Private school5.4K

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL

HSITest-FreeLGBTQ+

Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

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Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Study Abroad

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Study Abroad

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BA Acting for Stage and Screen

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Study Abroad

Quick Links

BFA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective25-40 Students

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BA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

25-40 Students

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BA Dance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Quick Links

BFA Acting for Stage and Screen

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

SelectiveStudy Abroad

Quick Links

BFA Comedy Writing and Performance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Quick Links

BA Theatre Arts: Production and Practice

Theatre Arts

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Quick Links

BA Theatre Arts: Production and Practice

Directing

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Quick Links

BA Theatre Arts: Production and Practice

Playwriting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Quick Links

BA Theatre Arts: Production and Practice

Stage Management

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Quick Links

BA Theatre Arts: Production and Practice

Design and Technology

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Quick Links

BA Comedy Writing and Performance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Study Abroad

Quick Links

BA Acting for Stage and Screen

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Study Abroad

Training

•Forward-thinking curriculum rooted in dynamic and varied approaches to training

•Cross-disciplinary collaborations with School of Film and Television for on-camera opportunities

•Training encourages individual growth, creative collaboration, and critical cultural engagement

Notable Alumni

•Joseph Sikora '98 — star of Power and Power Book IV: Force on Starz; Jeff Award nominee

•Caroline Neff '07 — acclaimed Steppenwolf Theatre actor, honored in Chicago Tribune's Best of 2025

•Anne Trodden '09 — praised for her portrayal of Harper Pitt in Angels in America

•Ryan Hake '14 — recognized for his performance as Prior Walter in Angels in America

Professional Development

•Professional internships and career readiness courses

•Opportunity to audition for Acting Senior Showcase, a platform for entry into Chicago's professional performance community

•Wide variety of minors available to enhance knowledge and professional networks

Academic info

Snapshot

3.52

Avg GPA (W)

89%

Admit Rate

school-wide

50%

Grad Rate

5.4K

Enrollment

$42K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$26,598

after typical aid

Tuition & Fees

$34,088

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$20,924

$30-48k$21,423

$48-75k$25,590

$75-110k$31,677

$110k+$36,436

View full data on College Scorecard

Program info updated May 27, 1:16 AM

Program Highlights

Training

•Forward-thinking curriculum rooted in dynamic and varied approaches to training

•Cross-disciplinary collaborations with School of Film and Television for on-camera opportunities

•Training encourages individual growth, creative collaboration, and critical cultural engagement

Notable Alumni

•Joseph Sikora '98 — star of Power and Power Book IV: Force on Starz; Jeff Award nominee

•Caroline Neff '07 — acclaimed Steppenwolf Theatre actor, honored in Chicago Tribune's Best of 2025

•Anne Trodden '09 — praised for her portrayal of Harper Pitt in Angels in America

•Ryan Hake '14 — recognized for his performance as Prior Walter in Angels in America

Professional Development

•Professional internships and career readiness courses

•Opportunity to audition for Acting Senior Showcase, a platform for entry into Chicago's professional performance community

•Wide variety of minors available to enhance knowledge and professional networks

Program Highlights

Training

•Forward-thinking curriculum rooted in dynamic and varied approaches to training

•Cross-disciplinary collaborations with School of Film and Television for on-camera opportunities

•Training encourages individual growth, creative collaboration, and critical cultural engagement

Notable Alumni

•Joseph Sikora '98 — star of Power and Power Book IV: Force on Starz; Jeff Award nominee

•Caroline Neff '07 — acclaimed Steppenwolf Theatre actor, honored in Chicago Tribune's Best of 2025

•Anne Trodden '09 — praised for her portrayal of Harper Pitt in Angels in America

•Ryan Hake '14 — recognized for his performance as Prior Walter in Angels in America

Professional Development

•Professional internships and career readiness courses

•Opportunity to audition for Acting Senior Showcase, a platform for entry into Chicago's professional performance community

•Wide variety of minors available to enhance knowledge and professional networks

Key Info

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website Common App

Deadline

PriorityMar 15, 2026

Regular DecisionRolling

Program AppApplication

Deadline

Portfolio SubmissionJan 15, 2026

Scholarship Audition Requirements

Optional audition for scholarship consideration - not required for program admission.

Monologues

TWO CONTRASTING MONOLOGUES (optional — for Faculty Recognition Award)

•60-90 seconds each

•Total video runtime: maximum 3 minutes

•Recorded in a well-lit environment with high-quality audio

Additional Materials

Resume

•Full theatrical resume covering educational, community, and performance history

Writing Sample

•Short personal statement outlining goals for enrollment at Columbia College Chicago

Official Source

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Submit portfolio/audition materials via Columbia Connect after the college application is processed

•Common App users should allow 24 hours for Columbia Connect access

•Faculty Recognition Award is only available to fall applicants

Important Notes

•BA/BS portfolio and audition materials are due by January 15 for Faculty Recognition Award consideration

•After the award deadline, late submissions may be reviewed for first-semester placement but are not scholarship-eligible

What's The Process

Audition Expectations

•No audition is required for BA program admission

•Portfolio or audition submission is optional but encouraged

•Submission is the only way to be considered for the Faculty Recognition Award

•Submit materials through Columbia Connect after your application is processed

•Submission deadline for BA applicants is January 15, 2026

Scholarship Info

Faculty Recognition Award

•Columbia College Chicago's talent-based scholarship program for new, incoming students

•Awards range from $500 to full-tuition

•Up to five full-tuition awards available annually

•Renewable each year up to 120 credit hours or four years (requires full-time enrollment, 2.0 GPA, 67% completion rate)

•Applied toward tuition only

•Available only to students who submit portfolio/audition materials

Academic info

Snapshot

3.52

Avg GPA (W)

89%

Admit Rate

school-wide

50%

Grad Rate

5.4K

Enrollment

$42K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$26,598

after typical aid

Tuition & Fees

$34,088

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$20,924

$30-48k$21,423

$48-75k$25,590

$75-110k$31,677

$110k+$36,436

View full data on College Scorecard

Training

•Forward-thinking curriculum rooted in dynamic and varied approaches to training

•Cross-disciplinary collaborations with School of Film and Television for on-camera opportunities

•Training encourages individual growth, creative collaboration, and critical cultural engagement

Notable Alumni

•Joseph Sikora '98 — star of Power and Power Book IV: Force on Starz; Jeff Award nominee

•Caroline Neff '07 — acclaimed Steppenwolf Theatre actor, honored in Chicago Tribune's Best of 2025

•Anne Trodden '09 — praised for her portrayal of Harper Pitt in Angels in America

•Ryan Hake '14 — recognized for his performance as Prior Walter in Angels in America

Professional Development

•Professional internships and career readiness courses

•Opportunity to audition for Acting Senior Showcase, a platform for entry into Chicago's professional performance community

•Wide variety of minors available to enhance knowledge and professional networks

Updated May 27, 1:16 AM

Columbia College Chicago

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Scholarship Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

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Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Scholarship Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info

Columbia College Chicago

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Scholarship Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Scholarship Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info