History
Columbia College Chicago was founded in 1890 as the Columbia School of Oratory by Mary A. Blood and Ida Morey Riley, both graduates of the Monroe Conservatory of Oratory (now Emerson College), in Boston, Massachusetts.
Education
We believe a solid foundation in the liberal arts and sciences is essential to any creative career. That’s why every undergraduate must complete the requirements of the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core.
Research
The Center for Black Music Research (CBMR) is an independent research unit of Columbia College Chicago devoted to documentation, research, preservation, and dissemination of information about the history of black music on a global scale.
Career
- The Career Center develops programs and services to provide Columbia College Chicago students with self-knowledge, experience and connections to industry in order to develop career confidence, enhance their employability and pursue meaningful career-related experiences.
- By fostering and maintaining partnerships with faculty, staff, alumni, and employers, the Career Center creates a community of advocates that support students’ interests, passions and values to help navigate the path from college to career.
Columbia College Chicago Key Statistics & Highlights
- 5 Masters
- 315 Scholarships
- 246 Academic Staff
- 6,769 Students
- 53 Students (int'l)
- 4,007 Students (female)
- Private Institution Type
Columbia College Chicago Overview
Columbia College Chicago Scholarships
Columbia College Chicago Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to Columbia College Chicago. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Independent provider
Grant
250000 INR
Deadline
31 May 2026
GyanDhan Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Other Scholarships For Graduate Students
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
72000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF)
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Stipendium Peregrinum
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
33600 EUR
Deadline
01 Jul 2026
Mundus MAPP EMJM Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25600 USD
Deadline
Not specified
Next 100 (Kitas 100)
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
20000 USD
Deadline
31 Mar 2027
Thanks To Scandinavia Grants To Danish Students
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 AUD
Deadline
30 Sep 2026
Veterans’ Fund Indigenous Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 AUD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Veterans’ Fund Graduate Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
31 Jan 2027
Bakala Foundation Scholarship Program
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Becas La Caixa
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
38000 GBP
Deadline
16 Sep 2026
Marshall Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
Fulbright Award For Postgraduate Study
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 USD
Deadline
30 Sep 2026
Study Abroad Graduate Scholarships of Chungcheongnam-do
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
30000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
International Education Center's Study Abroad Programs
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
31 Jul 2026
Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program - Graduate Degree
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
16800 USD
Deadline
01 Oct 2026
German Academic Exchange Service -Scholarships for Exchange Programs
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
11000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
Dositeja Fund For Young Talents Of Serbia
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Fondos En Administración - ICETEX
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
250000 INR
Deadline
31 May 2026
GyanDhan Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Other Scholarships For Graduate Students
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
72000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF)
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Stipendium Peregrinum
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
33600 EUR
Deadline
01 Jul 2026
Mundus MAPP EMJM Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25600 USD
Deadline
Not specified
Next 100 (Kitas 100)
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
20000 USD
Deadline
31 Mar 2027
Thanks To Scandinavia Grants To Danish Students
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 AUD
Deadline
30 Sep 2026
Veterans’ Fund Indigenous Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 AUD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Veterans’ Fund Graduate Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
31 Jan 2027
Bakala Foundation Scholarship Program
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Becas La Caixa
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
38000 GBP
Deadline
16 Sep 2026
Marshall Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
Fulbright Award For Postgraduate Study
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 USD
Deadline
30 Sep 2026
Study Abroad Graduate Scholarships of Chungcheongnam-do
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
30000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
International Education Center's Study Abroad Programs
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
31 Jul 2026
Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program - Graduate Degree
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
16800 USD
Deadline
01 Oct 2026
German Academic Exchange Service -Scholarships for Exchange Programs
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
11000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
Dositeja Fund For Young Talents Of Serbia
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Fondos En Administración - ICETEX
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
250000 INR
Deadline
31 May 2026
GyanDhan Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Other Scholarships For Graduate Students
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
72000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF)
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Stipendium Peregrinum
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
33600 EUR
Deadline
01 Jul 2026
Mundus MAPP EMJM Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25600 USD
Deadline
Not specified
Next 100 (Kitas 100)
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
20000 USD
Deadline
31 Mar 2027
Thanks To Scandinavia Grants To Danish Students
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 AUD
Deadline
30 Sep 2026
Veterans’ Fund Indigenous Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 AUD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Veterans’ Fund Graduate Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
31 Jan 2027
Bakala Foundation Scholarship Program
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Becas La Caixa
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
38000 GBP
Deadline
16 Sep 2026
Marshall Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
Fulbright Award For Postgraduate Study
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 USD
Deadline
30 Sep 2026
