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IPEDS ID: 144281
OPE ID: 00166500
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Columbia College Chicago
600 South Michigan Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60605-1996
General information:  (312) 369-1000
Website:  www.colum.edu/
Type:  4-year, Private not-for-profit
Awards offered:  Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Campus setting:  City: Large
Campus housing:  Yes
Student population:  5,570 (5,422 undergraduate)
Student-to-faculty ratio:  15 to 1
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open-close General Information
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
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 relationship 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
Distance education – undergraduate courses offered, programs not offered
Distance education – graduate courses offered, programs not offered
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, Fall 2023
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
Credit for life experiences
Advanced placement (AP) credits
Faculty and graduate assistants by primary function, Fall 2024Full timePart time
Total faculty222397
Instructional222397
Research and public service00
Total graduate assistants-5
Instructional-5
Research-0
open-close Tuition, Fees, and Estimated Student Expenses
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 year2021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025% change 2023-2024 to 2024-2025
Tuition and fees$27,786$31,026$32,520$34,0884.8%
Books and supplies$1,600$1,700$1,800$1,9005.6%
Living arrangement
On Campus
Food and Housing$16,456$18,000$16,838$20,62922.5%
Other expenses$2,856$2,990$3,130$3,2905.1%
Off Campus
Food and Housing$16,456$18,000$22,000$23,4006.4%
Other expenses$2,856$2,990$3,130$3,2905.1%
Off Campus with Family
Food and Housing---$12,060 -
Other expenses$2,974$3,000$3,130$3,2905.1%
Total Expenses2021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025% change 2023-2024 to 2024-2025
On Campus$48,698$53,716$54,288$59,90710.4%
Off Campus$48,698$53,716$59,450$62,6785.4%
Off Campus with Family$32,360$35,726$37,450$39,2784.9%
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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 Food and Housing, books and supplies, etc. (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 year2024-2025
Tuition$1,334
Fees$1,210
Alternative Tuition Plans and Promise Program
Type of PlanOffered
Tuition guarantee plan
Prepaid tuition plan
Tuition payment planX
Other alternative tuition plan
  • Participates in a Promise program
open-close Financial Aid
Undergraduate Student Financial Aid, 2023-2024
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 aid11,571100%————
Grant or scholarship aid1,571100%$35,786,938$22,780
Federal grants84954%$5,271,301$6,209
Pell grants84954%$5,085,603$5,990
Other federal grants976%$185,698$1,914
State/local government grant or scholarships66542%$5,173,687$7,780
Institutional grants or scholarships1,571100%$25,341,950$16,131
Student loan aid83453%$6,259,909$7,506
Federal student loans81952%$4,442,057$5,424
Other student loans916%$1,817,852$19,976
  • 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 aid16,01796%$123,768,808$20,570
Pell grants2,91546%$17,015,312$5,837
Federal student loans3,52256%$23,300,854$6,616
Non-degree/non-certificate-seeking
Grant or scholarship aid11530%$188,853$12,590
  • 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.
open-close Net Price
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.
2021-20222022-20232023-2024
Average net price$27,338$29,790$29,473
Full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded Title IV aid by income.
Average net price by Income2021-20222022-20232023-2024
$0 – $30,000$21,045$21,821$20,924
$30,001 – $48,000$21,717$22,285$21,423
$48,001 – $75,000$26,017$27,380$25,590
$75,001 – $110,000$29,536$32,896$31,677
$110,001 and more$31,261$36,054$36,436
  • 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 Food and Housing 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 Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants, Federal Work-Study, Subsidized Direct Loans, and Unsubsidized Direct Loans. 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.
