Is Columbia College Chicago worth it?
Columbia College Chicago is a private nonprofit, four-year institution in Chicago, Illinois (large city). It awarded 1,392 degrees and certificates in 2024, most often in cinematography and film; animation, interactive technology, video graphics; and fashion design.
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Federal data
Federal context for Columbia College Chicago
Published by the federal government for federally aided students. It does not say which employers hire graduates.
Median earnings 1 year after
$24,908
Median earnings 4 years after
$47,092
Median earnings 10 years after
$42,195
Average net price
$26,598
Completion rate
52%
Completions (2024)
1,392
Years to pay back
2.3 years
Students (undergrad)
5,368
Median earnings after completing, by program
| Program | Credential | Median earnings, 1yr | Median earnings, 4yr | Graduates counted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | Bachelor's | $23,905 | $41,200 | 489 |
| Design and Applied Arts | Bachelor's | $29,630 | $48,601 | 408 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | Bachelor's | $17,929 | $39,986 | 304 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | Bachelor's | $23,844 | $50,592 | 182 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | Bachelor's | $24,191 | $54,357 | 104 |
| Music | Bachelor's | $19,943 | $40,734 | 99 |
| Graphic Communications | Bachelor's | $26,309 | $43,970 | 94 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | Bachelor's | $20,927 | $43,731 | 91 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | Bachelor's | $25,060 | $39,751 | 79 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Bachelor's | $34,798 | $56,482 | 79 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | Bachelor's | $39,794 | $66,798 | 75 |
| Journalism | Bachelor's | $31,369 | $51,639 | 68 |
| Marketing | Bachelor's | $36,386 | $65,686 | 64 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | Bachelor's | $22,765 | $42,176 | 44 |
| American Sign Language | Bachelor's | $33,775 | $45,619 | 41 |
Source: College Scorecard, June 2026 release, and IPEDS. Earnings cover federally aided students only, so they do not cover every graduate.
Awards conferred, by program
| Program | Award level | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Cinematography and Film/Video Production | Bachelor's | 236 |
| Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects | Bachelor's | 110 |
| Fashion/Apparel Design | Bachelor's | 94 |
| Graphic Design | Bachelor's | 70 |
| Acting | Bachelor's | 58 |
| Photography | Bachelor's | 56 |
| Illustration | Bachelor's | 55 |
| Acoustics | Bachelor's | 51 |
| Game and Interactive Media Design | Bachelor's | 45 |
| Music Management | Bachelor's | 39 |
Similar schools
Other private nonprofit four year schools in Illinois
Same state, same sector, nearest by completions.
Concordia University-Chicago
River Forest, IL
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completion rate
1,435
completions
Graduate data being added
See the pageBradley University
Peoria, IL
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completion rate
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completions
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See the pageElmhurst University
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completion rate
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completions
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See the pageFor school staff
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Sources: federal figures for Columbia College Chicago. Federal figures from College Scorecard and IPEDS. Occupation pay from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS for Illinois. Counts under 10 are not published.
Updated September 18, 2026 · Methodology · Report a problem with this page