Columbia College vs. University of New England

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with University of New England in Biddeford, ME on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of New England is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (6,573 students vs. 5,570 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of New England is in Biddeford, ME (Small City setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of New England is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; University of New England 11:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New England are 12.7% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($18,000 vs. $20,629).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.7% higher at University of New England than at Columbia College Chicago (about $10,122 more per year; $44,210 vs. $34,088).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as at University of New England (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of New England students is 2.1% larger than aid received by Columbia College Chicago students ($23,255 vs. $22,780).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are open admission at Columbia College, test-free at University of New England.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027; University of New England Feb 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Columbia College students have the same average high school GPA (3.41) as students at University of New England (3.41).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 12.4% at University of New England.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College Chicago graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than University of New England graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of New England graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More University of New England graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation (75% vs. 46%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.