Columbia College Chicago
Columbia College Chicago — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Columbia College Chicago at a Glance
Columbia College Chicago (CCC) is a private art college in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1890, it has 4,200 students pursuing degrees in more than 40 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Is Columbia College Chicago Worth It?
At a value score of 20/100, Columbia College Chicago is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $42,195 — 22% below average — while paying $26,598/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.5-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 50% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $25,000 representing 59% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Columbia College Chicago has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Columbia College Chicago compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #28 of 33 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Uta Mesivta of Kiryas Joel | 100 | $4,156 | $31,853 |
| #2 | Ensign College | 44 | $10,824 | $50,630 |
| #3 | Mercy University | 43 | $14,072 | $52,055 |
| #4 | University of the Cumberlands | 39 | $14,107 | $45,036 |
| #5 | Mercyhurst University | 36 | $19,444 | $47,452 |
| #6 | Davenport University | 34 | $17,707 | $45,099 |
| #28 | Columbia College Chicago | 20 | $26,598 | $42,195 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Columbia College Chicago's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in IL.
Best Programs at Columbia College Chicago
The highest-earning program at Columbia College Chicago is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $34,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Music at $18,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Columbia College Chicago earns $34,400, while a Music graduate earns $18,200. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $26,000 in median debt vs. $26,899 for Music.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $26,598/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,400 | $34,400 | $26,000 |
| Marketing | $34,300 | $34,300 | $25,465 |
| American Sign Language | $30,000 | $30,000 | $21,500 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $29,900 | $29,900 | $24,862 |
| Journalism | $28,900 | $28,900 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $27,200 | $27,200 | $26,000 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | $26,300 | $26,300 | $25,500 |
| Graphic Communications | $25,600 | $25,600 | $27,250 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $25,600 | $25,600 | $26,000 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $23,300 | $23,300 | $25,596 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $21,700 | $21,700 | $26,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $20,700 | $20,700 | $26,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $20,000 | $20,000 | $25,750 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $19,700 | $19,700 | $27,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $19,600 | $19,600 | $28,000 |
| Dance | $19,200 | $19,200 | $27,750 |
| Music | $18,200 | $18,200 | $26,899 |
Similar Colleges in IL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Student Body
- 5,368 students
- Admission Rate
- 89%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $26,598
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $42,195
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000