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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
    B+
  12. Safety
    C+
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Columbia College Chicago is ...
Private not-for-profit
Athletic Division
—
Athletic Conference
—
Address
600 South Michigan
Chicago, IL 60605
Website
colum.edu
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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
88%
Application Deadline
—
SAT Range
—
ACT Range
—
Application Fee
$35
SAT/ACT
Recommended
High School GPA
Required
Early Decision/Early Action
—
Improve Your SAT/ACT Scores with Test Prep

Cost

Net Price
$29,530/ year
National
$15,523
Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
Net Price by Household Income
  • <$30k
    $26,192/ year
  • $30-48k
    $26,962/ year
  • $49-75k
    $30,220/ year
  • $76-110k
    $32,160/ year
  • $110k+
    $33,259/ year
Student Loan Options from Lenders
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  • Affordable fixed or variable rates
  • No application, origination or disbursement fees
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  • Loans from community lenders that put people before profits
  • Easy, online app with ability to add a cosigner in minutes
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  • Simple, straightforward student loans with an easy application
  • Flexible repayment options, and strong borrower protections

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
58%
of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.152 responses
64%
of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.149 responses
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Majors

Most Popular Majors
  • Cinematography and Video Production
    278 Graduates
  • Graphic Design
    122 Graduates
  • Recording Arts Technician
    120 Graduates
  • Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
    111 Graduates
  • Retailing Management
    100 Graduates
  • Photography
    81 Graduates
  • Music Management
    80 Graduates
  • Journalism
    75 Graduates
  • Creative Writing
    74 Graduates
  • Marketing
    65 Graduates

Students

Full-Time Enrollment
7,142Undergrads
Undergrads Over 25
6%
Pell Grant
35%
Varsity Athletes
—
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
Based on 94 responses
Report
  • I describe a Columbia College student as... artsy!
    33%
  • Individualist
    11%
  • All of the Above
    10%
  • Unique, different from every other school
    10%
  • "Create Change"
    9%
  • Different
    6%
  • Special snowflakes
    6%

Campus Life

Freshmen Live On-Campus
71%
Poll
91%
of students say they don't have Greek life.133 responses
Poll
88%
of students say no one pays attention to varsity sports.216 responses
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes your school?
Based on 94 responses
Report
  • Artistic
    52%
  • Passionate
    31%
  • Independent
    10%
  • Nonchalant
    5%
  • Exuberant
    1%
  • Home away from home
    1%

After College

Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
$33,400/ year
National
$33,028
Graduation Rate
45%
National
49%
Employed 2 Years After Graduation
91%
National
83%
67%
of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.89 responses
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Columbia College Chicago Reviews

2,469 reviews
All Categories
I love Columbia College Chicago, it has an extremely diverse student body! This is especially a great school for anyone who identifies as non-binary if that's something that concerns you. I will admit though, this is a no-nonsense kind of school. Attendance policy isn't very lax and this is by no means a party school. Some more useful information: The campus is split up into different building in downtown Chicago so there'll be some walking to go between buildings.
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Columbia is a great college to attend with it's colorfully painted walls and random events that pop up almost a few times a week. They offer large opportunities for their students while also providing everything they need in multiple rooms such as Game Room, Tech Labs, Craft Stations and so much more! I definitely recommend anyone to consider attending Columbia College Chicago.
Columbia is a great place to LEARN. All of your professors are those who are working in your perspective field, today. They are living what they love, and what you love. The community is absolutely amazing, everyone encourages each other and wants to collaborate.
I would like to see change within the music department. There is not much of a high standard in ensemble groups. It not fair to those who get unwillingly placed in some groups, because of the tier system, and have to play in a group with other students who don't know what they're doing. Columbia lumps everyone together, sometimes, for the sake of being "nice".
Student Financial Aid office is super inconsistent. They have a phone line with very inexperienced SFA workers. Cherish the ones that are understandable, and empathetic, because they are rare.