Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

  • Home
  • >
  • USA
  • >
  • Columbia College Chicago, Chicago
600 South Michigan Avenue, IL 60605
Estd 1890

Updated on - Dec 13th, 2021 | 04:45 PM By Archana S

Overview Content

Columbia College Chicago is an urban institution whose students represent the global, ethnic, cultural, and educational diversity of modern America. Offering specialized graduate programs that combine a strong philosophical focus with practical technical education, it is renowned for training students with mature interests to be both qualified artists and effective professionals.

When was Columbia College Chicago Established?

In 1890, Columbia College Chicago was founded by Mary A. as the Columbia School of Oratory.

Where is Columbia College Chicago?

Columbia College Chicago is a private nonprofit college located in the heart of the Cultural Mile of downtown Chicago.

Columbia College Chicago Accreditation

Columbia College Chicago is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) at the graduate and undergraduate levels. It is also accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education as a teacher training institution.

Education at Columbia College Chicago

Columbia College Chicago offers a unique curriculum that incorporates artistic and media arts, liberal arts, and business for almost 7,000 students in the form of more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The courses are offered through the School of Fine and Performing Arts, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and School of Media Arts.

Why Choose Columbia College Chicago?

Columbia College Chicago received about 8,892 applications in the fall of 2018. It offers a unique curriculum that blends creative and media arts, liberal arts, and business.  Some other reasons to choose Columbia College Chicago over other US universities are given below:

Total Programs 60
Total Students 8,892
Alumni Member More than 96,000
Scholarships Awarded $40.1 million( 2017-18)
Graduation Rate 50%
Retention Rate 71%

Academics Departments/Colleges of Columbia College Chicago

The Community Schools Program helps Chicago students demonstrate their imagination through the arts in post-school events and community services. Community schools put together the most important factors in students' learning: education, family, and community. The schools/ colleges of Columbia College Chicago are mentioned below:

  • School of Fine and Performing Arts
  • School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • School of Media Arts
  • School of Graduate Studies

Faculties and Departments at Columbia College Chicago

Columbia College Chicago's holistic approach builds on lessons that take place every day in the classroom, including opportunities for arts education, physical activity, tutoring, and cultural enrichment. The academic faculties and departments that are a part of the schools and colleges under Columbia College Chicago are given below:

Art and Art History Business and Entrepreneurship
Dance Fashion Studies
Music Photography
Humanities, History, and Social Sciences English and Creative Writing
Computer Animation Deaf Studies 
Film and Television Game Design
Interior Architecture Journalism

Financial Aid & Scholarships at Columbia College Chicago

In recent years, Columbia College Chicago has offered financial support to more than 91% of freshmen and 86% of transfer students. The total financial aid package for freshmen students is USD 14,364. Given below are the details about the financial aid available at Columbia College Chicago:

  • International students are entitled to earn a talented scholarship to study in the U.S. In order to be accepted, students must submit creative samples of work, such as the audition and portfolio, along with their application by 31 January.
  • Graduate students are automatically eligible for the Graduate Merit Award if they submit a full application for admission within the deadline.

Student Services at Columbia College Chicago

Columbia College Chicago offers a variety of programs to help support our students, from therapy to job planning. Columbia campus is an attractive, healthy place to live and learn. Columbia College Chicago takes its responsibility seriously to keep the students safe, healthy, and happy. Find below some of the services offered to students at Columbia College Chicago:

  • Housing
  • Health Services
  • Campus Safety & Security
  • Career Center
  • Counseling Services
  • International & Diversity
  • Services for Students with Disabilities

Columbia College Chicago Library

The Columbia College Chicago Library is committed to supporting Columbia College Chicago and its academic programs by offering access to information tools and training students to evaluate and use them. Student library resources support the work of courses, research, and academic ventures and help students move beyond their area of study. Some of the highlights of the Columbia College Chicago library are listed below:

  • Cameras, Recorders, and More.
  • Study Rooms
  • Textbooks
  • 3D Printing and Vinyl Cutting
  • Green Screen
  • Research Consultation Request

University Stats

Student Population at Columbia College Chicago

Columbia College Chicago received over 8,892 applications in the fall of 2018. It approved the applicants at an acceptance rate of about 87%, of which 19% of the candidates enrolled neatly. Currently, 98% of freshmen received some form of financial aid. The average GPA of the students admitted was more than 3.39.  The detailed student and staff enrollment at Columbia College Chicago is shown below:

