Columbia College Chicago

600 South Michigan Ave
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Admissionswww.colum.edu/admissions/
Apply Onlinewww.colum.edu/apply
Financial Aidwww.colum.edu/columbia-central/index.html
Net Price Calculatorcolum.studentaidcalculator.com/survey.aspx
Tuition Policies for Servicemembers and Veteranswww.colum.edu/veterans/
Disability Servicesstudents.colum.edu/ssd/index.php
Athletic Graduation Rates
Mission Statement
  Columbia College Chicago is an undergraduate and graduate institution whose principal commitment is to provide a comprehensive educational opportunity in the arts, communications, and public information within a context of enlightened liberal education. Columbia’s intent is to educate students who will communicate creatively and shape the public’s perceptions of issues and events and who will author the culture of their times. Columbia is an urban institution whose students reflect the economic, racial, cultural, and educational diversity of contemporary America. Columbia conducts education in close relation to a vital urban reality and serves an important civic purpose by active engagement in the life and culture of the city of Chicago.
Special Learning Opportunities
Study abroad
Undergraduate research (co-curricula)
Student Services
Academic/career counseling service
Employment services for students
Placement services for completers
Undergraduate students enrolled who are formally registered with office of disability services
8.00%
Carnegie Classification
Master's Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs
Religious Affiliation
Not applicable
Federal Aid
Eligible students may receive Pell Grants and other federal aid (e.g. Direct Loans).
For-credit instruction programs offered
Academic
Noncredit education offered
Institution does not offer noncredit education
Credit Accepted
Dual credit
Credit for life experiences
Advanced placement (AP) credits
Faculty and graduate assistants by primary function, Fall 2022Full timePart time
Total faculty234593
Instructional234593
Research and public service00
Total graduate assistants-12
Instructional-12
Research-0
Estimated Expenses for Full-time Beginning Undergraduate Students
  • Beginning students are those who are entering postsecondary education for the first time.
Estimated expenses for academic year2019-20202020-20212021-20222022-2023% change 2021-2022 to 2022-2023
Tuition and fees$27,756$27,786$27,786$31,02611.7%
Books and supplies$1,600$1,600$1,600$1,7006.3%
Living arrangement
On Campus
Room and board$16,000$16,456$16,456$18,0009.4%
Other$2,856$2,856$2,856$2,9904.7%
Off Campus
Room and board$16,000$16,456$16,456$18,0009.4%
Other$2,856$2,856$2,856$2,9904.7%
Off Campus with Family
Other$2,856$2,856$2,974$3,0000.9%
Total Expenses2019-20202020-20212021-20222022-2023% change 2021-2022 to 2022-2023
On Campus$48,212$48,698$48,698$53,71610.3%
Off Campus$48,212$48,698$48,698$53,71610.3%
Off Campus with Family$32,212$32,242$32,360$35,72610.4%
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This calculator uses estimated student expenses data to estimate the total tuition and fees charged over the duration of a typical 4-year program at this school.
1. Select starting academic year
2. Select tuition inflation rate
 
 

% (0-100 allowed)
  • The output is only an estimate and not a guarantee of the actual amount the student may be charged; it is not binding on the Secretary, the institution of higher education, or the State; and it may change, subject to the availability of financial assistance, State appropriations, and other factors. The student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for, and receive, an actual financial aid award that includes federal grant, loan, or work-study assistance.
  • The estimated price does not include room and board, books and supplies, &c. (where applicable) and is based on previous years' tuition and fees data. Tuition and fees may vary by program. Please contact this institution for detailed price information.
  • Estimated yearly tuition and fees may not sum to totals because of rounding.
Estimate the total tuition and fee costs over the duration of a typical program.
 Multiyear Tuition Calculator
Average graduate student tuition and fees for academic year2022-2023
Tuition$1,209
Fees$1,176
Alternative Tuition Plans and Promise Program
Type of PlanOffered
Tuition guarantee plan
Prepaid tuition plan
Tuition payment planX
Other alternative tuition plan
  • Does not participate in Promise program
Undergraduate Student Financial Aid, 2021-2022
Full-time Beginning Undergraduate Students
  • Beginning students are those who are entering postsecondary education for the first time.
Type of AidNumber awarded aidPercent awarded aidTotal amount of aid awardedAverage amount of aid awarded
Any student financial aid11,65599%————
Grant or scholarship aid1,65599%$29,823,737$18,020
Federal grants85651%$4,911,608$5,738
Pell grants78647%$3,863,199$4,915
Other federal grants30618%$1,048,409$3,426
State/local government grant or scholarships59135%$2,978,801$5,040
Institutional grants or scholarships1,65098%$21,933,328$13,293
Student loan aid1,02061%$7,447,440$7,301
Federal student loans94356%$5,046,801$5,352
Other student loans25915%$2,400,639$9,269
  • 1 Includes students awarded Federal work study aid and aid from other sources not listed above.
All Undergraduate Students
Type of AidNumber awarded aidPercent awarded aidTotal amount of aid awardedAverage amount of aid awarded
Degree/certificate-seeking
Grant or scholarship aid15,99293%$106,411,904$17,759
Pell grants2,63141%$12,676,695$4,818
Federal student loans3,78359%$24,736,714$6,539
Non-degree/non-certificate-seeking
Grant or scholarship aid11543%$140,912$9,394
  • 1 Grant or scholarship aid includes aid awarded, from the federal government, state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.

