Columbia College Chicago vs Dominican University
Columbia College Chicago is a private college in Chicago, IL. Dominican University is a private university in River Forest, IL. Columbia College Chicago admits about 89% of applicants and Dominican University about 90%, making Columbia College Chicago the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $11,745 a year at Dominican University after aid, and about $26,598 at Columbia College Chicago. About 59% of students graduate at Dominican University, compared with 50% at Columbia College Chicago. Ten years after enrolling, Dominican University alumni earn a median of about $60,327, against $42,195 for Columbia College Chicago.
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Chicago, IL
River Forest, IL
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
5,368
2,561
Acceptance rate
89%
90%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.29–3.79
3.15–3.65
SAT (middle 50%)
1000–1230
880–1100
ACT (middle 50%)
20–27
16–26
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$26,598
$11,745
Full cost / yr
$51,889
$43,891
In-state tuition
$34,088
$38,978
Out-of-state tuition
$34,088
$38,978
Application fee
$25
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$20,924
$9,759
$30k - $48k
$21,423
$9,014
$48k - $75k
$25,590
$11,891
$75k - $110k
$31,677
$16,851
Over $110k
$36,436
$17,963
Outcomes
Graduation rate
50%
59%
Freshman retention
66%
78%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$32,596
$47,907
Median earnings (10 yr)
$42,195
$60,327
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$24,411
Student body
Pell grant recipients
46%
52%
First-generation students
25%
51%
International students
4%
0%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 15
Regular decision
Jan 15
Rolling
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Columbia College Chicago or Dominican University harder to get into?
- Columbia College Chicago is harder to get into. It admits about 89% of applicants, compared with 90% at Dominican University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Columbia College Chicago or Dominican University?
- Dominican University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $11,745 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $26,598 at Columbia College Chicago. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Columbia College Chicago and Dominican University?
- Before aid, Dominican University costs about $43,891 a year and Columbia College Chicago about $51,889. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Columbia College Chicago or Dominican University?
- Dominican University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,759 there, against about $20,924 at Columbia College Chicago. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Columbia College Chicago or Dominican University?
- Columbia College Chicago is the larger of the two, with about 5,368 undergraduates against 2,561 at Dominican University.
- Does Columbia College Chicago or Dominican University have a better graduation rate?
- Dominican University has the higher graduation rate, at about 59% against 50% at Columbia College Chicago.
- Do graduates of Columbia College Chicago or Dominican University earn more?
- Dominican University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $60,327 ten years after enrolling, against about $42,195 for Columbia College Chicago. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Columbia College Chicago and Dominican University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Columbia College Chicago is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Dominican University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Columbia College Chicago and Dominican University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1000–1230 at Columbia College Chicago and 880–1100 at Dominican University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Columbia College Chicago vs University of ChicagoColumbia College Chicago vs Northwestern UniversityColumbia College Chicago vs Northern Illinois UniversityDominican University vs Illinois Wesleyan UniversityDominican University vs Chicago State UniversityDominican University vs Governors State University
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