Columbia College Chicago

Cost

What families actually payAverage yearly cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are subtracted. Calculated only for full-time, first-time undergraduates who receive federal student aid; at a public college, only those paying in-state tuition.

$36,5292024–25

Tuition and fees, in-statePublished tuition and required fees for one year, for a student from this state. The federal file reports tuition and fees as one figure.

$37,3442025–26

Tuition and fees, out-of-statePublished tuition and required fees for one year, for a student from another state. The federal file reports tuition and fees as one figure.

$37,3442025–26

Room and board on campusThe school's published yearly cost of living and eating on campus, as one figure. Not reported by schools without campus housing.

$20,4292025–26

Cost of attendanceAverage yearly cost of attending: tuition and fees, books and supplies, and living expenses. Calculated for full-time, first-time undergraduates who receive federal student aid.

$58,0502024–25

What families actually pay, by family income

• Family income up to $30,000$32,185
• $30,001 to $48,000$32,183
• $48,001 to $75,000$34,435
• $75,001 to $110,000$39,200
• Over $110,000$44,486

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, released November 2, 2026.

Getting in

Admission rateThe share of applicants who were admitted.

89%Fall 2024

Admission test scoresWhether the school requires, recommends or considers SAT or ACT scores for admission.

Neither required nor recommendedFall 2024

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, released November 2, 2026.

Who finishes

Graduation rateThe share of full-time, first-time students who finished a degree or certificate at this school within 150 percent of the normal time (six years for a bachelor's degree, three for an associate degree). Part-time and transfer students are not counted. Four-year measure.

47%Students who started in 2019

Award within eight years, all studentsThe share of all entering students, including part-time and transfer students, who received a degree or certificate from this school within eight years. A different group of students from the graduation rate, from a different starting year.

55%Students who started in 2017

Retention rateThe share of full-time, first-time students who were enrolled at this school again the following fall.

66%Students who started in 2023

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, released November 2, 2026.

What students study here

• Visual And Performing Arts · bachelor’s offered74%
• Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs · bachelor’s offered7%
• Communications Technologies/Technicians And Support Services · bachelor’s offered6%
• English Language And Literature/Letters · bachelor’s offered5%
• Physical Sciences · bachelor’s offered3%
• Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services · bachelor’s offered3%
• Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics · bachelor’s offered1%
• Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies · bachelor’s offeredUnder 1%
• Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, And Group Studies · bachelor’s offeredUnder 1%
• Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services · bachelor’s offeredUnder 1%
• Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities · bachelor’s offeredUnder 1%

Share of this college’s degrees and certificates in each field, 2024–25. Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard.