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Columbia College Chicago (CCC) was established as a private art college in 1890 in downtown Chicago and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Offering undergraduate and graduate degrees across a spectrum of fields including visual and performing arts, journalism, communications, and more. CCC also boasts an undergraduate and graduate student population of nearly 7,000 students from various cultures and backgrounds, making up its diverse student body.
Overview of Columbia College Chicago (CCC)
Columbia is affiliated with several prestigious organizations and centers, such as the Center for Black Music Research that explores African Americans' contributions to music; as well as celebrating bookbinding and printmaking art through their Center for Book and Paper Arts.
CCC believes in the transformative power of art to enliven and enrich communities, which it does through its Center for Community Arts Partnerships by working closely with local organizations to offer arts education programs for youth while creating social change. Furthermore, its Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago offers contemporary dance training and performances on campus. CCC stands as an institution with a long and rich history that strives to foster creativity, community engagement, future artists, scholars, and performers.
General Information
School Type | Private not-for-profit |
---|---|
Campus Setting | City: Large |
Campus Housing | Yes |
Student Faculty Ratio | 15 : 1 |
Graduation Rate | 47% |
Year Founded | 1890 |
Student Enrollment
Total Students6,646
6,424
222
Undergraduate Student
Male 2,570
Female 3,854
Graduate Student
Male 89
Female 133
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Top Rankings For Columbia College Chicago
CCC Acceptance Rate and Admissions
APPLICATIONS7,701
ACCEPTANCE7,316
Acceptance Rate95%
Enrollment 1,610
Admissions | |
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Application Fee | NA |
High School GPA | Not Required, But Considered |
High School Rank | Not Required, But Considered |
High School Transcripts | Required To Be COnsidered |
College Prep Courses | Not Required, But Considered |
Recommendations | Not Required, But Considered |
Formal demonstration of competencies | Not Required, But Considered |
Work experience | Not Required, But Considered |
Personal statement or essay | Not Required, But Considered |
Legacy status | Not Considered |
SAT/ACT | Not Considered |
Other Test (Wonderlic,WISC-III,etc) | Not Considered |
English Proficiency Test | Required To Be COnsidered |
Application Deadline | August 1 |
Common Application Accepted | Yes |
CCC Tuition Cost & Financial Aid
Tuition costs for undergraduate programs vary based on both program type and student status (part- or full-time), but an estimated average tuition and fees total for the 2022-23 academic year was approximately $53,716, with costs being the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. The cost of tuition was around $31,000, with books and supplies costing another $1,700, room and board costing $18,000, and other various fees adding around $3,000 to the total. Graduate programs at Columbia College Chicago vary significantly in tuition rates. On average, tuition ranges between $857 and $1,035 per credit hour with most programs taking 36 credit hours to complete. Students should budget accordingly for all expenses.
CCC is more expensive than public institutions because the cost is unsubsidized by the state. However, the institution also provides a diverse array of financial aid options and scholarships to assist its students with covering educational expenses. The average net price for students after financial aid was applied in 2021-22 was $28,387.
Average net price | 2021-2022 |
---|---|
Net Price | $28,387 |
Average Total Aid | $18,020 |
Students Receiving Financial Aid | 99% |
Room & Board | $18,000 |
Sticker Price
- Tuition In-State - $31,026
- Tuition Out-of-State - $31,026
- Books and Supplies - $1,700
- Room & Board - $18,000
- Other - $2,990
Popular Academic Programs at CCC
Columbia College Chicago provides a range of academic programs for both undergraduate and graduate students, most of which spring from the school’s focus on the arts. Undergraduate students can select from over 50 degree programs such as Film & Video Production, Graphic Design, Fashion & Apparel Design, and Music, as well as unique offerings such as Comedy Writing and Performance, Fine and Studio Arts Management, and Interactive Technology and Special Effects. Columbia also offers an MFA program in Creative Writing, which offers highly regarded training in creative writing skills across genres. CCC stands out among academic institutions by offering these many specialized programs and areas of study and its emphasis on arts.
Retention
Rate
4 year
Graduation
Rate
6 year
Graduation
Rate
Student Population Total
Student Population 6,646
6,424
222
Most Popular Programs & Majors
(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)
All Visual and Performing Arts Majors | 746 Total Graduates / 59% |
---|---|
Cinematography and Film/Video Production | 111 Graduates |
Graphic Design | 76 Graduates |
Photography | 61 Graduates |
Fashion/Apparel Design | 58 Graduates |
Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services | 253 Total Graduates / 20% |
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects | 209 Graduates |
Recording Arts Technology/Technician | 44 Graduates |
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs | 121 Total Graduates / 10% |
Radio and Television | 49 Graduates |
Journalism | 20 Graduates |
Advertising | 16 Graduates |
Communication, General | 14 Graduates |
All English Language and Literature/Letters Majors | 51 Total Graduates /4% |
Creative Writing | 40 Graduates |
English Language and Literature, General | 11 Graduates |
All Business Majors | 36 Total Graduates / 3% |
Marketing/Marketing Management, General | 33 Graduates |
Retail Management | 3 Graduates |
All Other Diplomas | 5% |
Outcome & Salary
Columbia College Chicago graduates have achieved remarkable career successes and opportunities since completing their education at this renowned institution. Columbia prides itself on offering comprehensive programs designed to prepare its graduates for work across many industries in media, arts, and communication.
CCC boasts an outstanding alumni network that helps its graduates navigate their career paths successfully. Past Columbia alumni have gone on to excel in fields such as film, television, theater, photography, journalism, and more; this includes David Lynch, Lena Waithe Kathleen Hanna, and Bob Odenkirk, among others. Columbia College Chicago graduates have solid job placement rates upon completing their education thanks to strong industry connections and career-centric programs at the college. Columbia's Career Center also provides invaluable resources and support such as networking events, job fairs and internship opportunities that help give them real world experience. CCC graduates experience significant long-term career success upon leaving the school, often making headlines and winning major awards in their respective fields.
Graduates Salary | |
---|---|
College Grads Early Career Salary | $49,500 |
College Grads Average Salary | $65,000 |
College Grads Mid Career Salary | $88,700 |
Return on Investment (ROI) | |
---|---|
10 Year Salary Earnings Potential | $650,000 |
20 Year Salary Earnings Potential | $1,537,000 |
Cost of Education (Net Price) 4 Year | $113,548 |
10 Year Projected ROI | $536,452 |
20 Year Projected ROI | $1,423,452 |
No College Education Salary Comparison | |
---|---|
National Average Salary | $38,792 |
10 Year Projected Income | $387,920 |
20 Year Projected Income | $775,840 |
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