Columbia College vs. Orion Technical College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Orion Technical College based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 41 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Orion Technical College is in Davenport, IA (Small City setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Orion Technical College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Orion Technical College 6:1.

Columbia College vs. Orion Technical College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Orion Technical 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 Orion Technical College than Columbia College ($27,001 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Orion Technical College are 46.9% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($10,956 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 118.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Orion Technical College (about $18,488 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $15,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 118.5% higher at Columbia College than at Orion Technical College (about $18,488 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $15,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at Orion Technical College (100% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 374.4% larger than aid received by Orion Technical College students ($22,780 vs. $4,802).

Columbia College vs. Orion Technical College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Orion Technical 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 Orion Technical College and Columbia College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Orion Technical College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.

Columbia College vs. Orion Technical College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Orion Technical 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).

• Graduates from Orion Technical College earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,500 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Orion Technical College graduates have a $16,500 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($9,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Orion Technical College graduates have an estimated $170 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($98 vs. $268).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Orion Technical College students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 33%)

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.