Cost Details
- In-State Tuition
- $32,520
- Out-of-State Tuition
- $32,520
- Average Net Price
- $26,788
- Students Receiving Financial Aid
- 43.2%
- Room & Board (On Campus)
- $16,838
- Room & Board (Off Campus)
- $22,000
- Books & Supplies
- $1,800
- Total Cost of Attendance
- $51,158
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $25,000
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $265/mo
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 45.8%
- Students Taking Federal Loans
- 57.3%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 43.2%
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships. Source: U.S. Department of Education
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 – $30,000 | $21,821 |
| $30,001 – $48,000 | $22,285 |
| $48,001 – $75,000 | $27,380 |
| $75,001 – $110,000 | $32,896 |
| $110,001+ | $36,054 |
Cost Estimator
Cost Overview
Most families pay far less than Columbia's $51,158 sticker price. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $21,821 after aid, while those from $110,000+ households pay $36,054. The average net price sits at $26,788. Over four years, expect total costs between $87,284 and $144,216 depending on your family's income.
Columbia operates more like an open-enrollment arts program than a selective college, with a 95% acceptance rate. Nearly half of graduates carry $25,000 in debt, translating to $265 monthly payments after graduation. That's manageable against the $42,195 median earnings ten years out, but tighter in the early career phase when graduates earn $24,908. Only 26% receive institutional grants averaging $17,509.
Students from lower-income families get the strongest value here, paying roughly half what wealthy families pay for the same creative education.
Columbia operates more like an open-enrollment arts program than a selective college, with a 95% acceptance rate. Nearly half of graduates carry $25,000 in debt, translating to $265 monthly payments after graduation. That's manageable against the $42,195 median earnings ten years out, but tighter in the early career phase when graduates earn $24,908. Only 26% receive institutional grants averaging $17,509.
Students from lower-income families get the strongest value here, paying roughly half what wealthy families pay for the same creative education.
Official Net Price Calculator
Get a personalized cost estimate from Columbia College Chicago:
Visit Official Net Price CalculatorThis links to the school's federally-required net price calculator for a personalized estimate.