Columbia College Chicago vs Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Columbia College Chicago is a private college in Chicago, IL. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is a public university in Carbondale, IL. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants and Columbia College Chicago about 89%, making Southern Illinois University-Carbondale the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $13,297 a year at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale after aid, and about $26,598 at Columbia College Chicago. About 59% of students graduate at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, compared with 50% at Columbia College Chicago. Ten years after enrolling, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale alumni earn a median of about $53,390, against $42,195 for Columbia College Chicago.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Chicago, IL
Carbondale, IL
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
5,368
8,494
Acceptance rate
89%
87%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.29–3.79
3.28–3.78
SAT (middle 50%)
1000–1230
900–1160
ACT (middle 50%)
20–27
18–25
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$26,598
$13,297
Full cost / yr
$51,889
$28,329
In-state tuition
$34,088
$13,334
Out-of-state tuition
$34,088
$13,334
Application fee
$25
$40
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$20,924
$9,415
$30k - $48k
$21,423
$8,497
$48k - $75k
$25,590
$10,308
$75k - $110k
$31,677
$17,724
Over $110k
$36,436
$23,254
Outcomes
Graduation rate
50%
59%
Freshman retention
66%
67%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$32,596
$43,087
Median earnings (10 yr)
$42,195
$53,390
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$21,543
Student body
Pell grant recipients
46%
39%
First-generation students
25%
35%
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 Southern Illinois University-Carbondale harder to get into?
- Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is harder to get into. It admits about 87% 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 Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
- Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,297 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 Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
- Before aid, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale costs about $28,329 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 Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
- Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,415 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 Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
- Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is the larger of the two, with about 8,494 undergraduates against 5,368 at Columbia College Chicago.
- Does Columbia College Chicago or Southern Illinois University-Carbondale have a better graduation rate?
- Southern Illinois University-Carbondale has the higher graduation rate, at about 59% against 50% at Columbia College Chicago.
- Do graduates of Columbia College Chicago or Southern Illinois University-Carbondale earn more?
- Southern Illinois University-Carbondale alumni earn more on average: a median of about $53,390 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 Southern Illinois University-Carbondale require SAT or ACT scores?
- Columbia College Chicago is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Columbia College Chicago and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1000–1230 at Columbia College Chicago and 900–1160 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. 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 UniversitySouthern Illinois University-Carbondale vs University of ChicagoSouthern Illinois University-Carbondale vs Northwestern UniversitySouthern Illinois University-Carbondale vs Northern Illinois University
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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