Private school5.4K

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

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 Comedy Writing and Performance

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

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

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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

Performance Track

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Study Abroad

Quick Links

BFA Comedy Writing and Performance

Writing Track

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

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BA Theatre Arts: Production and Practice

Directing

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

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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

Quick Links

BMus Performance and Songwriting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

Virtual Only

Quick Links

BA Music Production

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program Recognition

•Collaborative partnership between School of Theatre and Dance, School of Film and Television, and The Second City

•Comedy cross-training concept: writer/director/performers who create work across mediums

•Focuses on shifting between roles of writer, performer, and producer/director

Notable Alumni

•Aidy Bryant '09 — writer and actor for Saturday Night Live; star of Hulu's Shrill

Professional Development

•Seventeen-year partnership with The Second City for semester-long comedy immersion

•Builds on successful tradition of teaching Improvisation and Sketch Comedy

•96% of 2023 graduates employed or pursuing creative practice within one year

School Info

Snapshot

3.52

Avg GPA (W)

89%

Admit Rate

school-wide

52%

Grad Rate

5.4K

Enrollment

$42K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$37,390

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$66,290

Before aid

Average Net Price

$26,598

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated 2d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Collaborative partnership between School of Theatre and Dance, School of Film and Television, and The Second City

•Comedy cross-training concept: writer/director/performers who create work across mediums

•Focuses on shifting between roles of writer, performer, and producer/director

Notable Alumni

•Aidy Bryant '09 — writer and actor for Saturday Night Live; star of Hulu's Shrill

Professional Development

•Seventeen-year partnership with The Second City for semester-long comedy immersion

•Builds on successful tradition of teaching Improvisation and Sketch Comedy

•96% of 2023 graduates employed or pursuing creative practice within one year

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Collaborative partnership between School of Theatre and Dance, School of Film and Television, and The Second City

•Comedy cross-training concept: writer/director/performers who create work across mediums

•Focuses on shifting between roles of writer, performer, and producer/director

Notable Alumni

•Aidy Bryant '09 — writer and actor for Saturday Night Live; star of Hulu's Shrill

Professional Development

•Seventeen-year partnership with The Second City for semester-long comedy immersion

•Builds on successful tradition of teaching Improvisation and Sketch Comedy

•96% of 2023 graduates employed or pursuing creative practice within one year

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website Common App

Opens

Sep 8, 2026

Official Source

Program AppApplication

Dates

Opens later

Official Source

Scholarship Audition Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Optional audition for scholarship consideration only; it is not required for program admission.

Resume

•Full resume of theatrical, educational, and community activity history

Creative Sample (Optional for Faculty Recognition Award)

•Comedic performance video: 60-90 seconds of original or existing material

•Comedy writing sample: up to five pages

Official Source

Good to Know

Current Cycle

•Fall 2026 applications are closed

•Spring 2027 and Fall 2027 applications open September 8, 2026

•Fall 2027 artistic requirements and material deadlines have not yet been published; the requirements below remain tagged to Fall 2026

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

•The next Faculty Recognition Award deadline has not yet been published

•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

•Video or writing submission is optional and used only for Faculty Recognition Award consideration

•Submit materials through Columbia Connect after your application is processed

•The next BA Faculty Recognition Award submission deadline has not yet been published

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

School Info

Snapshot

3.52

Avg GPA (W)

89%

Admit Rate

school-wide

52%

Grad Rate

5.4K

Enrollment

$42K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$37,390

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$66,290

Before aid

Average Net Price

$26,598

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•Collaborative partnership between School of Theatre and Dance, School of Film and Television, and The Second City

•Comedy cross-training concept: writer/director/performers who create work across mediums

•Focuses on shifting between roles of writer, performer, and producer/director

Notable Alumni

•Aidy Bryant '09 — writer and actor for Saturday Night Live; star of Hulu's Shrill

Professional Development

•Seventeen-year partnership with The Second City for semester-long comedy immersion

•Builds on successful tradition of teaching Improvisation and Sketch Comedy

•96% of 2023 graduates employed or pursuing creative practice within one year

Updated 2d ago