Visit this institution's net price calculator
open-close Enrollment
Fall 2024
Total enrollment5,570
Undergraduate enrollment5,422
Undergraduate transfer-in enrollment416
Graduate enrollment148
Undergraduate Attendance StatusUndergraduate Student Gender
Undergraduate Attendance Status: Full-time: 95% Part-time: 5%Undergraduate Student Gender: Male: 39% Female: 61%
Undergraduate Race/ethnicity
Undergraduate Race/ethnicity: American Indian or Alaska Native: 0% Asian: 4% Black or African American: 19% Hispanic/Latino: 28% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: 0% White: 39% Two or more races: 5% Race/ethnicity unknown: 1% U.S. Nonresident: 4%
Undergraduate Student AgeUndergraduate Student Residence
Undergraduate Student Age: 24 and under: 94% 25 and over: 6% Age unknown: 0%Undergraduate Student Residence: In-state: 54% Out-of-state: 44% Foreign countries: 2% Unknown: 0%
  • Age data are reported for Fall 2023.
  • 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: 34% Not enrolled in any distance education courses: 65%
Graduate Attendance Status
Graduate Attendance Status: Full-time: 82% Part-time: 18%
Graduate Distance Education Status
Graduate Enrollment by Distance Education Status: Enrolled exclusively in distance education courses: 3% Enrolled in some, but not all, distance education courses: 11% Not enrolled in any distance education courses: 85%
open-close Admissions
Undergraduate application fee (2024-2025): $25
Undergraduate Admissions Fall 2024
TotalMaleFemale
Number of applicants7,0792,6513,905
Percent admitted89%87%91%
Percent admitted who enrolled15%17%13%
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
open-close Retention and Graduation Rates
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: 66% Part-time students: 23%
Percentage of Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2023 and Returned in Fall 2024
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, 66 percent of entering students were counted as "full-time, first-time" in 2024.

Overall Graduation and Transfer-Out Rates for Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2018
Overall graduation rate: Overall graduation rate: 52% Transfer-out rate: 28%
Percentage of Full-time, First-Time Students Who Graduated or Transferred Out Within 150% of "Normal Time" to Completion for Their Program
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 2016] 4-year: 40% 6-year: 47% 8-year: 48% [Began in Fall 2018] 4-year: 42% 6-year: 52%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Graduated in the Specified Amount of Time and Began in Fall 2016 or Fall 2018
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: 44% Female: 56%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2018 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: 25% Asian: 65% Black or African American: 34% Hispanic/Latino: 48% White: 58% Two or more races: 41% Race/ethnicity unknown: 44% U.S. Nonresident: 52%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2018 and Received a Degree or Award Within 150% of "Normal Time" to Completion for Their Program
open-close Outcome Measures
  • Alternative measures of student success are reported by degree-granting institutions to describe the outcomes of degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate students who are not only first-time, full-time students, but also part-time attending and non-first-time (transfer-in) students. These measures are also reported for students receiving Pell grants and those students that do not receive Pell grants. These measures provide the 8-year award-completion rates by award level (certificates, associate's and bachelor degrees) after entering an institution. For students who did not earn any undergraduate award after 8-years of entry, the enrollment statuses are reported as either still enrolled at the institution, or subsequently transferred out of the institution. Unlike the Graduation Rates data, all reporting institutions must report on their transfer outs regardless if the institution has a mission that provides substantial transfer preparation.
