Columbia College Chicago is a private arts, media, and communications institution founded in 1890, located in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Enrolling approximately 5,400 undergraduates, Columbia offers more than 40 undergraduate and graduate programs across film and television, music, photography, journalism, graphic design, fashion, theatre, dance, game design, and architecture. The college is nationally recognized for its Cinema Arts and Television production programs, ranked among the best in the country by Variety and Hollywood Reporter. With no varsity athletics and a curriculum entirely focused on creative arts and professional media, Columbia attracts students from across the country and 71 countries internationally. Its Chicago location provides direct access to a vibrant creative economy, including the city's major film production studios, music industry, advertising market, and journalism organizations.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
—
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$35732
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $34,088
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
