Columbia College vs. Clarke University

Should I go to Columbia College Chicago or Clarke University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbia College or Clarke University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Columbia College Chicago vs. Clarke University comparison
Columbia College Chicago Clarke University College 3 College 4
Columbia College Chicago
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Overview

Columbia College Clarke University
Location Chicago, IL Dubuque, IA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 6,646 965
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu clarke.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Clarke University
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $36,900
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $36,900
Room & Board $18,000 $10,600
Avg Net Price $28,387 $27,275
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $25,403
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Columbia College Clarke University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 2,665
Admitted 7,298 2,260
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 84.8%
Enrolled % 22%Open 8.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23
SAT Range 920/1160
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2024

Academics

Columbia College Clarke University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Human Services (6%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Clarke University
Graduation Rate 41% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $42,800
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $268

Diversity

Columbia College Clarke University
% Men 40% 51%
% Women 60% 49%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 55% 85%
% Black 15% 4%
% Hispanic 11% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Columbia College Clarke University
% In-State 57% 25%
% Out-of-State 40% 65%

Campus

Columbia College Clarke University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College Chicago is larger than than Clarke University based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 965 students)

Columbia College vs. Clarke University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Clarke University?

  • Clarke University is 26.1% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($36,900.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 26.1% higher at Clarke University than Columbia College Chicago ($36,900.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Clarke University than Columbia College ($27,275 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarke University are 69.8% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($10,600 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clarke University than Columbia College Chicago (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarke University students is 41% larger than aid received Columbia College Chicago ($25,403 vs. $18,020)

Columbia College vs. Clarke University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Clarke University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Clarke University or Columbia College .

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Clarke University (3.36)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Clarke University (84.8%)

Columbia College vs. Clarke University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or Clarke University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Clarke University and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Clarke University is higher than Columbia College Chicago (60% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Clarke University earn on average $5,500 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($42,800 vs. $37,300)
  • Clarke University and Columbia College graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($26,000 vs. $26,000)
  • Clarke University and Columbia College graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($268 vs. $268)
  • More Clarke University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/