Chicago, IL · Private University
Is Columbia College Chicago Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$42,195
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$32,520
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$32,520
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$130,080
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.30x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
18.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
48.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$25,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$26,788
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Columbia College Chicago graduates earn $2,805 less than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Columbia College Chicago ranked by graduate earnings
94 graduates
79 graduates
64 graduates
75 graduates
68 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Columbia College Chicago
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic CommunicationsBest ROI | $56,600 | 1.7x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $52,782 | 1.6x |
| Marketing | $46,348 | 1.4x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $44,687 | 1.4x |
| Journalism | $43,458 | 1.3x |
| American Sign Language | $43,072 | 1.3x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $38,875 | 1.2x |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | $38,837 | 1.2x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $38,783 | 1.2x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $38,547 | 1.2x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $36,210 | 1.1x |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $35,756 | 1.1x |
| Music | $31,880 | 1.0x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $31,358 | 1.0x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $30,733 | 0.9x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $27,628 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Columbia College Chicago delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $42,195 10 years after starting, $2,805 below the national median of $45,000. At the current earnings trajectory, it takes approximately 18.1 years to recover the total cost of attendance.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.