Columbia College vs. CU

Columbia College Chicago and Cumberland University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Columbia College Chicago
Cumberland University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CU (67.3% admitted vs 89.5%). Typical SAT N/A vs N/A.
  • Cheaper after aid: CU. Average net price is $18,499 vs $29,473 at Columbia College.
  • Graduation: Columbia College 41% vs CU 34%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Columbia College $37,300 vs CU $39,900 (median).
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Key differences

Columbia College Chicago Cumberland University
Acceptance rate
CU more selective
Columbia College89.5%
CU67.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Columbia College-
CU-
Average net price
CU $10,974 less
Columbia College$29,473
CU$18,499
In-state tuition
CU $6,248 less
Columbia College$34,088
CU$27,840
Out-of-state tuition
CU $6,248 less
Columbia College$34,088
CU$27,840
Graduation rate
Columbia College +7 pts
Columbia College41%
CU34%
Median earnings (10 years)
CU +$2,600
Columbia College$37,300
CU$39,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Columbia College 7,079
  • CU 2,495
  • Admitted
  • Columbia College 6,333
  • CU 1,680
  • Acceptance rate
  • Columbia College 89.5% Open
  • CU 67.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Columbia College 15.1% Open
  • CU 40.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Columbia College
  • CU
  • Typical ACT score
  • Columbia College
  • CU
  • Average high school GPA
  • Columbia College 3.41
  • CU 3.3
  • Typical high school grades
  • Columbia College B+
  • CU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Columbia College Unavailable
  • CU Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • Columbia College
  • CU Low
  • SAT range
  • Columbia College
  • CU
  • ACT range
  • Columbia College
  • CU
  • Submit test scores
  • Columbia College Open admission
  • CU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Columbia College Aug 1, 2027
  • CU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Columbia College $34,088
  • CU $27,840
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Columbia College $34,088
  • CU $27,840
  • Room & board
  • Columbia College $20,629
  • CU $12,800
  • Average net price
  • Columbia College $29,473
  • CU $18,499
  • Average grant aid
  • Columbia College $22,780
  • CU $24,703
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Columbia College 100%
  • CU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Columbia College 41%
  • CU 34%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Columbia College $37,300
  • CU $39,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Columbia College 46%
  • CU 60%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Columbia College $26,000
  • CU $21,729
  • Median loan payment
  • Columbia College $268
  • CU $224
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Columbia College 15:1
  • CU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Columbia College
    • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Communications Technology (6%)
    • English and Literature (5%)
  • CU
    • Health Professions (46%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Biology (4%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (4%)
  • Location
  • Columbia College Chicago, IL
  • CU Lebanon, TN
  • Setting
  • Columbia College Large City
  • CU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Columbia College 5,570
  • CU 3,457
  • Type
  • Columbia College Private 4 Year
  • CU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Columbia College
  • CU

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 3,457 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
  • Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cumberland University are 38% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($12,800 vs. $20,629).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 22.4% higher at Columbia College than at Cumberland University (about $6,248 more per year; $34,088 vs. $27,840).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as at Cumberland University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 8.4% larger than aid received by Columbia College Chicago students ($24,703 vs. $22,780).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are open admission at Columbia College, test-free at CU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Columbia College average a 3.41 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at CU (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 40.5% at CU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $4,271 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($21,729 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($224 vs. $268).
  • More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation (60% vs. 46%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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