Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · Graduate degree-granting
Located in Chicago, Illinois, Columbia College Chicago is a private nonprofit institution, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. With 5,368 students, it is a mid-size institution. Graduates earn a median of $42,195 ten years after enrollment, near the national median. On the academic side, the graduation rate is 49.9%. For cost considerations, median graduate debt is $25,000, yielding an earnings-to-debt ratio of 1.69x. The average net price after financial aid is $26,598 per year. The most popular programs include Design & Applied Arts, Graphic Communications, Film, Video & Photographic Arts, Drama & Theater Arts, and Arts & Entertainment Management.
Key Outcomes
Median Earnings (10yr)
$42,195
Graduation Rate
49.9%
Median Debt
$25,000
Average Net Price
$26,598
Earnings-to-Cost Ratio
0.4x
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio
1.69x
Admissions & Enrollment
Total Enrollment
5,368
Admission Rate
89.5%
Average SAT
Not reported
Retention Rate
66.0%
Cost
In-State Tuition
$34,088
Out-of-State Tuition
$34,088
Pell Grant Rate
46.0%
Federal Loan Rate
55.5%
Net Cost by Family Income
Income $0–$30K
$20,924
Income $30K–$48K
$21,423
Income $48K–$75K
$25,590
Income $110K+
$36,436
Student Demographics
Women
61.2%
White
39.5%
Black
18.7%
Hispanic
28.2%
Asian
3.7%
Two or More Races
4.8%
Student Loan Performance
Repayment Rate (3yr)
45.8%
Accreditations
- Higher Learning Commission — Institutional Accreditation (Accredited)
Programs (31)
Bachelor (22)
| Program | Median Earnings | Completers |
|---|---|---|
| Design & Applied Arts | $48,601 | 258 |
| Graphic Communications | $43,970 | 212 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | $41,200 | 162 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | $39,986 | 140 |
| Arts & Entertainment Management | $50,592 | 90 |
| Music | $40,734 | 53 |
| Fine Arts | $42,176 | 52 |
| Marketing | $65,686 | 47 |
| Rhetoric & Composition | $39,751 | 46 |
| Radio, Television & Film | $54,357 | 42 |
| Physics | Not reported | 30 |
| Journalism | $51,639 | 27 |
| Public Relations | $66,798 | 27 |
| Audiovisual Communications | $43,731 | 24 |
| Communications | Not reported | 20 |
| American Sign Language | $45,619 | 19 |
| Dance | $41,842 | 15 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $49,593 | 14 |
| Computer Programming | Not reported | 7 |
| Ethnic & Gender Studies | $44,703 | 6 |
| English Language & Literature | Not reported | 4 |
| Business Administration & Management | $56,482 | 2 |
Master (9)
| Program | Median Earnings | Completers |
|---|---|---|
| Rhetoric & Composition | $57,240 | 29 |
| Arts & Entertainment Management | $60,136 | 16 |
| Music | Not reported | 14 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | $53,147 | 10 |
| Business/Corporate Communications | Not reported | 10 |
| Fine Arts | Not reported | 8 |
| Communications | Not reported | 5 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | Not reported | 5 |
| Movement Therapy | $59,340 | 1 |
Rankings Featuring This Institution
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Communications Technology Programs
- Highest Earning Bachelor's English Programs in Illinois
- Highest Earning Master's English Programs in Illinois
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Visual & Performing Arts Programs in Illinois
- Highest Earning Master's Visual & Performing Arts Programs in Illinois
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Communications Programs in Illinois
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Communications Technology Programs in Illinois
- Highest Earning Bachelor's Interdisciplinary Studies Programs in Illinois
- Highest Job Growth Bachelor's English Programs
- Highest Job Growth Master's English Programs
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