Columbia College vs. Central College

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Central College in Pella, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Central College is in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Central College 11:1.

Columbia College vs. Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Central College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central College than Columbia College ($23,848 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 41.5% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($12,060 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 62.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $13,100 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.4% higher at Columbia College than at Central College (about $13,100 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as at Central College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 63.6% larger than aid received by Central College students ($22,780 vs. $13,925).

Columbia College vs. Central College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Central College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Central College and Columbia College.

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCentral College 1056/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCentral College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Central College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Columbia College (3.41).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 21% at Central College.

Columbia College vs. Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Central College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Central College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College Chicago graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.