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2026 Rankings for Columbia College Chicago

What ranking badges has Columbia been awarded? Every College Factual accolade Columbia holds are detailed on this page.

Columbia earned 81 ranking badges in College Factual’s 2026 rankings.

Top Rankings for Columbia:

#1 out of 2	#3 out of 3	#4 out of 7	#4 out of 9

Columbia offers graduate-level programs too. See its [graduate-school rankings](/graduate-schools/columbia-college-chicago/rankings/) for graduate-degree badges and placements.

Ranking Highlights

• Quality Rankings
  • Best Colleges Ranking
  • Best Business/Corporate Communications Schools in Illinois Ranking
  • Best Business/Corporate Communications Schools in Illinois Ranking
• Best for the Money Rankings
  • Best Value Bachelor's Degree Schools Ranking
  • Best Value Business/Corporate Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region Ranking
  • Best Value Business/Corporate Communications Schools in Illinois Ranking

How Columbia Ranks in College Factual’s Best Quality Rankings

Top Placement in Best Colleges Ranking

#1,163 out of 3,449.

This makes Columbia a top 10% school for students.

The Best Colleges Ranking identifies the strongest colleges nationwide.

Top Ranked Majors

Columbia has 353 top ranked majors, led by its placement in the Best Business/Corporate Communications Schools in Illinois Ranking.

The best rankings are listed below:

Ranking Name	Rank	Out Of	Details
Best Recording Arts Technology/Technician Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Recording Arts Technology/Technician Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Audiovisual Communications Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Audiovisual Communications Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	10	View Report
Best Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	3	View Report
Best Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	15	View Report
Best Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools in Illinois	1	6	View Report
Best Graphic Communications Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	13	View Report
Best Graphic Communications Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	4	View Report
Best Graphic Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	23	View Report
Best Graphic Communications Schools in Illinois	1	8	View Report
Best Communications Technologies & Support Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	4	View Report
Best Communications Technologies & Support Schools in Illinois	1	8	View Report
Best Fine & Studio Arts Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Fine & Studio Arts Management Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Music Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Music Management Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Fashion Design Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Fashion Design Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Game & Interactive Media Design Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Game & Interactive Media Design Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Illustration Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Illustration Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	1	View Report
Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Bachelor's Degree Schools	1	1	View Report
Best Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	1	View Report
Best Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Schools	1	1	View Report
Best Photography Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	2	View Report
Best Photography Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Photography Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	2	View Report
Best Photography Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Other Music Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Other Music Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Advertising Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Advertising Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Recording Arts Technology/Technician Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	2	View Report
Best Recording Arts Technology/Technician Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	3	View Report
Best Audiovisual Communications Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	4	View Report
Best Communications Technologies & Support Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	14	View Report
Best Communications Technologies & Support Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	29	View Report
Best Arts & Media Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best General Dance Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best General Dance Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Dance Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Dance Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Interior Design Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Musical Theater Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	5	View Report
Best Musical Theater Schools in Illinois	2	5	View Report
Best Theater Design & Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Theater Design & Technology Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Film Studies Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Film & Video Production Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Film & Video Production Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Radio & Television Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	3	4	View Report
Best Audiovisual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region	3	9	View Report
Best Creative Writing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	3	4	View Report
Best Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	3	3	View Report
Best Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Schools in Illinois	3	3	View Report
Best Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	3	3	View Report
Best Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Schools in Illinois	3	3	View Report
Best Music Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	3	3	View Report
Best Music Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region	3	3	View Report
Best Arts & Media Management Schools in Illinois	3	4	View Report
Best Acting Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	3	5	View Report
Best Acting Schools in Illinois	3	5	View Report
Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	3	3	View Report
Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Illinois	3	3	View Report
Best Radio & Television Schools in Illinois	4	5	View Report
Best Fine & Studio Arts Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	4	4	View Report
Best Illustration Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	4	7	View Report
Best Interior Design Schools in Illinois	4	4	View Report
Best Theater Design & Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	4	4	View Report
Best Other Music Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	4	5	View Report
Best Other Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region	4	5	View Report
Best Media Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	5	5	View Report
Best Writing Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	5	6	View Report
Best Fine & Studio Arts Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region	5	6	View Report
Best Illustration Schools in the Great Lakes Region	5	8	View Report
Best Theater Design & Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region	5	5	View Report
Best Communications Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	6	6	View Report
Best Communications Schools in Illinois	6	6	View Report
Best Media Arts Schools in Illinois	6	6	View Report
Best Radio & Television Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	6	11	View Report
Best Radio, Television & Digital Communication Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	6	7	View Report
Best Creative Writing Schools in Illinois	6	7	View Report
Best Game & Interactive Media Design Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	6	6	View Report
Best Game & Interactive Media Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region	6	7	View Report
Best Acting Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	6	11	View Report
Best Acting Schools in the Great Lakes Region	6	11	View Report
Best Musical Theater Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	6	10	View Report
Best Musical Theater Schools in the Great Lakes Region	6	10	View Report
Best Fine Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	6	9	View Report
Best Fine Arts Schools in Illinois	6	10	View Report
Best Public Relations & Advertising Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	7	7	View Report
Best Public Relations & Advertising Schools in Illinois	7	7	View Report
Best Radio & Television Schools in the Great Lakes Region	7	12	View Report
Best Arts & Media Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	7	8	View Report

How Columbia Ranks for Value

Top Value Majors

Columbia has 353 best-value majors, including its placement in the Best Value Business/Corporate Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region Ranking.

