Columbia College Chicago (CCC) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Columbia College Chicago
Set in Chicago's South Loop, Columbia College Chicago is known for hands-on learning across media, design, music, film, writing, and the business side of creative work. Classes favor critique, collaboration, and portfolio building. Studios, stages, galleries, edit suites, and equipment checkout sit alongside advising, tutoring, counseling, and a career center tuned to the city.
Campus life feels energetic and DIY, with clubs, student-run media, performances, shows, and easy access to the lakefront and museums. Career prep threads through internships, client projects, and visiting artists, while Chicago's got ties to theaters, agencies, and production houses. A campuswide showcase known as Manifest brings it all into the streets, and alumni include Lena Waithe.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Columbia College Chicago (CCC) offers 48 degree programs across 11 major academic fields, graduating approximately 1,410 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Arts (27 programs, 989 graduates), Media Tech (2 programs, 122 graduates), Communication (7 programs, 108 graduates), English (2 programs, 57 graduates) and Physical Sciences (1 programs, 51 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Arts (27 programs, 989 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinematography and Film Production | 237 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0602 |
| Fashion and Apparel Design | 94 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0407 |
| Graphic Design | 71 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0409 |
| Acting | 71 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0506 |
| Photography | 65 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0605 |
| Illustration | 55 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0410 |
| Game and Interactive Media Design | 45 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0411 |
| Music Management | 41 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.1003 |
| Music | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
| Studio Arts, General | 32 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0702 |
| Musical Theatre | 31 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0509 |
| Interior Design | 29 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0408 |
| Fine and Studio Arts Management | 28 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.1002 |
| Comedy Writing and Performance | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0511 |
| Music | 25 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0999 |
| Dance | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0301 |
| Film and Media Studies | 20 |
|
Master's
|
50.0601 |
| Theatre Arts | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Theatre Design and Technology | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0502 |
| Arts and Media Management | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.1001 |
| Art History and Conservation | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0703 |
| Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 5 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
50.0599 |
| Intermedia and Multimedia | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0706 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0904 |
| Documentary Production | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0607 |
| Music Technology | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0913 |
| Environmental and Social Art | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.1101 |
Media Tech (2 programs, 122 graduates)
Digital Media Technologies and Broadcasting Systems
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animation and Interactive Technology | 111 |
|
Bachelor's
|
10.0304 |
| Recording Arts Technology | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
10.0203 |
Communication (7 programs, 108 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Journalism | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0401 |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0701 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
09.0100 |
| Advertising | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0903 |
| Digital Media and Multimedia | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0702 |
| Photojournalism | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0404 |
| Public Relations and Image Management | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0902 |
English (2 programs, 57 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Writing | 52 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
23.1302 |
| English Language and Literature | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.0101 |
Physical Sciences (1 programs, 51 graduates)
Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acoustics | 51 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0809 |
Business (3 programs, 42 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing Management | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1401 |
| Business Communications | 6 |
|
Master's
|
52.0501 |
| Retail Management | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0212 |
Interdisciplinary (1 programs, 16 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi- and Interdisciplinary Studies | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.9999 |
Computer & IT (1 programs, 9 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Programming | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0201 |
Languages (1 programs, 9 graduates)
Foreign Languages, Literature and Linguistic Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sign Language Interpretation and Translation | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
16.1603 |
Cultural Studies (2 programs, 5 graduates)
Cultural Anthropology, Ethnic Studies and Social Group Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deaf Studies | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0211 |
| Ethnic and Cultural Studies | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
05.0299 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Columbia College Chicago (CCC).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Columbia College Chicago (CCC)
How much does it cost to attend Columbia College Chicago (CCC)?
The annual tuition at Columbia College Chicago (CCC) is $32,520 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $54,288 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $16,838 (on) / $22,000 (off) and books and supplies $1,800.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Columbia College Chicago offer?
Columbia College Chicago (CCC) offers 48 academic programs across 11 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's.
Most popular program areas include:
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (27 programs)
- Digital Media Technologies and Broadcasting Systems (2 programs)
- Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations (7 programs)
- English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis (2 programs)
- Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research (1 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Columbia College Chicago?
Columbia College Chicago (CCC) has an 91.2% acceptance rate and a 22.4% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 7,873
- Students admitted: 7,178
- Students enrolled: 1,608
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Columbia College Chicago?
Columbia College Chicago (CCC) provides financial aid to 25% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $20,851 and average loans of $7,489.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,658
- State/Local grants: $6,618
- Institutional grants: $14,781
- Federal loans: $5,363
The university supports 1,565 students with grants and 855 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Columbia College Chicago graduates?
Columbia College Chicago (CCC) graduates earn a median salary of $32,596 after 6 years and $42,195 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $20,974 (25th percentile) to $65,271 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $68,900 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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