Columbia College Chicago

www.colum.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$32,272

5% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$29,473

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

89.5%

7,079 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

5,570

95.1% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

51.5%

667 Graduates

About

Columbia College Chicago is a higher education institution located in Cook County, IL. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Columbia College Chicago were Cinematography & Film Production (237 degrees awarded), Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, & Special Effects (111 degrees), and Fashion & Apparel Design (94 degrees).

In 2024, 1,410 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Columbia College Chicago. 63% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 37% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (685 degrees), 2.01 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (341 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Columbia College Chicago is $32,272, which is $8,272 more than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Columbia College Chicago is $32,272, which is $8,272 more than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $29,473.

In 2024, 95% of undergraduate students attending Columbia College Chicago received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 56% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$32,272

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Columbia College Chicago was $32,272. The cost of tuition at Columbia College Chicago is $8,272 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Columbia College Chicago (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$29,473

2024 Value

1.06%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 Columbia College Chicago had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $29,473. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Columbia College Chicago grew by 1.06%.

This chart compares the average net price of Columbia College Chicago (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$19,419

Room and Board

$1,800

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Columbia College Chicago was of $19,419 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 7.88% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,800. The cost of books and supplies increased by 5.88% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Columbia College Chicago (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

95%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

56%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

95% of undergraduate students at Columbia College Chicago received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 1.06% with respect to 2023, when 94% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Columbia College Chicago (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

Columbia College Chicago received 7,079 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 10.1% annual growth. Out of those 7,079 applicants, 6,333 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 89.5% acceptance rate.

There were 5,570 students enrolled at Columbia College Chicago in 2024.

Columbia College Chicago has an overall enrollment yield of 15.1%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

89.5%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

6,333

Accepted Out of 7,079

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Columbia College Chicago was 89.5% (6,333 admissions from 7,079 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 91.2%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants declined by 10.1%, while admissions declined by 11.8%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Columbia College Chicago (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

Enrollment

Columbia College Chicago had a total enrollment of 5,570 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Columbia College Chicago is 5,295 students and the part-time enrollment is 275. This means that 95.1% of students enrolled at Columbia College Chicago are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Columbia College Chicago, both undergraduate and graduate, is 39.1% White, 27.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Black or African American, 4.69% Two or More Races, 3.61% Asian, 0.251% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0359% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Columbia College Chicago in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (24.3%), followed by Hispanic or Latino Female (17.4%) and White Male (15.8%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (18.5%), followed by White Male (17.3%) and Black or African American Female (13%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

95.1%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Columbia College Chicago in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 5,570 students. The full-time enrollment at Columbia College Chicago is 5,295 and the part-time enrollment is 275. This means that 95.1% of students enrolled at Columbia College Chicago are enrolled full-time compared with 67.1% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Columbia College Chicago (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

66%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Columbia College Chicago was 66%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (73%), Columbia College Chicago had a retention rate lower than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Columbia College Chicago (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
2,177 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
1,539 enrolled students
Black or African American
1,042 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Columbia College Chicago is 39.1% White, 27.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Black or African American, 4.69% Two or More Races, 3.61% Asian, 0.251% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0359% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Masters Colleges and Universities is 47.4% White, 18.8% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.6% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 52 students (0.934%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 368 more women than men received degrees from Columbia College Chicago. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Columbia College Chicago is white (685 degrees awarded). There were 2.01 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (341 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Columbia College Chicago is Cinematography & Film Production (237 degrees awarded), followed by Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, & Special Effects (111 degrees) and Fashion & Apparel Design (94 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Columbia College Chicago, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Communication Technologies (122 degrees awarded), Visual & Performing Arts (989 degrees), and English (57 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Other managers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Columbia College Chicago are Other managers (331,475 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (248,244 people), Postsecondary teachers (224,468 people), Secondary school teachers (173,708 people), and Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (150,780 people).

The most specialized majors at Columbia College Chicago in 2024 are Communication Technologies (122 degrees awarded), Visual & Performing Arts (989 degrees), English (57 degrees), Physical Sciences (51 degrees), and Communications (108 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Columbia College Chicago are Surgeons, Agents & business managers of artists, performers, & athletes, Physicians, Chief executives & legislators, and Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents

The most specialized majors at Columbia College Chicago are Communication Technologies (122 degrees awarded), Visual & Performing Arts (989 degrees), English (57 degrees), Physical Sciences (51 degrees), and Communications (108 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Columbia College Chicago are Elementary & secondary schools (631,240 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (524,734 people), Computer Systems Design (310,975 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (227,308 people), and Management, scientific & technical consulting services (174,580 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Columbia College Chicago.

Most Common (2024)

Cinematography & Film Production
237 degrees awarded
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, & Special Effects
111 degrees awarded
Fashion & Apparel Design
94 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Columbia College Chicago was Cinematography & Film Production with 237 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Columbia College Chicago according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

521

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

889

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 521 degrees were awarded to men at Columbia College Chicago, which is 0.586 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (889).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Columbia College Chicago by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 120 degrees were awarded to men at Columbia College Chicago in Cinematography & Film Production, which is 1.03 times more than the 117 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 117 degrees were awarded to men at Columbia College Chicago in Cinematography & Film Production, which is 0.975 times less than the 120 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

40%

100% Completion Time

47%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 40% of students graduating from Columbia College Chicago completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 47% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 48% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
685 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
341 degrees awarded
Black or African American
184 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Columbia College Chicago is white (685 degrees awarded). There were 2.01 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (341 degrees).

1.13% of degree recipients (16 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Female
972 degrees awarded
White Female
761 degrees awarded
White Male
758 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Columbia College Chicago is white female (972 degrees awarded). There were 1.28 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (761 degrees).

Operations

Columbia College Chicago has an endowment valued at nearly $192M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 28M (14.6%) compared to the 9.2% average return (4.22M on 45.9M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2024, Columbia College Chicago had a total salary expenditure of 185M. Columbia College Chicago employs 94 Associate professors, 64 Lecturers and 40 Professors. Most academics at Columbia College Chicago are Male Associate professor (53), Female Associate professor (41), and Male Lecturer (36).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Columbia College Chicago are: Management, with 100 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 97 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 50 employees.

Endowment

$192M

2024 Endowment

4.89%

decline from 2023

Columbia College Chicago has an endowment valued at about $192M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Columbia College Chicago declined 4.89% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $146M higher than than the median endowment of Masters Colleges and Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Columbia College Chicago (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$1.06M - Federal
$59.2k - State
$80k - Local

As of 2024, Columbia College Chicago received $1.06M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $59.2k from state grants and contracts, and $80k from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$77.4M

2024 Salaries

0.985%

growth from 2023

In 2024, Columbia College Chicago paid a median of $77.4M in salaries, which represents 41.9% of their overall expenditure ($185M) and a 0.985% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 0.465% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 4.07% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$18.6M

Instructional Salaries

222

Number of Employees

In 2024, Columbia College Chicago paid a total of $18.6M to 222 employees working as instructors, which represents 24.1% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $965k (3.13%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Columbia College Chicago were Management with 100 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 97 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 50 employees.

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