Columbia College Chicago— Earnings & Cost Trends
Graduate Earnings
$42,195
in 2021+25% since 2008
Median Graduate Earnings Over Time
Net Price (Annual Cost) Over Time
Graduation Rate Over Time
Key Insights
- •Earnings grew 25% since 2008 — graduates are earning more over time
- •Net price decreased 15% since 2010 — the school has become more affordable
- •Graduation rate improved by 33 percentage points since 1998
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Earnings | Net Price | Grad Rate | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | — | — | 18% | $6,285 |
| 1999 | — | — | 23% | $6,625 |
| 2000 | — | — | 23% | $6,625 |
| 2001 | — | — | 25% | $6,625 |
| 2002 | — | — | 27% | $6,625 |
| 2003 | — | — | 27% | $7,000 |
| 2004 | — | — | 27% | $7,938 |
| 2005 | — | — | 30% | $8,250 |
| 2006 | — | — | 30% | $9,000 |
| 2007 | — | — | 35% | $9,130 |
| 2008 | $33,800 | — | 33% | $9,000 |
| 2009 | — | — | 34% | $10,000 |
| 2010 | $32,100 | $31,341 | 37% | $12,000 |
| 2011 | — | $30,459 | 41% | $14,000 |
| 2012 | $32,700 | $29,854 | 42% | $15,000 |
| 2013 | $33,000 | $28,485 | 41% | $16,250 |
| 2014 | $33,400 | $29,162 | 41% | $18,750 |
| 2015 | $34,400 | $28,416 | 43% | $19,500 |
| 2016 | — | $29,589 | 42% | $20,000 |
| 2017 | — | $29,828 | 45% | $20,000 |
| 2018 | — | $31,597 | 44% | $19,500 |
| 2019 | — | $30,924 | 48% | $19,424 |
| 2020 | — | $31,099 | 50% | $18,500 |
| 2021 | $42,195 | $26,258 | 50% | $16,500 |
| 2022 | — | $24,611 | 51% | — |
| 2023 | — | $25,328 | 47% | — |
| 2024 | — | $26,788 | 48% | — |
| 2025 | — | $26,598 | 52% | — |