Undergraduate Enrollment 8,524
Graduate Enrollment 368
Student-Faculty Ratio 14:1
Acceptance Rate 91.6%

Columbia College Chicago Rankings

Dedicated to academic excellence and long-term career success, Columbia College Chicago is building a diverse, stimulating, and interactive space for students who see the world through a creative lens. Some of the Columbia College Chicago rankings are given below:

  • Ranked #1 College of Aspiring Comedians 2019, College Magazine.
  • Ranked #3 Worldwide Music School for Film and Television Composition 2019, Hollywood Reporter
  • Ranked #6 College of Video Game Design 2018, College Magazine
  • Ranked #8 Midwest Animation School 2020, Animation Career Study
  • Ranked #8 College of Playwriting 2017, College Magazine
  • Ranked #11 Graduate Photography Program 2016, US News, and World Report 2016.
  • Ranked #13 Most Midwest Creative School 2019, US News & World Report
  • Ranked #17 America's Best College Sites, 2020, Niche.com
  • Ranked #19 National Film School 2019, Hollywood Reporter.

Student-Faculty Ratio

14:1

Male-Female Ratio

42:58

International Students

293

Total Enrolment

8,892


Admission Details

How can I get into Columbia College Chicago?

Columbia College Chicago offers all international students the opportunity to participate in their programs. It recognizes those without U.S. citizenship, green card/ residency as international students. Students can apply for either a bachelor's degree or a master's degree in the variety of programs offered in the various fields of the arts, media, etc. The degrees offered include BS, BA, BFA, MA, MFA, MAM, and several others. The Columbia College Chicago admission requirements for international students are given below:

  • Transcript (high school/college)
  • Proof of proficiency in English
  • Test scores (Additional undergraduate requirement)
  • Portfolios/Auditions (Additional undergraduate requirement)
  • Applicants may need to have standardized test scores to study in the USA.
  • Letters of recommendation are mandatory.
  • Applicants will have to request a declaration of purpose/intention.
  • Applicants can be asked to request a graduation certificate or leave a certificate.

Acceptance Rate

Minimum Score
TOEFL Requirements

Min. 80


Minimum Score
IELTS Requirements

Min. 6.5


Application Website


Accepts Direct Application

yes


Total Applications

8,121


Average Tuition Fees

The annual average tuition fees at Columbia College Chicago vary for domestic and international students. The amount can vary depending on the course chosen, the quality of the accommodation, and the candidate's personal spending habits. Below are the average tuition fees details for international students at Columbia College Chicago: 

Degree Type Tuition Fees
Diploma -
Undergraduate $26,610
Post Graduate $36,840

Application Details

Columbia College Chicago has a high acceptance rate of 90% which makes it relatively straightforward for students to be admitted to the university. The requirements for admission to Columbia College Chicago have been discussed below:

  • Complete the Application through the Official portal.
  • Application fee: $75
  • Application Deadline: Fall – January 31, Spring – December 13.
Events Dates
Application Deadline
2022-11-01

Other Fees

What is the Annual Average Cost to attend Columbia College Chicago?

Additional fees at Columbia College Chicago may include housing, food, books and supplies, and personal expenses. Below are some of the other Columbia College Chicago fees for international students:

  • Books & Supplies: $1,600/Year
  • Room & Board: $13,630/Year
  • Other Expenses: $2,003/Year
Average Annual Tuition Fees
$26,610
Average Accommodation
$13,630
Application Fees
$50

Courses Fees

Columbia College Chicago courses are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels in a variety of disciplines such as management, journalism, media, and more. Some of the popular Columbia College Chicago courses along with their fee details are listed below:

  • Bachelor of Arts [B.A] in International Arts Management: $26,610
  • Bachelor of Arts [B.A] in Graphic Design: $26,610
  • Master of Arts [M.A] in Journalism: $36,840
  • Master of Interdisciplinary Arts and Media: $36,840

Bachelor Courses:

Master Courses:

Bachelor of Arts [B.A]

Course Fees: $26610


Bachelor of Science [B.Sc]

Course Fees: $26610


Master of Arts [M.A]

Course Fees: $36840


View All Courses


Contact Information

Columbia College Chicago address is at 600 South Michigan Avenue, IL 60605. Find below the location and other contact details of Columbia College Chicago:

Chicago, Illinois

Location

+-312-369-7130

Contact No

Talk to Experts
Apply Now