Columbia College Chicago

600 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605

View map for Columbia College Chicago

https://www.colum.edu/
Feature Note
Main telephone 312-369-1000
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Public or private Private
Type of school University
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
County Cook County
Feature Note
Number of full time, freshmen men 578
Number of full time, freshmen women 1,000
Total number of full time freshmen 1,578
Number of part time, freshmen men 12
Number of part time, freshmen women 18
Total number of part time freshmen 30
Total number of freshmen men 590
Total number of freshmen women 1,018
Total number of freshmen 1,608
Number of full time, undergraduate men 2,284
Number of full time, undergraduate women 3,729
Total number of full time undergraduates 6,013
Number of part time, undergraduate men 156
Number of part time, undergraduate women 175
Total number of part time undergraduates 331
Total number of undergraduate males 2,440
Total number of undergraduate females 3,904
Total number of undergraduate students 6,344
Number of male graduate students 84
Number of female graduate students 143
Total number of graduate students 227
Total number of male undergraduate and graduate students 2,524
Total number of female undergraduate and graduate students 4,047
Total enrollment 6,571
American Indian/Alaskan Native Less than 1%
Asian 3%
Black 17%
Hispanic 28%
White 40%
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 44
Percentage of students 25 or older 6%
Feature Note
Tuition year 2024-2025
In-state tuition $32,272
Out-of-state tuition $32,272
Fees $1,510
Books and supplies $1,900
Room and board (live on campus)* $23,400
* Room and board costs may vary by housing facility and number of meals in meal plan
Undergraduate costs are for ... (Costs are for the 2024-2025 academic 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 2022-2023
Average financial aid package awarded to freshmen $24,301
For freshmen, percentage of need* met by aid package 62%
Average amount of financial aid awarded to freshmen
Loan $3,128
Scholarship or grant $22,620
Average financial aid package awarded to undergraduates (including freshmen) $22,312
For all undergraduates, percentage of need* met by aid package 63%
Average amount of financial aid awarded to undergraduates
Loan $4,066
Scholarship or grant $20,021
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 1,467
Number of freshmen who received aid 1,285
Number of undergraduates who applied for aid 5,363
Number of undergraduates who received aid 4,782
Percentage of students who took out loans to pay for school 65%
Average student loan debt for last graduating class $30,128
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 2022-2023 academic year.)
Feature Note
Admissions contact person Derek Brinkley
Admissions contact title Assistant Vice President Undergraduate Admissions
Admissions contact e-mail Email
Admissions phone (local) 312-
Electronic application website Find more information on this website
For incoming students Minimally difficult (about 95% of applicants accepted)
Number of male applicants 2,908
Number of male applicants accepted 2,557
Number of male applicants who enrolled 590
Number of female applicants 4,965
Number of female applicants accepted 4,621
Number of female applicants who enrolled 1,018
Total number of applicants 7,873
Total number of applicants accepted 7,178
Total number of applicants who enrolled 1,608
High school education High school diploma required and GED accepted.
Fall* application deadline August 1
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
Interview Required for some students
Written essay or personal statement Required for all students
Other application materials ACT, SAT, AP, IB scores
Other application materials Required for some students
High school GPA Important
Difficulty of high school courses Important
Standardized test scores Not considered
High school class rank Considered
Recommendations Considered
Application essay Considered
Character/personal qualities Considered
Interview Not considered
Talent or ability Considered
Extracurricular activities Considered
Level of applicant's interest Not considered
Religious affiliation/commitment Not considered
Work experience Not considered
Related to a school graduate Not considered
First generation college student Not 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
Average GPA (on 4.0 scale) 3.5
Percentage in top 50% of their high school class 66%
Percentage in top 25% 33%
Percentage in top 10% 12%
Percentage of freshmen who returned for their sophomore year 64%
Percentage of full-time students who complete their bachelor's degree:
In four years or less 39%
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 815
Student faculty ratio 15:1
Required number of credits for a bachelor's degree 120 credits
All students must meet:
Core curriculum or school-wide requirements Yes
Math or science requirement Yes
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
Advanced Placement Yes
Independent study Yes
International Baccalaureate Yes
Internships Yes
Computers on campus for student use Yes (71)
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 66
Largest clubs and organizations on campus Black Student Union, Student Athletics Association, Columbia Pride, Picture Perfect, Improv Club
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Percentage of students who live on campus 35%
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 options Co-ed
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
Housing availability for single graduate students First come, first served
Feature Note
English as a Second Language (ESL) program 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
Feature Note
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 full time, male graduate students 70
Number of full time, female graduate students 115
Total number of full time graduate students 185
Number of part time, male graduate students 14
Number of part time, female graduate students 28
Total number of part time graduate students 42
Total number of male graduate students 84
Total number of female graduate students 143
Total number of graduate students 227
Number of undergraduate men 2,440
Number of undergraduate women 3,904
Total number of undergraduate students 6,344
Total number of male undergraduate and graduate students 2,524
Total number of female undergraduate and graduate students 4,047
Total enrollment 6,571
Tuition year 2022-2023
In-state tuition* $1,209
Out-of-state tuition* $1,209
Fees $1,176
* Tuition may vary by program
Graduate costs are for ... (Costs are for the 2022-2023 academic 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.