  • For more information on Student Financial Assistance Programs or to apply for financial aid via the web, visit Federal Student Aid.
Average Net Price for Full-Time Beginning Students
Full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.
2019-20202020-20212021-2022
Average net price$28,568$25,262$28,387
Full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded Title IV aid by income.
Average net price by Income2019-20202020-20212021-2022
$0 – $30,000$21,344$19,039$22,898
$30,001 – $48,000$22,304$19,993$23,354
$48,001 – $75,000$26,626$24,374$26,813
$75,001 – $110,000$30,369$28,985$29,966
$110,001 and more$32,511$30,955$31,503
  • Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees, books and supplies, and the weighted average for room and board and other expenses.
  • Beginning students are those who are entering postsecondary education for the first time.
  • Title IV aid to students includes grant aid, work study aid, and loan aid. These include: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant), Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant, Federal Work-Study, Federal Perkins Loan, Subsidized Direct or FFEL Stafford Loan, and Unsubsidized Direct or FFEL Stafford Loan. For those Title IV recipients, net price is reported by income category and includes students awarded federal aid even if none of that aid was provided in the form of grants. While Title IV status defines the cohort of student for which the data are reported, the definition of net price remains the same – total cost of attendance minus grant aid.
Net Price Calculator
An institution’s net price calculator allows current and prospective students, families, and other consumers to estimate the net price of attending that institution for a particular student.
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Fall 2022
Total enrollment6,646
Undergraduate enrollment6,424
Undergraduate transfer-in enrollment491
Graduate enrollment222
Undergraduate Attendance StatusUndergraduate Student Gender
Undergraduate Attendance Status:Full-time: 95%Part-time: 5%Undergraduate Student Gender:Male: 40%Female: 60%
Undergraduate Race/ethnicity
Undergraduate Race/ethnicity:American Indian or Alaska Native: 0%Asian: 3%Black or African American: 17%Hispanic/Latino: 26%Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: 0%White: 44%Two or more races: 5%Race/ethnicity unknown: 1%U.S. Nonresident: 4%
Undergraduate Student AgeUndergraduate Student Residence
Undergraduate Student Age:24 and under: 93%25 and over: 7%Age unknown: 0%Undergraduate Student Residence:In-state: 57%Out-of-state: 40%Foreign countries: 3%Unknown: 0%
  • Age data are reported for Fall 2021.
  • Residence data are reported for first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates.
Undergraduate Distance Education Status
Undergraduate Enrollment by Distance Education Status:Enrolled exclusively in distance education courses: 1%Enrolled in some, but not all, distance education courses: 42%Not enrolled in any distance education courses: 57%
Graduate Attendance Status
Graduate Attendance Status:Full-time: 80%Part-time: 20%
Graduate Distance Education Status
Graduate Enrollment by Distance Education Status:Enrolled exclusively in distance education courses: 1%Enrolled in some, but not all, distance education courses: 22%Not enrolled in any distance education courses: 77%
Undergraduate application fee (2022-2023): $25
Undergraduate Admissions Fall 2022
TotalMaleFemale
Number of applicants7,7012,7814,920
Percent admitted95%93%96%
Percent admitted who enrolled22%24%21%
Admissions ConsiderationsRequired to be consideredNot required, but consideredNot considered
Secondary school GPAX
Secondary school rankX
Secondary school recordX
Completion of college-preparatory programX
RecommendationsX
Formal demonstration of competenciesX
Work experienceX
Personal statement or essayX
Legacy statusNot applicableX
Admission test scoresRequired to be consideredNot required, but considered (Test Optional)Not considered (Test Blind)
SAT / ACTX
Other Test (Wonderlic,WISC-III,etc)X
English Proficiency TestX
First-to-Second Year Retention Rates

Retention rates measure the percentage of first-time students who are seeking bachelor's degrees who return to the institution to continue their studies the following fall.

