Columbia College Chicago
WELCOMES THE WORLD ABOUT US Columbia College Chicago offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees within a distinctive curriculum that blends visual, performing, and media arts, with technology, and business skills. Chicago is a global metropolis of nearly three million people located in the center of the United States—and Columbia is situated right in the middle of it all. We like to think of the city as an extension of our campus. As a Columbia student you’ll have theatres, galleries, restaurants, parks, museums, and concert venues to explore whenever you’re not in class—and sometimes when you are. Your time at Columbia will be filled with opportunities to engage with Chicago’s history, culture, and commerce.
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IN THEIR WORDS: FINDING A HOME IN COLUMBIA’S CREATIVE COMMUNITY
CELINE BERGER
NANNA GALLI
Frankfurt, Germany Acting BFA they/them
São Paulo, Brazil Strategic Communication MA she/her
“This place is creative, this place is breathing art, and you want to be part of this community. Trust me.”
“I found the perfect creative environment. I felt safe to explore new paths and new experiences within my field.”
DIEGO MADRIGAL
FEIHONG GUO
Naucalpan, Mexico Film and Television BFA he/him
Beijing, China Arts Management BA he/him
“Columbia has been a great place for me to feel at home even though I’m far away from Mexico City.”
“Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and explore what’s available for you to discover across Columbia’s campus.”
Columbia College Chicago Welcomes the World
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT COST AND SCHOLARSHIPS 2026–2027 ANNUAL COSTS Estimated Annual Tuition and Fees:
$37,390 Estimated Annual Room and Board:
$24,000 96% of international students received a renewable scholarship. Every applicant is automatically considered for merit scholarships. Portfolios and auditions submitted by the deadline are also reviewed for talent scholarships. The average total scholarships of enrolled international students is $14,759 per year for four years. Scholarship funds are typically divided evenly between the fall and spring semesters.
TAKE PART IN THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT BUDDY PROGRAM! The Buddy Program connects you with a current Columbia student who will support you before and after your arrival in Chicago. Your Buddy will share tips about campus life, introduce you to the city, and help you navigate your transition to becoming part of the Columbia College Chicago community.
APPLICATION DEADLINES AND REQUIREMENTS Deadlines and requirements are specific to your intended major. You can find more about yours at colum.edu/apply The priority deadline for all programs is Sunday, November 1, 2026. We will continue to accept applications on a rolling basis after November 1, but it is to your advantage to meet the earlier deadline for admission and scholarship consideration. Certain BFA and BMus programs will close their application on Tuesday, December 1, 2026. Other programs may be available as late as Thursday, April 1, 2027. Please apply as early as possible. What to submit • Completed application • Offcial secondary school transcripts (translated into English if issued in another language) • English proficiency test scores • Portfolio or audition—required for BFA and BMus applicants and strongly recommended for BA and BS applicants seeking maximum scholarship consideration You will submit your portfolio or audition through Columbia Connect, our applicant portal. We’ll email login instructions after you’ve submitted your application.
AFTER GRADUATION International students can work for up to one year in the US through Optional Practical Training (OPT). Eligible F-1 graduates may apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows up to one year of work in the U.S. in their field of study. OPT requires federal approval, and Columbia’s International Student and Scholar Services office guides students through it. When your time at Columbia is done, you’ll be one of nearly 60,000 alumni working worldwide in the arts, entertainment, media, and communications industries. A few of the places where you’ll find Columbia College Chicago alums: HBO, Chicago Humanities Festival, FCB Chicago, Gensler, Lands’ End, CBS, Leo Burnett, Lyric Opera, Ravinia Festival, Steppenwolf Theatre, Anthropologie, NBC Universal, NASA, Chicago Sun-Times, and many others.
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