# Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL. Source page: https://www.dreamschool.co/colleges/columbia-college-chicago

Columbia College Chicago is a private nonprofit college in Chicago, IL with 5,368 undergraduates. It admits 90% of applicants. The average net price after aid is $36,529 per year ($32,185 for families earning under $30,000). 47% of students graduate, and graduates earn a median of $48,427 ten years after enrolling.

## Key facts

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Admission rate | 90% (Fall 2024) |
| Testing policy | Test blind (scores not considered) (Fall 2024) |
| Applicants | 7,873 (Fall 2023) |
| Admitted | 7,178 (Fall 2023) |
| SAT Reading & Writing (middle 50%) | — (Fall 2024) |
| SAT Math (middle 50%) | — (Fall 2024) |
| ACT Composite (middle 50%) | — (Fall 2024) |
| Cost of attendance | $58,050 (2024-25) |
| Average net price | $36,529 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $0–30k | $32,185 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $30–48k | $32,183 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $48–75k | $34,435 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $75–110k | $39,200 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $110k+ | $44,486 (2024-25) |
| Undergraduates | 5,368 (Fall 2024) |
| Graduation rate | 47% (Fall 2019) |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $48,427 (2023) |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 (FY2024) |

## What Columbia College Chicago considers in admissions (Fall 2023)

- High school record: Required
- High school GPA: Considered
- College-prep coursework: Considered
- Class rank: Considered
- Essay or personal statement: Considered
- Recommendations: Considered
- Demonstrated competencies: Considered
- Legacy status: Not considered
- Work experience: Considered
- English proficiency test: Required

## FAQ

**What is Columbia College Chicago's acceptance rate?**

Columbia College Chicago admits 90% of applicants, which makes it accessible.

**Is Columbia College Chicago test optional?**

Test blind (scores not considered).

**How many students apply to Columbia College Chicago?**

In Fall 2023, 7,873 students applied to Columbia College Chicago and 7,178 were admitted; 1,608 enrolled.

**Does Columbia College Chicago consider legacy status?**

No. Columbia College Chicago reported that legacy status is not considered in admissions (Fall 2023).

**Does Columbia College Chicago require an essay?**

Columbia College Chicago reported that an essay or personal statement is considered for admission (Fall 2023).

**How much does Columbia College Chicago cost?**

The sticker cost of attendance is $58,050 per year, but the average net price after grants and scholarships is $36,529.

**What is Columbia College Chicago's graduation rate?**

47% of full-time students graduate within 150% of normal time.


## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (Most Recent Institution-Level Data), released 2026-10-15: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- IPEDS Admissions survey (ADM2023): https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/DataFiles.aspx
- IPEDS unit ID 144281. Methodology: https://www.dreamschool.co/methodology