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Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL

89.5%

Acceptance Rate

$34,088

Avg Cost (In-State)

$34,088

Avg Cost (Out-of-State)

49.9%

Graduation Rate

5,368

Total Enrollment

Popular programs

Film/Cinema ProductionPhotographyTheatreMusicCreative WritingFashion DesignGame Design

Application requirements

Regular Deadline

Rolling admissions

Common App

Yes

Test Policy

Test Optional

Essays Required

1

Letters of Rec

0

Interview

Not required

Essays: Personal statement required describing interest in chosen creative field

Note: Portfolio or audition may be required for certain programs

Requirements are AI-generated from public data and may change. Always verify directly with the college.

Getting there

From:
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Graduate outcomes

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

$32,596

Median Earnings at 6 Years

median graduate salary 6 years after starting

$42,195

Median Earnings at 10 Years

median graduate salary 10 years after starting

50%

4-Year Graduation Rate

students completing degree within 4 years

Earnings data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Figures reflect federal aid recipients only — actual median earnings may be higher at schools where many students receive grants rather than loans.

Earnings by major

Median earnings 1 year after graduation, by bachelor's program. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard FieldOfStudy data.

ProgramMedian earnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Graduates
Film/Video and Photographic Arts.$23,905$41,200489
Design and Applied Arts.$29,630$48,601408
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.$17,929$39,986304
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management.$23,844$50,592182
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication.$24,191$54,357104
Music.$19,943$40,73499
Graphic Communications.$26,309$43,97094
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians.$20,927$43,73191

Tracked through federal tax records. Programs with fewer than 30 graduates with reported earnings are privacy-suppressed. 4-year figure tracks the same cohort 3 years later.

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KidToCollege is free to use and editorially independent. Data sourced from public records including IPEDS, Common Data Sets, College Board and FAFSA.gov. Always verify deadlines and requirements directly with institutions. Not a guarantee of admission or financial aid.