Columbia College Chicago Admissions (2025) | Azimuth

Columbia College Chicago Admissions

Open access — most applicants are admitted

This institution prioritizes access. Your primary consideration should be whether outcomes align with your goals.

89.5%

Acceptance Rate

Peer average: 71%

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Open Access (>75%)

Who Attends — and Succeeds

Understanding institutional priorities and student support

Student Demographics

First-Generation Students

Parents without bachelor's degree

25%

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Pell Grant Recipients

Lower-income students (federal aid)

46%

Transfer Students

Alternative pathway to enrollment

31%

These metrics reflect institutional priorities around access and economic diversity, which inform admissions decisions beyond academic qualifications.

Student Success

Schools to Consider

Compare Columbia College Chicago with similar schools across different dimensions — location, selectivity, outcomes, and affordability.

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Nearby Alternatives

2 schools

Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.

University Of Mount Union• OH

View

Why:

Similar quality tier in Midwest (#30595 ranked)

Frequently Asked Questions about Columbia College Chicago Admissions

Columbia College Chicago is accessible to students with solid academic records. Most admitted students have GPAs of 3.0 or higher. The 89% acceptance rate means most qualified applicants are admitted.

Columbia College Chicago appears to be test-optional, as no SAT or ACT score distributions are reported to federal databases. This is common among schools that adopted test-optional policies during COVID-19. Check Columbia's admissions website to confirm current testing requirements.

Admission to Columbia College Chicago is considered accessible. With an acceptance rate of 89%, admissions are largely open to all qualified applicants with a high school diploma or GED.

Columbia College Chicago uses holistic review, considering academics, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.

Career Outcomes

Graduate earnings, career paths, and long-term value

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Cost & Financial Aid

True costs by income, debt levels, and ROI analysis

Programs & Majors

Program rankings and earnings by major

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