Columbia College vs. Milikin

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Millikin University in Decatur, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Milikin based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 1,586 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Millikin University is in Decatur, IL (Small City setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Millikin University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Millikin University 10:1.

Columbia College vs. Milikin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Milikin? 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 Millikin University than Columbia College ($22,813 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Millikin University are 33.6% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($13,695 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 26.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Milikin (about $7,196 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $26,892.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.8% higher at Columbia College than at Millikin University (about $7,196 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $26,892.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as at Millikin University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Millikin University students is 52.5% larger than aid received by Columbia College Chicago students ($34,733 vs. $22,780).

Columbia College vs. Milikin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Milikin? 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 Milikin and Columbia College.

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMillikin University 860/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMillikin University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Milikin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Milikin (3.4).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Milikin (66.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 10% at Milikin.

Columbia College vs. Milikin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Milikin? 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).

• Millikin University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from Millikin University earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,100 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 Milikin graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Milikin graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Milikin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.