Columbia College vs. Western New England University

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

Columbia College Western New England University
Location Chicago, IL Springfield, MA
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 6,646 3,430
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #372
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu wne.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Western New England University
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $41,750
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $41,750
Room & Board $18,000 $14,670
Avg Net Price $28,387 $30,214
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $24,781
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 97%

Admission

Columbia College Western New England University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 6,128
Admitted 7,298 5,393
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 88%
Enrolled % 22%Open 10.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.49
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 24/29
SAT Range 1090/1280
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 Western New England University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (35%)
  • Engineering (15%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Western New England University
Graduation Rate 41% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $59,800
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $279

Diversity

Columbia College Western New England University
% Men 40% 53%
% Women 60% 47%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 55% 73%
% Black 15% 6%
% Hispanic 11% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 1%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 7% 5%

Students

Columbia College Western New England University
% In-State 57% 54%
% Out-of-State 40% 44%

Campus

Columbia College Western New England University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College Chicago is larger than than Western New England University based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 3,430 students)

Columbia College vs. Western New England University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Western New England University?

  • Western New England University is 42.6% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($41,750.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 42.6% higher at Western New England University than Columbia College Chicago ($41,750.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia College Chicago than Western New England University ($28,387 vs. $30,214)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western New England University are 22.7% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($14,670 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than Western New England University (99% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western New England University students is 37.5% larger than aid received Columbia College Chicago ($24,781 vs. $18,020)

Columbia College vs. Western New England University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Western New England University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Columbia College (3.41)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Western New England University (88%)

Columbia College vs. Western New England University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or Western New England 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 Western New England University and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Western New England University is higher than Columbia College Chicago (61% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Western New England University earn on average $22,500 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($59,800 vs. $37,300)
  • Columbia College Chicago students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Western New England University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Western New England University graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More Western New England University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/