Columbia College Chicago vs Northern Illinois University
Columbia College Chicago is a private college in Chicago, IL, and Northern Illinois University is a public university in Dekalb, IL. Northern Illinois University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 70% of applicants against 89% at Columbia College Chicago. Northern Illinois University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $13,391 a year against $26,598 at Columbia College Chicago. About 50% of students graduate at Columbia College Chicago, compared with 49% at Northern Illinois University. Ten years after enrolling, Northern Illinois University alumni earn a median of about $57,808, against $42,195 for Columbia College Chicago.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Chicago, IL
Dekalb, IL
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
5,368
11,301
Acceptance rate
89%
70%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.29–3.79
3.37–3.87
SAT (middle 50%)
1000–1230
940–1170
ACT (middle 50%)
20–27
19–25
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$26,598
$13,391
Full cost / yr
$51,889
$28,851
In-state tuition
$34,088
$13,248
Out-of-state tuition
$34,088
$13,248
Application fee
$25
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$20,924
$10,126
$30k - $48k
$21,423
$9,854
$48k - $75k
$25,590
$12,797
$75k - $110k
$31,677
$17,612
Over $110k
$36,436
$21,834
Outcomes
Graduation rate
50%
49%
Freshman retention
66%
70%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$32,596
$46,113
Median earnings (10 yr)
$42,195
$57,808
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$22,162
Student body
Pell grant recipients
46%
47%
First-generation students
25%
38%
International students
4%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
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 Northern Illinois University harder to get into?
- Northern Illinois University is harder to get into. It admits about 70% of applicants, compared with 89% 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.
- Which is cheaper, Columbia College Chicago or Northern Illinois University?
- Northern Illinois University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,391 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 Northern Illinois University?
- Before aid, Northern Illinois University costs about $28,851 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 Northern Illinois University?
- Northern Illinois University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $10,126 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 Northern Illinois University?
- Northern Illinois University is the larger of the two, with about 11,301 undergraduates against 5,368 at Columbia College Chicago.
- Does Columbia College Chicago or Northern Illinois University have a better graduation rate?
- Columbia College Chicago has the higher graduation rate, at about 50% against 49% at Northern Illinois University.
- Do graduates of Columbia College Chicago or Northern Illinois University earn more?
- Northern Illinois University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $57,808 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 Northern Illinois University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Columbia College Chicago is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Northern Illinois University is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
- What SAT scores do Columbia College Chicago and Northern Illinois University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1000–1230 at Columbia College Chicago and 940–1170 at Northern Illinois 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 DePaul UniversityNorthern Illinois University vs University of ChicagoNorthern Illinois University vs Northwestern UniversityNorthern Illinois University vs DePaul University
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