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Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL·Private·www.colum.edu/

Campus Identity

Graduate Programs

Columbia College Chicago is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Chicago, IL. Approximately 5,368 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 89% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 53/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Columbia College Chicago is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Chicago, IL. Approximately 5,368 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 89% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 53/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

89%
Acceptance Rate
7,079 applications
Test Optional
Test Policy
No test scores required
$26,610
In-State Tuition
+$1,176 fees
$26,610
Out-of-State Tuition
+$1,176 fees
$17,903
Room & Board
15 meals/week
5,368
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
15%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
52%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity89% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

This school does not require standardized test scores for admission. SAT and ACT submissions are optional.

Campus Lifestyle

School Size & Setting

5,000–9,999

Urban setting

Ski Access

25 miles

Four Lakes

Weather

Cold Climate

44°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Four Lakes

Illinois

25 mi away
9 skiable acres7 lifts
32 mi away
15 skiable acres7 lifts
52 mi away
135 skiable acres11 lifts

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Chicago, IL

26°Jan29°Feb38°Mar48°Apr58°May68°Jun74°Jul74°Aug67°Sep54°Oct43°Nov31°Dec

Station: CHICAGO NORTHERLY ISLAND · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

53/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety418537
41/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
85/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
37/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$26,610
Fees
$1,176
Room & Board
$17,903
Total
$45,689
App Fee: $25
Meal Plan: 15 meals/week

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

40 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Design and Applied ArtsBachelor's
258 grads/yr$48,601
Graphic CommunicationsBachelor's
212 grads/yr$43,970
Film/Video and Photographic ArtsBachelor's
162 grads/yr$41,200
Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftBachelor's
140 grads/yr$39,986
Arts, Entertainment, and Media ManagementBachelor's
90 grads/yr$50,592

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
Bachelor's27 grads$66,798
Marketing
Bachelor's47 grads$65,686
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management
Master's16 grads$60,136
Movement and Mind-Body Therapies and Education
Master's1 grads$59,340
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
Master's29 grads$57,240
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Bachelor's2 grads$56,482
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
Bachelor's42 grads$54,357
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
Master's10 grads$53,147
Journalism
Bachelor's27 grads$51,639
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management
Bachelor's90 grads$50,592

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Columbia College Chicago located?

Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL. The main campus address is 600 South Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Columbia College Chicago?

Columbia College Chicago has an acceptance rate of 89%, making it accessible. Out of 7,079 applicants, 6,333 were admitted in the most recent year. 5,368 students enrolled.

How much does it cost to attend Columbia College Chicago?

For the 2023–24 academic year, Columbia College Chicago charges $26,610/year in tuition. Including room and board ($17,903/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $27,786/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use Columbia College Chicago's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Columbia College Chicago?

The undergraduate application fee at Columbia College Chicago is $25. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Is Columbia College Chicago the right fit for me?

Whether Columbia College Chicago is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (89% admit rate), cost ($26,610/year out-of-state), campus culture in Chicago, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Columbia College Chicago against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Columbia College Chicago directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Chicago, IL
Size
5,000–9,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's
School Year Weather
Cold · 44°F avg
App Fee
$25
On Campus Safety Score
53/100
Nearest Airport
Chicago, IL (MDW) · 9 mialso ORD (16 mi), GYY (21 mi)

Location

Chicago, IL

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.