Columbia College Chicago vs Northwestern University
Columbia College Chicago is a private college in Chicago, IL, and Northwestern University is a private university in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 8% of applicants against 89% at Columbia College Chicago. Columbia College Chicago is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $26,598 a year against $29,167 at Northwestern University. About 96% of students graduate at Northwestern University, compared with 50% at Columbia College Chicago. Ten years after enrolling, Northwestern University alumni earn a median of about $89,363, against $42,195 for Columbia College Chicago.
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 Northwestern University harder to get into?
- Northwestern University is harder to get into. It admits about 8% 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 Northwestern University?
- Columbia College Chicago is cheaper on average. Students pay about $26,598 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $29,167 at Northwestern University. 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 Northwestern University?
- Before aid, Columbia College Chicago costs about $51,889 a year and Northwestern University about $91,250. 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 Northwestern University?
- Northwestern University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $1,764 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 Northwestern University?
- Northwestern University is the larger of the two, with about 9,201 undergraduates against 5,368 at Columbia College Chicago.
- Does Columbia College Chicago or Northwestern University have a better graduation rate?
- Northwestern University has the higher graduation rate, at about 96% against 50% at Columbia College Chicago.
- Do graduates of Columbia College Chicago or Northwestern University earn more?
- Northwestern University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $89,363 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 Northwestern University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Columbia College Chicago is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Northwestern University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Columbia College Chicago and Northwestern University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1000–1230 at Columbia College Chicago and 1510–1570 at Northwestern University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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