Columbia College Chicago
Il · Private · 100% graduation rate
Columbia College Chicago is a private university in Il with a 100% graduation rate. We track 20 majors with debt-to-earnings ROI analysis. The highest-ROI major is Computer Programming (grade A), with median debt of $22K and year-5 earnings of $147K. Data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and NCES IPEDS.
ROI by Major
Debt and earnings data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI grades compare median student debt at graduation to earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, adjusted for NCES IPEDS graduation rates.
| Major | Median Debt | Year 1 Earnings | Year 5 Earnings | ROI Grade | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Programming | $22K | $95K | $147K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Marketing | $26K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Physics | $22K | $65K | $90K | B | BUY |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $26K | $52K | $72K | B | BUY |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies | $26K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| Graphic Communications | $26K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $26K | $52K | $69K | B | BUY |
| Communication and Media Studies | $26K | $52K | $69K | B | BUY |
| American Sign Language | $26K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $26K | $52K | $69K | B | BUY |
| Journalism | $26K | $52K | $69K | B | BUY |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $28K | $48K | $64K | C | BUY |
| Design and Applied Arts | $28K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $28K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $28K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | $28K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
| Music | $28K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $28K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
| Dance | $28K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $26K | $45K | $60K | C | BUY |
Similar Schools in Il
How Columbia College Chicago Compares
Columbia College Chicago graduates carry a median debt of $27K across tracked majors, which is $516 less than the private universities average of $27K. Year-1 earnings average $51K, about $6K below peers of the same type. Within Il, the per-major debt average is $26K, so this school sits $730 above the state median. Its composite ROI score of 67 is 4 points below the private universities baseline (71). Graduation rate of 100% is a primary ROI driver, since it determines how many students actually reach the earnings levels listed. Across the full site (2202 schools), the debt average is $26K.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your major. The highest-ROI major at Columbia College Chicago earns a grade of A, with median debt of $22K and year-5 earnings of $147K. Compare debt-to-earnings ratios across majors before deciding.
Columbia College Chicago has a 100% graduation rate. A higher graduation rate generally correlates with better student support and outcomes, which can impact your return on investment.
Median debt varies significantly by major at Columbia College Chicago. For example, Computer Programming graduates have median debt of $22K. Review the ROI by Major table above for a full breakdown.
The top-earning major is Computer Programming with median year-5 earnings of $147K. We rank each major by its debt-to-earnings ROI score to help you compare options.
Explore College ROI Data
ROI scores are calculated by comparing median debt at graduation to median earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, weighted by graduation rate. Grades range from A (strong return) to F (poor return).