Columbia College Chicago

600 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605

View map for Columbia College Chicago

https://www.colum.edu/
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Main telephone 312-369-1000
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Public or private Private
Type of school 4-year college
Date founded 1890
Degrees offered Bachelor's, Master's
School accreditation North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Setting Urban (in a large city)
Closest major metropolitan area Chicago
Feature Note
Number of full time, freshmen men 382
Number of full time, freshmen women 559
Total number of full time freshmen 944
Number of part time, freshmen men 9
Number of part time, freshmen women 6
Total number of part time freshmen 15
Total number of freshmen men 391
Total number of freshmen women 565
Total number of freshmen 959
Number of full time, undergraduate men 1,972
Number of full time, undergraduate women 3,198
Total number of full time undergraduates 5,174
Number of part time, undergraduate men 118
Number of part time, undergraduate women 129
Total number of part time undergraduates 248
Total number of undergraduate males 2,090
Total number of undergraduate females 3,327
Total number of undergraduate students 5,422
Total enrollment 5,422
American Indian/Alaskan Native Less than 1%
Asian 3%
Black 18%
Hispanic 28%
White 39%
Race/ethnicity unknown Less than 1%
These figures reflect responses of people who chose to indicate their racial-ethnic background. All categories except Hispanic represent non-Hispanic students. International students are not included in these figures so they may not add up to 100 percent.
Percentage of students from out of state 38%
Number of states and territories represented 51
Percentage of students from outside the US 3%
Number of countries represented 46
Percentage of students 25 or older 7%
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Tuition year 2025-2026
Full time costs are based on x units per year 30 credits
In-state tuition $33,886
Out-of-state tuition $33,886
Fees $1,846
Books and supplies $1,950
Room and board (live on campus)* $22,848
* Room and board costs may vary by housing facility and number of meals in meal plan
Academic program/major Yes
Installment plan (you can pay tuition in several payments over the course of the term) Yes
School employees and their children Yes
Undergraduate costs are for ... (Costs are for the 2025-2026 academic year. Full-time costs are based on 30 credits per year.)
Feature Note
Submit these forms FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), state financial aid form
Application deadline (for fall term) June 30
School year financial aid data is from 2023-2024
Average financial aid package awarded to freshmen $26,523
For freshmen, percentage of need* met by aid package 57%
Average amount of financial aid awarded to freshmen
Loan $3,192
Scholarship or grant $24,748
Average financial aid package awarded to undergraduates (including freshmen) $24,250
For all undergraduates, percentage of need* met by aid package 57%
Average amount of financial aid awarded to undergraduates
Loan $4,144
Scholarship or grant $21,856
Work study $4,130
* "Need" as defined for financial aid results from a formula based on a student's situation. The formula considers family and student income, family size, unusual expenses, and the school's costs.
Number of freshmen who applied for aid 1,492
Number of freshmen who received aid 1,333
Number of undergraduates who applied for aid 5,334
Number of undergraduates who received aid 4,841
Percentage of students who took out loans to pay for school 65%
Average student loan debt for last graduating class $32,621
Loans
Federal PLUS loans (for parents) Yes
Federal Direct Stafford loans (subsidized) Yes
Federal Direct Stafford loans (unsubsidized) Yes
Need-based scholarships and grants
Federal Pell Grants Yes
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Yes
Privately-sponsored scholarships and grants Yes
State-sponsored scholarships and grants Yes
Merit-based scholarships and grants
School-sponsored scholarships in academics Yes
School-sponsored scholarships in art Yes
School-sponsored scholarships in special achievements Yes
School-sponsored scholarships for special characteristics Yes
Student employment
Work study Yes
Non-proprietary financial aid data are from ... (Financial aid data are for the 2023-2024 academic year.)
Feature Note
Admissions contact person Derek Brinkley
Admissions contact title Assistant Vice President Undergraduate Admissions
Admissions contact e-mail Email
Electronic application website Find more information on this website
For incoming students Minimally difficult (about 95% of applicants accepted)
Number of male applicants 3,137
Number of male applicants accepted 2,328
Number of male applicants who enrolled 391
Number of female applicants 5,238
Number of female applicants accepted 3,994
Number of female applicants who enrolled 565
Total number of applicants 8,375
Total number of applicants accepted 6,322
Total number of applicants who enrolled 956
