Columbia College vs. Rockford University

Should I go to Columbia College Chicago or Rockford University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbia College or Rockford 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. Rockford University comparison
Columbia College Chicago Rockford University College 3 College 4
Columbia College Chicago
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Overview

Columbia College Rockford University
Location Chicago, IL Rockford, IL
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 6,646 1,181
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #810
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu rockford.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Rockford University
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $34,750
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $34,750
Room & Board $18,000 $10,410
Avg Net Price $28,387 $25,047
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $21,056
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 95%

Admission

Columbia College Rockford University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 2,779
Admitted 7,298 1,526
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 54.9%
Enrolled % 22%Open 11%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.25
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 12/20
SAT Range 840/1086
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 Rockford University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (28%)
  • Education (27%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Rockford University
Graduation Rate 41% 31%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $258

Diversity

Columbia College Rockford University
% Men 40% 45%
% Women 60% 55%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 55% 67%
% Black 15% 9%
% Hispanic 11% 14%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 5%

Students

Columbia College Rockford University
% In-State 57% 70%
% Out-of-State 40% 26%

Campus

Columbia College Rockford 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 Rockford University based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 1,181 students)

Columbia College vs. Rockford University Cost Comparison

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

  • Rockford University is 18.7% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($34,750.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 18.7% higher at Rockford University than Columbia College Chicago ($34,750.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rockford University than Columbia College ($25,047 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rockford University are 72.9% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($10,410 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than Rockford University (99% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rockford University students is 16.8% larger than aid received Columbia College Chicago ($21,056 vs. $18,020)

Columbia College vs. Rockford University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Rockford University (3.25)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Rockford University (54.9%)

Columbia College vs. Rockford University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or Rockford 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 Rockford University and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than Rockford University (41% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Rockford University earn on average $7,300 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $37,300)
  • Rockford University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbia College graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,000)
  • Rockford University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than Columbia College graduates. ($258 vs. $268)
  • More Rockford University 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/