Study Abroad Graduate Scholarships of Chungcheongnam-do
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
30000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
International Education Center's Study Abroad Programs
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
31 Jul 2026
Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program - Graduate Degree
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
16800 USD
Deadline
01 Oct 2026
German Academic Exchange Service -Scholarships for Exchange Programs
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
11000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
Dositeja Fund For Young Talents Of Serbia
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Fondos En Administración - ICETEX
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
250000 INR
Deadline
31 May 2026
GyanDhan Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Other Scholarships For Graduate Students
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
72000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF)
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Stipendium Peregrinum
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
33600 EUR
Deadline
01 Jul 2026
Mundus MAPP EMJM Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25600 USD
Deadline
Not specified
Next 100 (Kitas 100)
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
20000 USD
Deadline
31 Mar 2027
Thanks To Scandinavia Grants To Danish Students
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 AUD
Deadline
30 Sep 2026
Veterans’ Fund Indigenous Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 AUD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Veterans’ Fund Graduate Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
31 Jan 2027
Bakala Foundation Scholarship Program
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Becas La Caixa
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
38000 GBP
Deadline
16 Sep 2026
Marshall Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
Fulbright Award For Postgraduate Study
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 USD
Deadline
30 Sep 2026
Study Abroad Graduate Scholarships of Chungcheongnam-do
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
30000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
International Education Center's Study Abroad Programs
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
31 Jul 2026
Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program - Graduate Degree
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
16800 USD
Deadline
01 Oct 2026
German Academic Exchange Service -Scholarships for Exchange Programs
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
11000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
Dositeja Fund For Young Talents Of Serbia
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Fondos En Administración - ICETEX
Read more about eligibility
Columbia College Chicago Student Reviews & Awards
4
Based on 6 reviews
- 5 Star 2 Reviews
- 4 Star 2 Reviews
- 3 Star 2 Reviews
- 2 Star 0 Reviews
- 1 Star 0 Reviews
Great Professors and community
Columbia College offered me the opportunity of exploiting my passion for communications while providing me with resources and materials to engage in real-life practices and examples that allowed me to become more familiar with the field of study.
A Creative and Inspiring Learning Environment
Columbia College Chicago is an excellent choice for students passionate about the arts, media, and communication. The hands-on learning approach, experienced faculty, and industry connections provide valuable real-world experience. The campus is located in the heart of Chicago, offering countless opportunities for internships and networking. What I loved most was the freedom to explore creativity while gaining practical skills. The diverse community and collaborative projects made learning exciting. However, tuition can be expensive, and more financial aid options would be helpful. Overall, it’s a fantastic school for anyone serious about a career in creative fields.
Pricey
Overall decent school just overly priced. Some of the buildings are a lot older so accessibility is sub par in certain areas. They heavily promote how inclusive they are and then when you get here they don't always walk the walk just talk the talk.
Studied here? Share your experience
Student services
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) mission is to provide a nurturing and supportive living and learning environment for Columbia College Chicago's international student community through advocacy, services, programming and advising.
Housing services
Live in the middle of it all. Our residence halls are conveniently located steps from the main campus buildings and close to public transportation. Features and room types vary by building—read below for more info about each residence hall. New freshmen are encouraged to live in on-campus housing their first year.
Library services
The mission of the Columbia College Chicago Library is to support Columbia College Chicago and its academic programs by providing access to information resources and teaching students to evaluate and use them. Our Library has a teaching mission, and is committed to preparing our users to be lifelong learners in an information rich society.
ICT services
The aspiration of the Columbia College Chicago Information Technology department is to provide students with functional technological resources that will act as a catalyst to their academic success. The IT department will provide students with important information on how to access items such as campus Wifi, Loopmail, MyColumbia, Canvas, LinkedIn Learning, and technical support.
Medical services
The Columbia College Chicago Health Center is able to provide outpatient care and diagnosis of the following conditions:
- Upper respiratory infections
- Ear infections
- Sore throat
- Sinusitis
- Allergic rhinitis
- Bladder or yeast infections
- Health counseling
- Minor skin conditions/rashes
- Minor eye conditions such as conjunctivitis
- Identification and referral for treatment of emotional problems
Campus life
Columbia's campus is an accessible, safe place to live and learn. We take seriously our responsibility to keep our students safe, healthy and happy.
Student clubs
- Acoustical Society of America
The Acoustical Society of America is a national organization centered around the study and practice of professional acoustics
- Ad Club
Ad Club is open to all disciplines and will enable students to work on campaigns and collaborate creatively.
- AlphaLab
AlphaLab is a club devoted to the furthering of the Columbia College Chicago game-making community
- Columbia Chicago SPJ
Columbia Chi Chapter of SPJ is devoted to engaging students in freedom of the press issues, learning of ethical problems and upholding of professional standards within the field of journalism.
Accreditation
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
- National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
- National Association of Schools of Theater (NAST)
- National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD)
- Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER)
Columbia College Chicago Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
United States Country
Chicago City