    A-
  7. Professors
    B+
  8. Location
    A+
  9. Dorms
    B
  10. Campus Food
    B-
  11. Student Life
    A-
  12. Safety
    C
View Full Report Card
Columbia College Chicago is ...
Private not-for-profit
Athletic Division
—
Athletic Conference
—
Address
600 South Michigan
Chicago, IL 60605
Website
colum.edu

Columbia College Chicago Rankings

Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate
89%
SAT Range
—
ACT Range
—
Application Fee
$35
SAT/ACT
Recommended
High School GPA
Required
Will You Get In?

Test Scores and GPA for Columbia College Chicago

Cost

Net Price
$27,839/ year
National
$15,431
Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
Net Price by Household Income
  • <$30k
    $24,913/ year
  • $30-48k
    $25,288/ year
  • $49-75k
    $28,226/ year
  • $76-110k
    $30,407/ year
  • $110k+
    $33,629/ year

Academics

Professors
B+
Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
Student Faculty Ratio
13:1
Evening Degree Programs
No
83%
of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.143 responses
57%
of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.145 responses
63%
of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.142 responses

Majors

Most Popular Majors
  • Cinematography and Video Production
    312 Graduates
  • Recording Arts Technician
    113 Graduates
  • Creative Writing
    100 Graduates
  • Marketing
    97 Graduates
  • Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
    97 Graduates
  • Graphic Design
    95 Graduates
  • Photography
    95 Graduates
  • Retailing Management
    95 Graduates
  • Fine and Studio Arts Management
    72 Graduates
  • Journalism
    71 Graduates

Students

Full-Time Enrollment
8,172Undergrads
Undergrads Over 25
7%
Pell Grant
39%
Varsity Athletes
—
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
Based on 87 responses
Report
  • I describe a Columbia College student as... artsy!
    34%
  • Individualist
    11%
  • Unique, different from every other school
    10%
  • "Create Change"
    9%
  • All of the Above
    8%
  • Special snowflakes
    7%
  • Different
    6%

Campus Life

Freshmen Live On-Campus
67%
Poll
90%
of students say they don't have Greek life.126 responses
Poll
88%
of students say no one pays attention to varsity sports.209 responses
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes your school?
Based on 87 responses
Report
  • Artistic
    52%
  • Passionate
    31%
  • Independent
    10%
  • Nonchalant
    6%
  • Exuberant
    1%

After Columbia College Chicago

Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
$32,700/ year
National
$33,028
Graduation Rate
43%
National
47%
Employed 2 Years After Graduation
90%
National
83%
67%
of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.89 responses
Colleges like Columbia College Chicago
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Columbia College Chicago Reviews

2,416 reviews
All Categories
This school is so much fun! They aren't kidding when they say they will prepare you for the real world and give you hands on experiences. The city is so fun to live in, it's not at all like your typical state school. Everyone is a weird artsy kid like you. First of all, make sure you have enough money to go here. They don't give out many scholarships past incoming freshmen. Second, meet with people and network. Don't come here undecided in your major, because there's really no room for error without wasting money because they focus on more career specific courses, even your gen eds will be related to your major.
Review Columbia College Chicago
I love this school so much! The people, the location, the classes and the dorms. It's really great. It's not your typical college and that's what I love about it, I feel like I'm in the real world. Your classes are small so you're able to have meaningful discussions with your classmates and all my professors have been really good. If the arts is something you want to go for, check this school out. Yes its expensive but honestly what college isn't these days. You're getting what you pay for and you're in the heart of Chicago as your playground. Work hard and apply for scholarships if your serious about this school and I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out. It's truly amazing!
Before college, I was extremely nervous moving into the heart of Chicago for school, partly because I never visited the city much. But after my first year of school at Columbia, I couldn't leave, I didn't want to move out. For starters, the best part about this experience is living or commuting into the big city, meeting tons of people with a common interest and then creating something awesome with that person. There is ALWAYS something to do around you. Chicago is a HUGE artist and business community; you can collaborate with almost anyone. I'm in graphic design and found myself collaborating with people in film, game developing, music production, fashion and so much more. Columbia is extremely diverse, anyone can be themselves. Although there are no sports at Columbia, If exercise is a priority, there is a whole city to workout in. If you are attending or planning to attend Columbia for something that isn't Art related, you probably shouldn't go.