Columbia College vs. St. Kate's

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with St Catherine University in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than St. Kate's based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 3,651 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); St Catherine University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Catherine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; St Catherine University 9:1.

Columbia College vs. St. Kate's Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or St. Kate's? 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 St Catherine University than Columbia College ($20,918 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Catherine University are 40.9% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($12,188 vs. $20,629).
• St Catherine University is 50.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $17,366 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.9% higher at St. Kate's than at Columbia College Chicago (about $17,366 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as at St Catherine University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Catherine University students is 76% larger than aid received by Columbia College Chicago students ($40,092 vs. $22,780).

Columbia College vs. St. Kate's Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or St. Kate's? 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 St. Kate's and Columbia College.

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSt Catherine University 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSt Catherine University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; St. Kate's - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Kate's students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Columbia College (3.41).
• St. Kate's has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than Columbia College (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 18.8% at St. Kate's.

Columbia College vs. St. Kate's Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and St. Kate's? 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).

• St Catherine University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from St Catherine University earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,100 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College Chicago graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than St. Kate's graduates ($26,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Kate's graduates ($268 vs. $289).
• More St. Kate's graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.