Columbia College vs. Purdue Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Purdue University Northwest is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (9,051 students vs. 5,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Purdue University Northwest is in Hammond, Indiana (Large Suburban setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Purdue University Northwest 17:1.

Columbia College vs. Purdue Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Purdue Northwest? 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 Purdue University Northwest than Columbia College ($7,916 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Northwest are 56.8% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($8,907 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 292.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue Northwest (about $25,413 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $8,675.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.8% higher at Columbia College than at Purdue University Northwest (about $17,994 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $16,094.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at Purdue University Northwest (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 225.8% larger than aid received by Purdue University Northwest students ($22,780 vs. $6,992).

Columbia College vs. Purdue Northwest Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPurdue University Northwest 890/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPurdue University Northwest 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Purdue Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027; Purdue Northwest Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Purdue Northwest (3.19).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Purdue Northwest (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 18.3% at Purdue Northwest.

Columbia College vs. Purdue Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Purdue Northwest? 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).

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.