Columbia College Chicago: programs, outcomes and local jobs

Columbia College Chicago at a glance

• 5,368

  students enrolled

• 1,395

  degrees and certificates a year

• 52%

  of students complete

  College Scorecard

• $26,598

  average net price a year

  Tuition $30,734

• $32,596

  median earnings, 6 years after entry

• $42,195

  median earnings, 10 years after entry

  85% working

Executive education programs and Career retraining programs listed on its site.

What students study

AI and data programs

Columbia College Chicago reported no degrees or certificates in artificial intelligence, data science, data analytics or robotics for 2024. A new program with no graduates yet would not appear here.

The job market around Columbia College Chicago

Professional jobs listed in the cities of Cook County, where the college is.

• 9,905

  open professional jobs

• 987

  entry level

  72 say no experience is needed

• 11%

  ask for AI skills

  1,072 jobs

• 5.9%

  unemployment in Cook County

  2026-08 · up 1.2 points from a year earlier

• $81,797

  median household income

  Cook County

• 46%

  of workers are in professional jobs

  estimated 4.0% unemployment among them

Jobs that fit what students study here: most degrees are in visual & performing arts, communications technology, communication & journalism, which lead to design (163 open), marketing (506 open).

Hiring most: Mars (81), Arthur J. Gallagher (79), Gallagher Bassett (74), Gallagher (72), West Monroe (71), Michael Page (69), PwC (69), UL Solutions (68).

What they hire for: Finance (1,555), Sales (1,441), Engineering (1,350), Operations (959), Data & Analytics (688), Marketing (506). Finance jobs

Job search help near campus

Workforce board: LWIA 7.

• American Job Center at the King CenterChicago · 773-538-5627 · Monday 08:30-17:00, Tuesday 08:30-17:00, Wednesday 08:30-17:00, Thursday 08:30-17:00, Friday 08:30-17:00,
• American Job Center at Truman CollegeChicago · Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• American Job Center in MaywoodMaywood · 708-223-2652 · Monday-Friday 08:30-17:00
• American Job Center in North RiversideNorth Riverside · 708-222-3100 · 8:30am -5:00pm Monday - Friday
• American Job Center in PilsenChicago · 312-994-8305 · Monday 08:30-17:00, Tuesday 08:30-17:00, Wednesday 08:30-17:00, Thursday 08:30-17:00, Friday 08:30-17:00
• American Job Center in WheelingWheeling Illinois · 847-484-8187 · Monday 08:30-17:00, Tuesday 08:30-17:00, Wednesday 08:30-17:00, Thursday 08:30-17:00, Friday 08:30-17:00

American Job Centers are free, public career offices.

Similar colleges in Illinois

• National Louis UniversityChicago · 4,406 students
• Lewis UniversityRomeoville · 4,015 students
• Aurora UniversityAurora · 3,974 students
• Bradley UniversityPeoria · 3,574 students
• University of ChicagoChicago · 7,569 students
• Saint Xavier UniversityChicago · 3,096 students

All Illinois colleges

Common questions

How big is Columbia College Chicago?

Columbia College Chicago enrolls about 5,368 students and is a private nonprofit 4-year institution in Chicago, Illinois. It awards about 1,395 degrees and certificates a year.

What is the graduation rate at Columbia College Chicago?

52% of students complete, from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS 2023 / Scorecard 2026-06).

What do Columbia College Chicago graduates earn?

Median earnings of students who received federal aid are $32,596 six years after entry and $42,195 ten years after entry, from the College Scorecard.

Does Columbia College Chicago offer AI or data science degrees?

Columbia College Chicago reported no degrees or certificates in artificial intelligence, data science, data analytics or robotics for 2024 (IPEDS completions). A new program with no graduates yet would not appear.

Are there jobs near Columbia College Chicago?

9,905 open professional jobs are listed in Cook County, 987 of them entry level and 72 saying no experience is needed. Mars has the most openings.