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.
Columbia College Chicago is a private comprehensive higher education institution located in Chicago, IL and set in an urban environment. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 94%. The freshman retention rate at Columbia College Chicago is 67.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 47%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is August 1. The transfer application deadline is July 1.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most important things about Columbia College Chicago.
Quick Facts
6,424
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
94%
Acceptance Rate
$29,270
Tuition
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
47%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you discover as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly improve. Learn some important info about admission policy and requirements at Columbia College Chicago.
In 2023, the school accepted 7,298 new students. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, 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 3.41. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Columbia College Chicago.
Deadlines
The final day for applications to this school is August 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is July 1.
94%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university newcomers who return for their sophomore year. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for Columbia College Chicago was 67.2% in 2023.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 47%.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the best place for you. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Columbia College Chicago in 2023 was 6,646.
That year, the school had 40% of out-of-state students. There was a total of 6,424 undergraduate students, including 222 international students. The school reported to have a total of 491 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 2,487 male and 3,801 female full-time students in 2023, which is indicative of the value gender equality has at this school. There were 72 full-time graduate male and 105 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student population and improving students' sense 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 2023, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 223, while the number of Black American students was 1,086. 1,648 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 317 identified with more than one race. The school also had 6 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 6 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 65 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. Here are some important information on Columbia College Chicago costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Columbia College Chicago? Here is what you need to know.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $29,270 in 2023. Since this is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students reached $1,450 in 2023.
Books and Supplies
The estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another significant expense. Most students have to spend about $1,700 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 is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
In 2023, the price of room and board at Columbia College Chicago was $2,346 per academic year.
| Tuition | $ 29,270 |
| Room and Board | $ 2,346 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,700 |
| Total Expense | $ 33,316 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial aid can be a great deal for most students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid at Columbia College Chicago.
According to the most recent data, 1,351 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $19,924.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet some eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
4,378 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 came to be 4,491. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $13,360,091, and state $9,739,851. The students of Columbia College Chicago received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $55,453,019, and external in the amount of $972,390.
$9,779
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
1,032 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2023. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 294 full-time freshmen. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $13,360,091 while the state aid is $22,345. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $12,177,169. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $857,347 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 2023, this ratio at Columbia College Chicago was 15:1. That means that there were 15 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 815 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 463 male and 352 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Columbia College Chicago: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some info about campus life at Columbia College Chicago.
Student Organizations
Participating in multiple student organizations can add depth and fulfillment to your educational journey.
According to the most recent information, there are 66 open-membership organizations at Columbia College Chicago. The student organization that has the biggest membership is Improv Club, followed by Picture Perfect and Columbia Pride. Other popular organizations among the students 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. For students who have a passion for media and communication, Columbia College Chicago publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Columbia College Chicago has a number of services necessary for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
There is 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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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Columbia College Chicago is 29,270 USD, based on the most recent data.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Columbia College Chicago is 94%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Columbia College Chicago is 67.2%.
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.