Columbia College Chicago vs Chicago State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Chicago State University comes closer — median earnings $42,778 against a $49,340 total, vs $42,195 at Columbia College Chicago. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Columbia College Chicago | Chicago State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $26,598 | $12,335 |
| Total net cost | $106,392 | $49,340 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,195 | $42,778 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $30,625 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$229,692 | -$160,980 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Columbia College Chicago or Chicago State University?
Chicago State University, at $12,335 a year after aid versus $26,598 — a gap of $14,263 a year, or $57,052 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Columbia College Chicago or Chicago State University graduates earn more?
Chicago State University graduates report a median $42,778 ten years after entry, $583 more than the $42,195 at Columbia College Chicago. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Columbia College Chicago or Chicago State University?
Columbia College Chicago: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $30,625 at Chicago State University, a difference of $5,625. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
52% of students finish at Columbia College Chicago, against 15% at Chicago State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.