Retention Rates for First-Time Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees
Student retention:Full-time students: 67%Part-time students: 13%
Percentage of Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2021 and Returned in Fall 2022
Overall Graduation Rate and Transfer-Out Rate

The overall graduation rate is also known as the "Student Right to Know" or IPEDS graduation rate. It tracks the progress of students who began their studies as full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking students to see if they complete a degree or other award such as a certificate within 150% of "normal time" for completing the program in which they are enrolled.

Some institutions also report a transfer-out rate, which is the percentage of the full-time, first-time students who transferred to another institution without completing at the current institution.

Note that not all students at the institution are tracked for these rates. Students who have already attended another postsecondary institution, or who began their studies on a part-time basis, are not tracked for this rate. At this institution, 74 percent of entering students were counted as "full-time, first-time" in 2022.

Overall Graduation and Transfer-Out Rates for Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2016
Overall graduation rate:Overall graduation rate: 47%(*) Transfer-out rate:
Percentage of Full-time, First-Time Students Who Graduated or Transferred Out Within 150% of "Normal Time" to Completion for Their Program
  • (*) Not all institutions report transfer-out rates.
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rates

Bachelor’s degree graduation rates measure the percentage of entering students beginning their studies full-time and are planning to get a bachelor’s degree and who complete their degree program within a specified amount of time.

