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Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL
Columbia College Chicago is a private liberal arts college located in the heart of downtown Chicago, Illinois. Established in 1890, the college has grown into a renowned institution focused on arts, media, and communication education. With a strong emphasis on hands-on learning and creative expression, Columbia College offers over 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in various fields, including fine and performing arts, journalism, cinema arts, creative writing, music, television, and more.
One of the key features that sets Columbia College Chicago apart is its urban location. Situated amidst the vibrant cultural scene of Chicago, students are exposed to endless opportunities for artistic inspiration and professional growth. The college maintains strong relationships with local organizations and industries, providing students with internships, job placements, and networking opportunities. Students can frequently engage with renowned artists, filmmakers, journalists, and other professionals through lectures, workshops, and special events that take place on campus.
Columbia College Chicago prides itself on its diverse and inclusive community, attracting students from all over the world who share a passion for creativity and artistic expression. The college values individuality and encourages students to explore their unique voices and perspectives. With state-of-the-art facilities, modern technology, and experienced faculty who are professionals in their fields, Columbia College Chicago provides students with the necessary tools and support to develop their skills and succeed in their chosen artistic careers.
Located in Chicago, IL and set in an urban environment, Columbia College Chicago is a private comprehensive higher education institution. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 91%. The freshman retention rate at Columbia College Chicago is 64% and the six-year graduation rate is 49%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is August 1. The transfer application deadline is July 1.
To find out more about what Columbia College Chicago has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
6,344
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
91%
Acceptance Rate
$32,272
Tuition
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
49%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to discover as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to maximize your chances of being accepted. Discover some important information about admission policy and requirements at Columbia College Chicago.
In 2024, the school accepted 7,178 new students. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively easy to get into.
Test Scores
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.5. This implies that you'll probably need a GPA above the average to secure admission.
Deadlines
The closing date for applications to this school is August 1. If you are applying for a transfer, note that the application deadline is July 1.
91%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for Columbia College Chicago was 64%.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 49%.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. Obtaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the institution had an enrollment of 6,529 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 37.8% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 6,344, 232 of which were foreign students. The number of transfer students at this school was 553.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 2,340 male and 3,806 female full-time students in 2024. 72 full-time graduate men and 105 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 222, while the number of African American students was 1,111. 1,814 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 283 identified with more than one race. The school also had 4 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 11 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 54 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $32,272 in 2024. Columbia College Chicago is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2024 were mandated to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,510.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to think about the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to give about $1,900 for books and supplies during their time at Columbia College Chicago.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do colleges and universities typically charge for accommodation and meals?
In 2024, room and board cost at Columbia College Chicago amounted to $23,400 a year.
| Tuition | $ 32,272 |
| Room and Board | $ 23,400 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,900 |
| Total Expense | $ 57,572 |
Financial Aid
Getting some financial aid in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be very important for finishing your studies. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at Columbia College Chicago.
According to the most recent data, 1,285 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $22,312 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
4,680 students were designated some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Columbia College Chicago is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 4,808. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $16,147,192, and state $14,265,485. The students of Columbia College Chicago received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $64,701,926, and external in the amount of $1,059,430.
$10,437
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
1,330 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2024. 261 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $16,147,192 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $1,500. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $14,814,018. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $665,242 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
In 2024, this ratio at Columbia College Chicago was 15:1. That means that there were 15 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 815. Out of that number, there were 463 male and 352 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some info about campus life at Columbia College Chicago.
Student Organizations
Engaging with a variety of student organizations can enrich your educational experience and make it more rewarding.
Based on the most up-to-date information available, there are 66 open-membership organizations at Columbia College Chicago. The student organization that attracts the greatest number of students is Improv Club, followed by Picture Perfect and Columbia Pride. Other popular organizations at Columbia College Chicago are Student Athletics Association and Black Student Union.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. Interested in media and communication? Columbia College Chicago publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Columbia College Chicago, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Columbia College Chicago.
All in all, campus life at Columbia College Chicago is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Columbia College Chicago.
Career Counselling
At Columbia College Chicago, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career.
FAQ
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Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL.
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Columbia College Chicago offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 32,272 USD per academic year for Columbia College Chicago.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Columbia College Chicago is 91%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Columbia College Chicago is 64%.
Contact Information
Columbia College Chicago,
600 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL
60605-1996
312 369-1000
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.