Syracuse University vs Columbia College

Syracuse University and Columbia College Chicago, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Syracuse, a private research university in New York, boasts a lower acceptance rate (44%) compared to Columbia College Chicago's (80%). Syracuse students pursue diverse majors, with popular choices including engineering, business, and communications, while Columbia College Chicago emphasizes the arts, with majors like film, music, and theater topping the list. Syracuse's larger student body reflects its broader range of academic offerings, while Columbia College Chicago fosters a more intimate learning environment. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Syracuse at 86% and Columbia College Chicago at 78%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these institutions and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Columbia College Chicago logo

Columbia College Chicago

Syracuse University logo

Syracuse University

Overview

Location Chicago, Illinois Syracuse, New York
Campus setting City: Large City: Midsize
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 62.0% 90.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 95.6% 59.2%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $60
Undergraduate: $85

Graduate: $75
SAT range N/A 1220 - 1400
ACT range N/A 27 - 32
Students submitting SAT score 25.0%
Students submitting ACT score 13.0%
Total number of applicants 7,218 39,682
Total number of admissions given out 6,903 23,489
Admitted students who chose to enroll 1,696 3,765
Yield rate 24.6% 16.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Not required Not required
Recommendation letters Not required Required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Not required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $48,698 $77,896
Average net price $25,262 $43,545
Tuition $26,610 $55,920
Room & board $16,456
Room/dormitory: $9,075

Meal plan: $7,820
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Prepaid tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

99.0%
Average amount $20,992
86.0%
Average amount $31,590
Students receiving federal student loan 94.0%
Average amount $6,068
37.0%
Average amount $5,350
Students taking out private loans 6.0%
Average amount $19,315
7.0%
Average amount $26,377

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 6,493
Men 40.0% Women 60.0%
14,778
Men 45.4% Women 54.6%
Graduate students 243
Men 38.7% Women 61.3%
6,994
Men 48.0% Women 52.0%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Low
Out-of-state students 46.1% 67.2%
International students 4.0% 16.9%
Campus local/setting City: Large City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity 2,158 8,291
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Illinois Indiana Michigan Minnesota Ohio New York New Jersey Mississippi California Pennsylvania

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Communications Technology
  • Communication and Journalism
  • English Language and Literature
  • Business
  • Business
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Engineering
  • Communication and Journalism
  • Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio 14:1 14:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome

Graduation rate 50.9% 82.4%
Dropout rate 48.5% 17.0%
Transferred out N/A N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,418
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: $48,304
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $34,500
  • Year 2: $36,124
  • Year 3: $46,919
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,614
  • Year 2: $41,789
  • Year 3: $41,739
Movement and Mind-Body Therapies and Education (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,521
  • Year 2: $41,565
  • Year 3: $41,719
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $36,175
  • Year 2: $40,355
  • Year 3: $41,194
Graphic Communications (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $22,857
  • Year 2: $33,993
  • Year 3: $40,498
American Sign Language (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,692
  • Year 2: $35,330
  • Year 3: $38,260
Journalism (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $30,841
  • Year 2: $30,635
  • Year 3: $37,241
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,669
  • Year 2: $31,133
  • Year 3: $37,111
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $29,065
  • Year 2: $29,737
  • Year 3: $36,271
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $78,789
  • Year 2: $88,195
  • Year 3: $94,942
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $98,396
  • Year 2: $77,966
  • Year 3: $88,763
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,925
  • Year 2: $66,989
  • Year 3: $82,179
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,264
  • Year 2: $64,087
  • Year 3: $79,186
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $60,439
  • Year 2: $66,653
  • Year 3: $79,132
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,871
  • Year 2: $62,343
  • Year 3: $77,924
Business/Managerial Economics (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $62,674
  • Year 3: $77,843
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $60,673
  • Year 2: $67,101
  • Year 3: $76,227
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $59,689
  • Year 2: $56,776
  • Year 3: $74,295
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,229
  • Year 2: $61,303
  • Year 3: $73,883

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