Graduation Rates for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees
Bachelor's degree rate:[Began in Fall 2014]4-year: 42%6-year: 50%8-year: 51%[Began in Fall 2016]4-year: 40%6-year: 47%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Graduated in the Specified Amount of Time and Began in Fall 2014 or Fall 2016
6-Year Graduation Rate by Gender for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees
6-Year Graduation Rate by Gender for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees:Male: 45%Female: 49%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2016 and Received a Degree or Award Within 150% of "Normal Time" to Completion for Their Program
6-Year Graduation Rate by Race/Ethnicity for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees
6-Year Graduation Rate by Race/Ethnicity for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees:American Indian or Alaska Native: 60%Asian: 68%Black or African American: 34%Hispanic/Latino: 35%White: 53%Two or more races: 43%Race/ethnicity unknown: 51%U.S. Nonresident: 69%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2016 and Received a Degree or Award Within 150% of "Normal Time" to Completion for Their Program
Completions (Number of awards conferred) 2021-2022
Completions are the number of awards conferred by program and award level.
sort byProgramPostgraduate
Certificate
BachelorMaster
  • Data shown are for first majors.
  • (-) Program is not offered at this award level.
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
Deaf Studies-4-
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other-1-
Category total-5-
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Marketing/Marketing Management, General-33-
Retail Management-3-
Category total-36-
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Advertising-16-
Communication, General-146
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia-5-
Journalism-200
Photojournalism-5-
Public Relations/Image Management-12-
Radio and Television-49-
Category total-1216
Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects-209-
Recording Arts Technology/Technician-44-
Category total-253-
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer Programming/Programmer, General-6-
Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design-0-
Category total-6-
Education
Early Childhood Education and Teaching-0-
Category total-0-
English Language and Literature/Letters
Creative Writing-4022
English Language and Literature, General-11-
Category total-5122
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Sign Language Interpretation and Translation-23-
Category total-23-
Health Professions and Related Programs
Movement Therapy and Movement Education0-1
Category total0-1
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
General Studies-3-
Category total-3-
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other-110
Category total-110
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
Sport and Fitness Administration/Management-2-
Category total-2-
Physical Sciences
Acoustics-13-
Category total-13-
Visual and Performing Arts
Acting-441
Art History, Criticism and Conservation-6-
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, General-811
Cinematography and Film/Video Production-1110
Comedy Writing and Performance-39-
Commercial and Advertising Art-3-
Dance, General-19-
Directing and Theatrical Production-0-
Documentary Production-4-
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General-13-
Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, Other-0-
Fashion/Apparel Design-58-
Film/Cinema/Media Studies-013
Fine and Studio Arts Management-2820
Fine Arts and Art Studies, Other-00
Fine/Studio Arts, General-238
Game and Interactive Media Design-34-
Graphic Design-76-
Illustration-39-
Interior Design-290
Intermedia/Multimedia-67
Music Management-490
Music Performance, General-0-
Music Technology-5-
Music Theory and Composition-2-
Music, General-37-
Music, Other-213
Musical Theatre-33-
Photography-619
Playwriting and Screenwriting-0-
Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology-15-
Theatre/Theatre Arts Management-2-
Category total-74682
Grand total01,270111
  • No varsity sports data reported for this institution. Data on varsity athletics are submitted annually as required by the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA), by all co-educational postsecondary institutions that have an intercollegiate athletics program. For the most recent data collection, EADA did not collect data on varsity athletics for programs that were cancelled due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Institutional Accreditation
AccreditorStatusNext Review Date
Higher Learning CommissionAccredited since ((!)01/01/1974)08/31/2029
  • (!) Estimated date
  • For more detailed information on accreditation for this institution, including all actions and justification for actions, visit OPE's Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs: ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/institution-profile/112765.
On-Campus
Criminal Offenses201920202021
a. Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter000
b. Negligent manslaughter000
c. Rape673
d. Fondling212
e. Incest000
f. Statutory Rape000
g. Robbery101
h. Aggravated assault300
i. Burglary040
j. Motor vehicle theft000
k. Arson000
VAWA Offenses201920202021
a. Domestic violence000
b. Dating violence430
c. Stalking768
Arrests201920202021
a. Weapons: carrying, possessing, etc.100
b. Drug abuse violations100
c. Liquor law violations000
Disciplinary Actions201920202021
a. Weapons: carrying, possessing, etc.003
b. Drug abuse violations1064733
c. Liquor law violations2098271
On-Campus Student Housing Facilities
  • On-campus Student Housing Facilities statistics are a subset of On-Campus statistics.
Criminal Offenses201920202021
a. Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter000
b. Negligent manslaughter000
c. Rape663
d. Fondling202
e. Incest000
f. Statutory Rape000
g. Robbery101
h. Aggravated assault300
i. Burglary000
j. Motor vehicle theft000
k. Arson000
VAWA Offenses201920202021
a. Domestic violence000
b. Dating violence330
c. Stalking333
Arrests201920202021
a. Weapons: carrying, possessing, etc.000
b. Drug abuse violations100
c. Liquor law violations000
Disciplinary Actions201920202021
a. Weapons: carrying, possessing, etc.003
b. Drug abuse violations1064733
c. Liquor law violations2098271
  • The crime data reported by the institutions have not been subjected to independent verification by the U.S. Department of Education. Therefore, the Department cannot vouch for the accuracy of the data reported here.
  • The crime statistics displayed only includes On-Campus data associated with the main campus as listed on College Navigator. For statistics associated with each campus location, off campus data, and for additional information covering Hate Crimes, and Fire statistics see https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety.
  • The On-Campus data do not include incidents that: (a) took place on public property, including thoroughfares, streets, sidewalks, and parking facilities, that is within the campus, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus; (b) took place on any building or property owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by the institution; or (c) took place on any building or property owned or controlled by an institution that is used in direct support of, or in relation to, the institution's educational purposes, is frequently used by students, and is not within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution.
Services and Programs for Servicemembers and Veterans
Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)
Credit for military training
Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military servicemembers, and their families
Recognized student veteran organization
Member of Department of Defense Voluntary Educational Partnership Memorandum of Understanding
Tuition policies specifically for Veterans and Servicemembers
Educational Benefits, 2021-2022
Number of students receiving benefits/assistance
Number of students receiving benefits/assistance:Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits - undergraduates: 70Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits - graduates: 1DoD Tuition Assistance Program - undergraduates: 13DoD Tuition Assistance Program - graduates: 1
Average amount of benefits/assistance disbursed through the institution (*)
Average amount of benefits/assistance disbursed through the institution:Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits - undergraduates: $16,112DoD Tuition Assistance Program - undergraduates: $1,200
  • (*) One or more average amounts of benefits/assistance are withheld to preserve the privacy of individuals.
RETENTION RATES
RETENTION RATES FOR FIRST-TIME, DEGREE/CERTIFICATE EDUCATION BENEFIT USERS PURSUING BACHELOR'S DEGREES
RETENTION RATES FOR FIRST-TIME, DEGREE/CERTIFICATE EDUCATION BENEFIT USERS PURSUING BACHELOR'S DEGREESFull-time students: 89%Part-time students: 50%
Retention rate is the percentage of undergraduate students who began their studies in academic year 2013-14 and returned in academic year 2014-15
Three-year Official Cohort Default Rates
Fiscal Year202020192018
Default rate0.0%1.8%6.1%
Number in default040154
Number in repayment2,0302,1922,511
Aid Programs
  • Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan)