Campus Vibe
Private urban college in Chicago
Columbia College Chicago is a private urban institution in Chicago, Illinois. The school is accessible to a wide range of students.
A mid-sized campus of 6.3K undergraduates with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
48% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $42,195 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $26,788.
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Columbia College Chicago Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
42.7%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$16,500
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
47
Peer Average
37
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Programs (43)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
64%
- •64% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
History & Fun Facts
- •History Columbia College Chicago was founded in 1890 as the Columbia School of Oratory by Mary A.
- •Blood and Riley became the college's first co-presidents, until Riley died in 1901; Blood served in this capacity until she died in 1927.
- •The school ran as a sole proprietary business from 1890 to 1904, when the school became incorporated by the state of Illinois.
- •On May 5, 1904, the school incorporated itself again in order to change its name to the Columbia College of Expression, adding coursework in teaching to the curriculum.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average