Columbia College Chicago

In 2022, Columbia College Chicago's tuition was $30,734 a year.

Tuition increased 5% in 2023–from $29,270 the previous year. On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this information makes going to college seem daunting, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students owe a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Additionally, student loans can make thecost of college feel more doable until you're done with college.

Columbia College Chicago meets 0.59% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Columbia College Chicago is around $20,594 a year.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $33,373 in student loans for each student with debt.

Does Columbia College Chicago Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Columbia College Chicago is a private, nonprofit institution, so it has the same tuition for students from Illinois as it does for students who live in other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public insitutions often offer a lower cost of attendance for those who qualify as Illinois residents.

Attending a college where you are eligible for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan drastically reduce the overall cost of college. Take the time to verify your state's rules for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Illinois colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Columbia College Chicago?

Tuition at Columbia College Chicago is the same for all students.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may qualify for private or Columbia College Chicago-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Columbia College Chicago:

•Columbia College Chicago-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

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Columbia College Chicago Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Columbia College Chicago.

Room and Board Costs at Columbia College Chicago

Room and board at Columbia College Chicago is $9,000 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs vary based on on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at Columbia College Chicago

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have resources so that those with financial need to find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Columbia College Chicago

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in an urban area can be expensive, but there may be more buses, trains and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Columbia College Chicago campus is located in a city in Illinois, near Chicago.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, be sure to take into account personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at Columbia College Chicago

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending Columbia College Chicago.

How Much Does Columbia College Chicago Cost?

What will the cost of attending Columbia College Chicago be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$30,734
Room and Board	$9,000
Other expenses	$2,150

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$43,364
Off-Campus	$34,364

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Columbia College Chicago Financial Aid

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The majority of Columbia College Chicago undergrads use financial aid to to cover the cost of tuition. In 2023, 4,471 of the 6,424 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Columbia College Chicago meets 0.59% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $20,594 a year. Around 71% of Columbia College Chicago undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Columbia College Chicago graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $33,373 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$24,747
Private Loans	$43,525

Most Common Loans for Columbia College Chicago Students
Federal Loans	71%
Private loans	14%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Columbia College Chicago financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Columbia College Chicago

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Columbia College Chicago awarded 4,378 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $79.5 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $13.44 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Columbia College Chicago Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Columbia College Chicago students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Columbia College Chicago was $20,594 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Columbia College Chicago seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$22,770
Off-Campus	$13,770

What will attending Columbia College Chicago really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Columbia College Chicago's net cost calculator on their website.

Columbia College Chicago Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Columbia College Chicago Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Columbia College Chicago has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Columbia College Chicago's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about Columbia College Chicago's endowment, check with the school directly.

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Learn More About Columbia College Chicago

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Choose one of the options below to find out more about about Columbia College Chicago:

Overview

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