High school education High school diploma required and GED accepted.
Fall* application deadline Continuous
Notification date for fall admission applicants Continuous
Fall transfer application deadline Continuous
Notification date for fall transfer applicants Continuous
* Application dates for winter, spring, or summer term admission are likely to be different.
Online application available Find more information on this website
Application fee $25
Submit these items:
High school transcript or GED certificate Required for all students
Written essay or personal statement Recommended, but not required
High school GPA Considered
Difficulty of high school courses Considered
Standardized test scores Considered
High school class rank Considered
Recommendations Considered
Application essay Considered
Character/personal qualities Considered
Interview Considered
Talent or ability Considered
Extracurricular activities Considered
Level of applicant's interest Considered
Religious affiliation/commitment Considered
Work experience Considered
Related to a school graduate Considered
First generation college student Considered
Racial/ethnic group Considered
Accepted students can defer admission for a period of time Yes
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) general Yes
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) subject Yes
Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) Yes
Age limit on courses to be transferred No limit
Average GPA (on 4.0 scale) 3.52
Percentage in top 50% of their high school class 68%
Percentage in top 25% 37%
Percentage in top 10% 15%
Percentage of freshmen who returned for their sophomore year 66%
Percentage of full-time students who complete their bachelor's degree:
In four years or less 41%
Between four and five years 7%
Between five and six years 2%
Feature Note
Bachelor's Yes
Master's Yes
Academic calendar Semesters
Number of faculty on campus 615
Student faculty ratio 15:1
Required number of credits for a bachelor's degree 120
All students must meet:
Core curriculum or school-wide requirements Yes
Math or science requirement Yes
Senior project requirement Depends on major
Evenings Yes
On-line/distance learning Yes
Part time Yes
Summer school Yes
Weekends Yes
Double major Yes
Honors program Yes
Student-designed major Yes
At these US schools or through this program Semester in L.A., Comedy Studies at The Second City
Study abroad available Yes
Army ROTC Yes
Air Force ROTC Yes
Naval ROTC Yes
Independent study Yes
International Baccalaureate Yes
Internships Yes
Computers on campus for student use Yes (70)
Computer lab available to students Yes
Computer network can be accessed from dorm rooms Yes
Computer network can be accessed from off campus Yes
Online registration for classes Yes
Main library name Columbia College Chicago Library
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Choral groups Yes
Drama or theater groups Yes
Newspaper Yes
Radio station Yes
TV station Yes
Number of student clubs and associations with open membership 80
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Percentage of students who live on campus 34%
Percentage of students on campus on a typical weekend 33%
School owns or operates housing Yes
Highest year that students are required to live on campus Not required
Housing availability for first year students No special consideration
Housing is available for students with disabilities Yes
Dorms require a key or code to enter Yes
School owns or operates housing for Single graduate students
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English as a Second Language (ESL) program Yes
Remedial education courses Yes
Health clinic Yes
Low-cost health insurance Yes
Psychological counseling Yes
Orientation Yes
Housing Yes
Services for students with learning disabilities Yes
24-hour emergency phone and alarms on campus Yes
Campus patrolled by trained security personnel Yes
Late night transport service Yes
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Alumni networking and mentoring Yes
Career counseling Yes
Career interest testing Yes
Career library Yes
Job bank Yes
Job fairs Yes
Job interviews Yes
Job interview preparation Yes
On campus recruitment by employers Yes
Résumé preparation assistance Yes
Feature Note
Grad admissions contact person Sean Sullivan
Grad admissions contact title Administrative Assistant
Grad admissions contact e-mail address Email
Grad admissions contact phone (local) 312-
Number of undergraduate men 2,090
Number of undergraduate women 3,327
Total number of undergraduate students 5,417
Total enrollment 5,422
Tuition year 2023-2024
Full time costs are based on x units per year 18 credit hours
In-state tuition* $30,480
Out-of-state tuition* $30,480
Fees $1,194
* Tuition may vary by program
Graduate costs are for ... (Costs are for the 2023-2024 academic year. Full-time costs are based on 18 credit hours per year.)
Source: Illinois Career Information System (CIS) brought to you by Illinois Department of Employment Security. If you have questions or concerns about the information displaying please contact Illinois Career Information System.