About Columbia College Chicago
Creative fields dominate at this Chicago arts college where 6,294 students pursue careers in film, theater, music, and media arts. The school has produced notable alumni including rapper Kanye West and actor Joe Mantegna. Students work in downtown Chicago's cultural district with access to professional studios and performance spaces. With a 95% acceptance rate, the school welcomes most applicants who show creative passion.
Students pay an average net price of $26,788 after financial aid, though this varies by family income. Recent graduates earn a median of $42,195 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt loads of $25,000. The monthly loan payment averages $265. These numbers reflect the reality of creative careers, where financial success often builds gradually over time.
The student body is 61% women and diverse, with 47% students of color. Only 48% of students graduate within six years, a rate that reflects both the challenges of creative programs and industry pressures to start working before completing degrees. The 64% retention rate suggests some students transfer or leave to pursue opportunities. With a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, classes stay small enough for personalized artistic mentoring.
Students pay an average net price of $26,788 after financial aid, though this varies by family income. Recent graduates earn a median of $42,195 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt loads of $25,000. The monthly loan payment averages $265. These numbers reflect the reality of creative careers, where financial success often builds gradually over time.
The student body is 61% women and diverse, with 47% students of color. Only 48% of students graduate within six years, a rate that reflects both the challenges of creative programs and industry pressures to start working before completing degrees. The 64% retention rate suggests some students transfer or leave to pursue opportunities. With a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, classes stay small enough for personalized artistic mentoring.
Academics & Faculty
Columbia College Chicago specializes in creative fields, offering programs in film, television, theater, music, and media arts rather than traditional liberal arts. The school accepts 94.77% of applicants, reflecting its focus on nurturing artistic potential over academic exclusivity. Students work closely with faculty in a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, getting hands-on training in professional-grade facilities. However, the 48.50% six-year graduation rate suggests the demanding creative curriculum and industry pressures challenge many students. The college is particularly well-known for its film school, which has produced notable alumni like directors and industry professionals. Students here pursue portfolio-based learning rather than traditional academic tracks.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 30.3%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 47.8%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 48.5%
- Retention Rate
- 64.0%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $42,195
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Medium)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Master | $41,789 |
| Movement and Mind-Body Therapies and Education. | Master | $41,565 |
| Journalism. | Master | $41,025 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $40,355 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management. | Master | $38,289 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $36,124 |
| American Sign Language. | Bachelor | $35,330 |
| Graphic Communications. | Bachelor | $33,993 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Master | $33,993 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies. | Bachelor | $31,527 |
Campus Life
Columbia College Chicago plants students directly in downtown Chicago, where campus buildings blend into the city's South Loop neighborhood. With only 2,158 housing spots for 6,294 students, about two-thirds live off campus in nearby apartments or commute from around the city. The urban setting means no traditional quad or enclosed campus, but students treat Michigan Avenue and Grant Park as their backyard.
Chicago winters demand heavy coats and boots from November through March, while summers hit the 80s with humidity. Students spend weekends at film screenings in the Loop, checking out live music venues, or working on creative projects in the college's 24-hour labs. The 61.53% female student body reflects the college's strength in fields like fashion, theater, and film production. Coffee shops become second homes for editing sessions and script readings. With a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, professors often work as practicing artists themselves. The creative energy peaks during semester showcases when students tope films, perform original music, and display photography across downtown venues.
Chicago winters demand heavy coats and boots from November through March, while summers hit the 80s with humidity. Students spend weekends at film screenings in the Loop, checking out live music venues, or working on creative projects in the college's 24-hour labs. The 61.53% female student body reflects the college's strength in fields like fashion, theater, and film production. Coffee shops become second homes for editing sessions and script readings. With a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, professors often work as practicing artists themselves. The creative energy peaks during semester showcases when students tope films, perform original music, and display photography across downtown venues.
- Setting
- City-Large
- Housing Capacity
- 2,158 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1890
Campus Safety (2023)
71 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dating Violence | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| Rape | 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Stalking | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Robbery | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Domestic Violence | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Burglary | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 19°–32°F
- July Avg
- 69°–83°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 0.0"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
Creative students from across the Midwest flock to this South Loop arts haven, with just over half coming from Illinois itself. The student body skews female, reflecting the school's strength in fields like theater, dance, and media arts where women often dominate enrollment. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, making this one of the more accessible private arts colleges for working-class creatives. The diverse mix includes significant Black and Hispanic populations, creating a active cultural environment that fuels the school's reputation for groundbreaking work in hip-hop, urban arts, and contemporary media.
- Men
- 38.5%
- Women
- 61.5%
- White
- 40.7%
- Black
- 17.7%
- Hispanic
- 28.8%
- Asian
- 3.5%
- In-State Students
- 54.3%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 43.2%
Location
Columbia College Chicago sits in the heart of downtown Chicago, Illinois. The campus occupies multiple buildings in the South Loop neighborhood, just blocks from Grant Park and Lake Michigan. Students live and study in one of America's third-largest cities, home to 2.7 million people. The urban setting provides endless internship opportunities in media, entertainment, and the arts. Chicago's legendary music scene spans from blues clubs to indie venues. The college draws students from across the Midwest, with 54.27% coming from Illinois. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, but the city's cultural offerings never stop. Students considering colleges in Illinois may also compare Columbia College Chicago with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Chicago, Illinois 60605-1996
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $42,195
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $41,854
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $29,500
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 45.8%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $265/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $25,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Columbia College Chicago?
Columbia College Chicago accepts 94.77% of applicants, making it highly accessible to prospective students. This selective arts school focuses more on creative portfolio and passion than test scores alone.
How much does Columbia College Chicago cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $26,788 annually, with 43.18% receiving some form of financial aid. The total cost of attendance reaches $51,158, but institutional grants averaging $17,509 help make this specialized arts education more affordable.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Columbia College Chicago?
The school maintains a 15:1 student-faculty ratio across its creative programs. Columbia College Chicago specializes in hands-on arts education including film, theater, music, and media arts where small class sizes are essential.
What are the graduation rates at Columbia College Chicago?
The six-year graduation rate stands at 48.50%, with graduates earning a median salary of $42,195 ten years after enrollment. This arts-focused institution has produced notable alumni including Kanye West, Joe Mantegna, and Janelle Monáe.
Where is Columbia College Chicago located and what is campus life like?
The college sits in downtown Chicago with housing capacity for 2,158 students in the heart of the city. Students have direct access to Chicago's active arts scene, theaters, and media industry connections that enhance their creative education.
Does Columbia College Chicago have good employment outcomes for arts graduates?
The employment rate reaches 92.6%, though recent graduates start with median earnings of $24,908 in their first year. This reflects the typical entry-level nature of creative industries, where career growth often comes through building portfolios and industry connections.