The best rankings are listed below:

Ranking Name	Rank	Out Of	Details
Best Value Photojournalism Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Value Photojournalism Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Value Recording Arts Technology/Technician Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Value Recording Arts Technology/Technician Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Value Audiovisual Communications Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Value Audiovisual Communications Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Value General Arts, Entertainment, & Media Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Management Schools in Illinois	1	3	View Report
Best Value Music Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Music Management Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Arts & Media Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Arts & Media Management Schools in Illinois	1	4	View Report
Best Value Fashion Design Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Value Fashion Design Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Value Game & Interactive Media Design Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Game & Interactive Media Design Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Illustration Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Value Illustration Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Value Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	2	View Report
Best Value Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Bachelor's Degree Schools	1	2	View Report
Best Value Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	2	View Report
Best Value Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Schools	1	2	View Report
Best Value Documentary Production Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	2	View Report
Best Value Documentary Production Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Documentary Production Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	2	View Report
Best Value Documentary Production Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Film & Video Production Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Film & Video Production Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Photography Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Value Photography Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Value Intermedia/Multimedia Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Value Intermedia/Multimedia Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Value Recording Arts Technology/Technician Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	2	View Report
Best Value Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	3	View Report
Best Value General Dance Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Value General Dance Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Value Dance Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Value Dance Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Value Interior Design Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Value Film Studies Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	3	View Report
Best Value Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in Illinois	2	3	View Report
Best Value Other Fine Arts & Art Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Value Other Fine Arts & Art Studies Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Value Other Music Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	5	View Report
Best Value Other Music Schools in Illinois	2	5	View Report
Best Value Music Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Value Music Technology Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Value Advertising Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	3	4	View Report
Best Value Advertising Schools in Illinois	3	4	View Report
Best Value Media Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	3	5	View Report
Best Value Media Arts Schools in Illinois	3	6	View Report
Best Value Radio & Television Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	3	4	View Report
Best Value Graphic Communications Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	3	4	View Report
Best Value Communications Technologies & Support Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	3	4	View Report
Best Value Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	3	3	View Report
Best Value Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Schools in Illinois	3	3	View Report
Best Value Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	3	3	View Report
Best Value Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Schools in Illinois	3	3	View Report
Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	3	7	View Report
Best Value Music Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	3	6	View Report
Best Value Music Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region	3	6	View Report
Best Value Illustration Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	3	8	View Report
Best Value Public Relations Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	4	4	View Report
Best Value Public Relations Schools in Illinois	4	4	View Report
Best Value Radio & Television Schools in Illinois	4	5	View Report
Best Value Audiovisual Communications Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	4	4	View Report
Best Value Creative Writing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	4	5	View Report
Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region	4	9	View Report
Best Value Arts & Media Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	4	8	View Report
Best Value Acting Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	4	7	View Report
Best Value Acting Schools in Illinois	4	7	View Report
Best Value Theater Design & Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	4	6	View Report
Best Value Theater Design & Technology Schools in Illinois	4	6	View Report
Best Value Photography Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	4	6	View Report
Best Value Music Theory & Composition Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	4	7	View Report
Best Value Music Theory & Composition Schools in Illinois	4	7	View Report
Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	5	7	View Report
Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in Illinois	5	7	View Report
Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	5	7	View Report
Best Value Recording Arts Technology/Technician Schools in the Great Lakes Region	5	5	View Report
Best Value Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	5	10	View Report
Best Value Creative Writing Schools in Illinois	5	8	View Report
Best Value Writing Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	5	6	View Report
Best Value Arts & Media Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region	5	11	View Report
Best Value Interior Design Schools in Illinois	5	5	View Report
Best Value Musical Theater Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	5	7	View Report
Best Value Musical Theater Schools in Illinois	5	7	View Report
Best Value Intermedia/Multimedia Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	5	5	View Report
Best Value Intermedia/Multimedia Schools in the Great Lakes Region	5	5	View Report
Best Value Communications Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	6	7	View Report
Best Value Communications Schools in Illinois	6	7	View Report
Best Value Photojournalism Bachelor's Degree Schools	6	8	View Report
Best Value Photojournalism Schools	6	8	View Report
Best Value Radio, Television & Digital Communication Schools in Illinois	6	9	View Report
Best Value Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects Schools in Illinois	6	7	View Report
Best Value Writing Studies Schools in Illinois	6	9	View Report

More About the Rankings

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Notes and References

These rankings are drawn from U.S. Department of Education data, 2026 edition.

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.