FULL-TIME, FIRST-TIME DEGREE/CERTIFICATE-SEEKING UNDERGRADUATES WHO ENTERED IN 2016-17
Award and enrollment rate: [All students] Received a Bachelor's degree: 47% Enrolled at same institution: 0% Enrolled at different institution: 31% [Pell] Received a Bachelor's degree: 35% Enrolled at same institution: 1% Enrolled at different institution: 34% [Non-Pell] Received a Bachelor's degree: 54% Enrolled at same institution: 0% Enrolled at different institution: 29%
PART-TIME, FIRST-TIME DEGREE/CERTIFICATE-SEEKING UNDERGRADUATES WHO ENTERED IN 2016-17
Award and enrollment rate: [All students] Received a Bachelor's degree: 12% Enrolled at same institution: 0% Enrolled at different institution: 45% [Pell] Received a Bachelor's degree: 0% Enrolled at same institution: 0% Enrolled at different institution: 57% [Non-Pell] Received a Bachelor's degree: 15% Enrolled at same institution: 0% Enrolled at different institution: 42%
FULL-TIME, NON-FIRST-TIME DEGREE/CERTIFICATE-SEEKING UNDERGRADUATES WHO ENTERED IN 2016-17
Award and enrollment rate: [All students] Received a Bachelor's degree: 71% Enrolled at same institution: 0% Enrolled at different institution: 16% [Pell] Received a Bachelor's degree: 65% Enrolled at same institution: 0% Enrolled at different institution: 19% [Non-Pell] Received a Bachelor's degree: 74% Enrolled at same institution: 0% Enrolled at different institution: 15%
PART-TIME, NON-FIRST-TIME DEGREE/CERTIFICATE-SEEKING UNDERGRADUATES WHO ENTERED IN 2016-17
Award and enrollment rate: [All students] Received a Bachelor's degree: 41% Enrolled at same institution: 1% Enrolled at different institution: 27% [Pell] Received a Bachelor's degree: 45% Enrolled at same institution: 0% Enrolled at different institution: 31% [Non-Pell] Received a Bachelor's degree: 40% Enrolled at same institution: 1% Enrolled at different institution: 26%
open-close Programs/Majors
Completions (Number of awards conferred) 2023-2024
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
Business/Corporate Communications, General--6
Marketing/Marketing Management, General-32-
Retail Management-1-
Category total-336
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Advertising-14-
Communication, General-141
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia-13-
Journalism-260
Photojournalism-7-
Public Relations/Image Management-7-
Radio and Television-22-
Category total-1031
Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects-110-
Recording Arts Technology/Technician-11-
Category total-121-
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer Programming/Programmer, General-8-
Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design-0-
Category total-8-
Education
Early Childhood Education and Teaching-0-
Category total-0-
English Language and Literature/Letters
Creative Writing-3616
English Language and Literature, General-5-
Category total-4116
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Sign Language Interpretation and Translation-9-
Category total-9-
Health Professions and Related Programs
Movement Therapy and Movement Education0-0
Category total0-0
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
General Studies-2-
Category total-2-
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other-160
Category total-160
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
Sport and Fitness Administration/Management-0-
Category total-0-
Physical Sciences
Acoustics-51-
Category total-51-
Visual and Performing Arts
Acting-5813
Art History, Criticism and Conservation-5-
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, General-70
Cinematography and Film/Video Production-2360
Comedy Writing and Performance-26-
Commercial and Advertising Art-0-
Community/Environmental/Socially-Engaged Art-2-
Dance, General-20-
Directing and Theatrical Production-0-
Documentary Production-3-
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General-15-
Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, Other50-
Fashion/Apparel Design-94-
Film/Cinema/Media Studies-020
Fine and Studio Arts Management-1315
Fine Arts and Art Studies, Other-00
Fine/Studio Arts, General-284
Game and Interactive Media Design-45-
Graphic Design-70-
Illustration-55-
Interior Design-290
Intermedia/Multimedia-23
Music Management-390
Music Performance, General-0-
Music Technology-3-
Music Theory and Composition-4-
Music, General-35-
Music, Other-1312
Musical Theatre-31-
Photography-568
Playwriting and Screenwriting-0-
Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology-11-
Theatre/Theatre Arts Management-0-
Category total590075
Grand total51,28998
open-close Servicemembers and Veterans
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, 2023-2024
Number of students receiving benefits/assistance
Number of students receiving benefits/assistance: Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits - undergraduates: 71 Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits - graduates: 3
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: $16,804
  • (*) 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 DEGREES Full-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
open-close Varsity Athletic Teams
  • 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.
open-close Accreditation
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.
open-close Campus Security and Safety
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.
open-close Cohort Default Rates
Three-year Official Cohort Default Rates
Fiscal Year202120202019
Default rate0.0%0.0%1.8%
Number in default0040
Number in repayment2,1092,0302,192
Aid Programs
  • Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan)