Columbia College Chicago Acceptance Rate & Admissions

About

About Columbia College Chicago

arts and design focushighly accessible admissionsprivate arts collegehumanities emphasis

Columbia College Chicago is a private university in Chicago, IL, known for its arts and design focus, highly accessible admissions, and private arts college. With an acceptance rate of 95%, Columbia College Chicago is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 1,606 students each year. Columbia College Chicago is test optional; submitting a strong score can strengthen an application, though it is not required for consideration. Columbia College Chicago offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $19,154 per year; the sticker price of $48,698 may look very different from what your family actually pays.

Admissions

Columbia College Chicago acceptance rate and admitted student profile

accessible for most qualified applicants

95%

Overall Accept Rate

3.50

Typical Admitted GPA

GPATypical admitted range: 3.00 – 3.75 unweighted

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Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Columbia College Chicago

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Application Strategy

Columbia College Chicago evaluates your creative work seriously, so submit a strong portfolio or creative sample if your program allows it. Make sure your submitted work reflects your personal artistic voice, not just technical skill.

Essay Strategy

In your application materials, name the specific program at Columbia College Chicago you are applying to and explain why that department fits your creative goals. Admissions reads for genuine alignment with their arts and media focused curriculum, not general enthusiasm.

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Financial Aid & Cost

What Columbia College Chicago actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Family Income	Sticker Price	Est. Net Cost / yr
0-30k	~$49k/yr	$20.9k
30k-48k	~$49k/yr	$21.4k
48k-75k	~$49k/yr	$25.6k
75k-110k	~$49k/yr	$31.7k
110k+	~$49k/yr	$36.4k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

49%

6-Year Graduation Rate

$33k

Median Earnings (6 yrs)

14:1

Student-Faculty Ratio

6,000

Undergrad Enrollment