St. Thomas University vs. Columbia College

St. Thomas University and Columbia College Chicago side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

St. Thomas University
Columbia College Chicago

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Columbia College (89.5% admitted vs 97.9%). Typical SAT N/A vs 960.
  • Cheaper after aid: St. Thomas University. Average net price is $27,844 vs $29,473 at Columbia College.
  • Graduation: St. Thomas University 39% vs Columbia College 41%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: St. Thomas University $56,400 vs Columbia College $37,300 (median).
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Key differences

St. Thomas University Columbia College Chicago
Acceptance rate
Columbia College more selective
St. Thomas University97.9%
Columbia College89.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
St. Thomas University higher
St. Thomas University860-1060
Columbia College-
Average net price
St. Thomas University $1,629 less
St. Thomas University$27,844
Columbia College$29,473
In-state tuition
Columbia College $682 less
St. Thomas University$34,770
Columbia College$34,088
Out-of-state tuition
Columbia College $682 less
St. Thomas University$34,770
Columbia College$34,088
Graduation rate
Columbia College +2 pts
St. Thomas University39%
Columbia College41%
Median earnings (10 years)
St. Thomas University +$19,100
St. Thomas University$56,400
Columbia College$37,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • St. Thomas University 7,095
  • Columbia College 7,079
  • Admitted
  • St. Thomas University 6,947
  • Columbia College 6,333
  • Acceptance rate
  • St. Thomas University 97.9%
  • Columbia College 89.5% Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • St. Thomas University 10.5%
  • Columbia College 15.1% Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • St. Thomas University 960
  • Columbia College
  • Typical ACT score
  • St. Thomas University 18
  • Columbia College
  • Average high school GPA
  • St. Thomas University 3.24
  • Columbia College 3.41
  • Typical high school grades
  • St. Thomas University B+
  • Columbia College B+
  • Admissions standards
  • St. Thomas University Extremely Easy
  • Columbia College Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • St. Thomas University
  • Columbia College
  • SAT range
  • St. Thomas University 860-1060
  • Columbia College
  • ACT range
  • St. Thomas University 16-21
  • Columbia College
  • Submit test scores
  • St. Thomas University Test-free
  • Columbia College Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • St. Thomas University
  • Columbia College Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • St. Thomas University $34,770
  • Columbia College $34,088
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • St. Thomas University $34,770
  • Columbia College $34,088
  • Room & board
  • St. Thomas University $13,210
  • Columbia College $20,629
  • Average net price
  • St. Thomas University $27,844
  • Columbia College $29,473
  • Average grant aid
  • St. Thomas University $23,356
  • Columbia College $22,780
  • % receiving grant aid
  • St. Thomas University 99%
  • Columbia College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • St. Thomas University 39%
  • Columbia College 41%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • St. Thomas University $56,400
  • Columbia College $37,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • St. Thomas University 48%
  • Columbia College 46%
  • Median student loan debt
  • St. Thomas University $22,753
  • Columbia College $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • St. Thomas University $235
  • Columbia College $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • St. Thomas University 17:1
  • Columbia College 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • St. Thomas University
    • Business (50%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Education (5%)
    • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Columbia College
    • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Communications Technology (6%)
    • English and Literature (5%)
  • Location
  • St. Thomas University Miami Gardens, FL
  • Columbia College Chicago, IL
  • Setting
  • St. Thomas University Large Suburban
  • Columbia College Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • St. Thomas University 7,652
  • Columbia College 5,570
  • Type
  • St. Thomas University Private 4 Year
  • Columbia College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • St. Thomas University #941
  • Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, FL with Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

St. Thomas University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (7,652 students vs. 5,570 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • St. Thomas University is located in Miami Gardens, FL (Large Suburban setting); Columbia College Chicago is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
  • St. Thomas University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: St. Thomas University 17:1; Columbia College Chicago 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. Thomas University are 36% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($13,210 vs. $20,629).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at St. Thomas University than at Columbia College Chicago (about $682 more per year; $34,770 vs. $34,088).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at St. Thomas University (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St. Thomas University students is 2.5% larger than aid received by Columbia College Chicago students ($23,356 vs. $22,780).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at St. Thomas University, open admission at Columbia College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Columbia College average a 3.41 high school GPA, 0.17 higher than at St. Thomas University (3.24).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.5% at St. Thomas University vs. 15.1% at Columbia College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, St. Thomas University graduates have a $3,247 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($22,753 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, St. Thomas University graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($235 vs. $268).
  • More St. Thomas University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation (48% vs. 46%).

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

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