Cost & ROI · 2026
Is Columbia College Chicago worth it?
Pay $26,598/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $42,195 ten years out — about 1.6× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: D.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
Columbia College Chicago vs Illinois avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Illinois college and the typical US college.
| Metric | Columbia College Chicago | Illinois avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▼ $26,598 | $18,082 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $42,195 | $54,042 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $25,000 | $20,325 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 51.6% | 53.7% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 89.5% | 72.7% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $207,556 over four years. Most students get $25,291/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $25,000 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 59% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're below the recommended ceiling.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median Columbia College Chicago grad earns about -$112,200 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about Columbia College Chicago
The average student at Columbia College Chicago pays $26,598 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $51,889 published sticker price. That is above the IL average net price of $18,082.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $42,195 — below the IL median of $54,042. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $25,000, roughly $271 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a moderate load at about 59% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Illinois colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of Columbia College Chicago.
Deerfield, IL · Private Non-Profit Trinity International University-Illinois A+ Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at Columbia College Chicago?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $26,598 per year. That's $25,291/yr in financial aid against the $51,889 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $106,392.
How much do Columbia College Chicago graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Columbia College Chicago graduates earn a median of $42,195 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 1.6× the annual net cost.
How much debt do Columbia College Chicago graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $25,000 — about $271/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 55.5% of students take federal loans.
Is Columbia College Chicago worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns Columbia College Chicago a value grade of D — top 91% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $26,598/yr, earn $42,195/yr ten years out, ROI score of 3.97. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at Columbia College Chicago?
46% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 55.5% take federal student loans. On average, students get $25,291 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at Columbia College Chicago?
In-state tuition is $34,088 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $34,088 per year — a difference of $0/yr or $0 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at Columbia College Chicago?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $20,924. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $36,436. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →