Columbia College Chicago
Columbia College Chicago is situated in the heart of Chicago's downtown, offering students direct access to the city's vibrant arts and media scene. The campus is integrated into the urban landscape, rather than being a traditional enclosed space. The college fosters a creative and diverse student body focused on arts, media, and communication disciplines. Its location provides opportunities for internships and collaborations with numerous professional organizations, and it houses unique resources like the Museum of Contemporary Photography.
Financial Aid
The sticker price is rarely what families actually pay. Columbia College Chicago's grant and scholarship aid lowers the net price for most income brackets. 43% of students receive Pell Grants; 57% take federal loans.
Average net price across income brackets is $28,087, roughly 14% lower than the published tuition.
Net Price by Family Income
Academic Year 2025| Income Bracket | Avg Net Price | 4-Year Net Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $30K | $21,821 | $87,284 |
| $30K – $48K | $22,285 | $89,140 |
| $48K – $75K | $27,380 | $109,520 |
| $75K – $110K | $32,896 | $131,584 |
| $110K+ | $36,054 | $144,216 |
| Sticker price (no aid) | $32,520 | $130,080 |
Programs at Columbia College Chicago
15 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.
| Degree Program | DW Score | 1-yr Earnings | AI Risk | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Administration
Business Administration, Management and Operations Compare across schools → |
48
|
$34,798/yr | High | 3.8x |
| Marketing Compare across schools → |
44
|
$36,386/yr | Very High | 3.8x |
|
Public Relations & Advertising
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Compare across schools → |
43
|
$39,794/yr | High | 3.4x |
| American Sign Language Compare across schools → |
28
|
$33,775/yr | High | 2.7x |
| Graphic Communications Compare across schools → |
26
|
$26,309/yr | High | 4.0x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication Compare across schools → |
24
|
$24,191/yr | High | 2.5x |
|
Arts & Media Management
Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management Compare across schools → |
24
|
$23,844/yr | High | 1.9x |
| Journalism Compare across schools → |
23
|
$31,369/yr | Very High | 2.8x |
|
Design
Design and Applied Arts Compare across schools → |
22
|
$29,630/yr | High | 2.5x |
|
Fine Arts
Fine and Studio Arts Compare across schools → |
21
|
$22,765/yr | Moderate | 2.2x |
| Music Compare across schools → |
17
|
$19,943/yr | High | 1.5x |
|
Rhetoric & Writing
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Compare across schools → |
15
|
$25,060/yr | Very High | 2.0x |
|
Film & Photography
Film/Video and Photographic Arts Compare across schools → |
14
|
$23,905/yr | High | 1.8x |
|
Audio & Video Technology
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians Compare across schools → |
14
|
$20,927/yr | High | 2.5x |
|
Theater & Drama
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Compare across schools → |
14
|
$17,929/yr | Moderate | 1.6x |
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