Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (C+) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 48%
Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Columbia College Chicago, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 59% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 9th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (IL wage index 1.04). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Columbia College Chicago
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $39,794 | $66,798 | +5% | #61 of 178 | #79 | $24,225 |
| Marketing | $36,386 | $65,686 | -5% | #280 of 516 | #329 | $25,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,798 | $56,482 | -17% | #920 of 1176 | #995 | $27,000 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $24,191 | $54,357 | +8% | #53 of 158 | #55 | $23,400 |
| Journalism | $31,369 | $51,639 | -8% | #126 of 187 | #137 | $24,525 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | $23,844 | $50,592 | +5% | #17 of 43 | #22 | $25,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | $25,999 | $49,593 | -11% | #158 of 207 | #166 | $26,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $29,630 | $48,601 | -6% | #191 of 299 | #203 | $24,500 |
| American Sign Language | $33,775 | $45,619 | +1% | #10 of 20 | #10 | $26,000 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | — | $44,703 | -14% | #90 of 103 | #84 | — |
| Graphic Communications | $26,309 | $43,970 | +2% | #29 of 59 | #32 | $20,000 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | $20,927 | $43,731 | -3% | #16 of 19 | #15 | $26,250 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $22,765 | $42,176 | +2% | #194 of 423 | #217 | $25,000 |
| Dance | — | $41,842 | +5% | #26 of 58 | #28 | $27,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $23,905 | $41,200 | -6% | #102 of 144 | #105 | $25,000 |
| Music | $19,943 | $40,734 | -5% | #174 of 268 | #186 | $25,625 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $17,929 | $39,986 | +1% | #130 of 255 | #136 | $25,500 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $25,060 | $39,751 | -18% | #116 of 137 | #114 | $27,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The Columbia College Chicago Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $346,917
- Avg rent near campus: $2,735/mo
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 60602 (6.8% cap, Chicago)
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🏆 Where Columbia College Chicago Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $30,734 | $30,734 |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $54,288 | $54,288 |
Financial Aid
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Columbia College Chicago's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Columbia College Chicago?
How much does it cost to attend Columbia College Chicago?
What is the graduation rate at Columbia College Chicago?
Is Columbia College Chicago a good school?
- Outcomes (C+): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (F): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (D): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Columbia College Chicago?
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Columbia College Chicago — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to Columbia College Chicago
Compare with other 4-Year private non-profit institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology