Skip to content

Columbia College Chicago vs Wheaton College

Columbia College Chicago is a private college in Chicago, IL, and Wheaton College is a private college in Wheaton, IL. Wheaton College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 87% 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 $26,975 at Wheaton College. About 86% of students graduate at Wheaton College, compared with 50% at Columbia College Chicago. Ten years after enrolling, Wheaton College alumni earn a median of about $63,756, against $42,195 for Columbia College Chicago.

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

Wheaton College

Wheaton, IL · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Chicago, IL
Wheaton, IL
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
5,368
2,121
Acceptance rate
89%
87%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.29–3.79
3.42–3.92
SAT (middle 50%)
1000–1230
1260–1470
ACT (middle 50%)
20–27
28–32
Test policy
Test blind
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$26,598
$26,975
Full cost / yr
$51,889
$59,263
In-state tuition
$34,088
$45,546
Out-of-state tuition
$34,088
$45,546
Application fee
$25
$50
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$20,924
$20,001
$30k - $48k
$21,423
$18,587
$48k - $75k
$25,590
$20,553
$75k - $110k
$31,677
$24,176
Over $110k
$36,436
$33,435
Outcomes
Graduation rate
50%
86%
Freshman retention
66%
93%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$32,596
$50,270
Median earnings (10 yr)
$42,195
$63,756
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$23,250
Student body
Pell grant recipients
46%
22%
First-generation students
25%
Not reported
International students
4%
4%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Oct 15
Regular decision
Jan 15
Feb 15

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.

Frequently asked questions
Is Columbia College Chicago or Wheaton College harder to get into?
Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College?
Columbia College Chicago is cheaper on average. Students pay about $26,598 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $26,975 at Wheaton College. 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 Wheaton College?
Before aid, Columbia College Chicago costs about $51,889 a year and Wheaton College about $59,263. 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 Wheaton College?
Wheaton College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $20,001 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 Wheaton College?
Columbia College Chicago is the larger of the two, with about 5,368 undergraduates against 2,121 at Wheaton College.
Does Columbia College Chicago or Wheaton College have a better graduation rate?
Wheaton College has the higher graduation rate, at about 86% against 50% at Columbia College Chicago.
Do graduates of Columbia College Chicago or Wheaton College earn more?
Wheaton College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $63,756 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 Wheaton College require SAT or ACT scores?
Columbia College Chicago is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Wheaton College considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
What SAT scores do Columbia College Chicago and Wheaton College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1000–1230 at Columbia College Chicago and 1260–1470 at Wheaton College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school