Private school5.4K

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL

HSITest-FreeLGBTQ+

Start free for 7 days

Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

25-40 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

25-40 Students

Browse programs

Quick Links

BA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

25-40 Students

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 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

25-40 Students

Quick Links

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 AbroadTransfer In Friendly

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

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

Training

•Students perform in up to 40 productions annually — new students encouraged to audition immediately

•Hands-on learning through musicals, student films, and devised work

•Faculty are working professionals with experience across Chicago, New York, and beyond

Notable Alumni

•Chase Infiniti '22 — feature film debut alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in One Battle After Another; appeared on Apple TV+'s Presumed Innocent

•Rob Colletti '11 — Broadway debut in The Book of Mormon; lead in School of Rock national tour

Location

•Located in heart of Chicago theatre district with connections to innovative storefront theaters

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

Degree Flexibility

•BA offers flexibility to explore other subjects or double major while gaining solid foundation in musical theatre

•Both BA and BFA programs offer equal opportunities to audition for Columbia productions

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 Jun 26, 4:42 AM

Program Highlights

Training

•Students perform in up to 40 productions annually — new students encouraged to audition immediately

•Hands-on learning through musicals, student films, and devised work

•Faculty are working professionals with experience across Chicago, New York, and beyond

Notable Alumni

•Chase Infiniti '22 — feature film debut alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in One Battle After Another; appeared on Apple TV+'s Presumed Innocent

•Rob Colletti '11 — Broadway debut in The Book of Mormon; lead in School of Rock national tour

Location

•Located in heart of Chicago theatre district with connections to innovative storefront theaters

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

Degree Flexibility

•BA offers flexibility to explore other subjects or double major while gaining solid foundation in musical theatre

•Both BA and BFA programs offer equal opportunities to audition for Columbia productions

Program Highlights

Training

•Students perform in up to 40 productions annually — new students encouraged to audition immediately

•Hands-on learning through musicals, student films, and devised work

•Faculty are working professionals with experience across Chicago, New York, and beyond

Notable Alumni

•Chase Infiniti '22 — feature film debut alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in One Battle After Another; appeared on Apple TV+'s Presumed Innocent

•Rob Colletti '11 — Broadway debut in The Book of Mormon; lead in School of Rock national tour

Location

•Located in heart of Chicago theatre district with connections to innovative storefront theaters

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

Degree Flexibility

•BA offers flexibility to explore other subjects or double major while gaining solid foundation in musical theatre

•Both BA and BFA programs offer equal opportunities to audition for Columbia productions

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2026

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.

Songs

Two Songs

•Submit two contrasting songs from the musical theatre canon

•One song should be a ballad and one should be up-tempo

•One song should be written before 1970 and the other after 1970

•Each selection should run 60-90 seconds including the slate

•Film songs in a three-quarter shot with your head to knees visible

Song and Monologue

•Submit one musical theatre song and one contemporary monologue

•Sing with musical accompaniment; no a cappella singing

Monologues

Optional Monologue

•If choosing the song-and-monologue route, submit one contemporary monologue

•Use a play or musical rather than television, film, or dialect material

•Keep it age-appropriate

•Limit the file to 60 seconds including the slate

•Film in close-up with your head to mid-chest visible

Dance

Both Provided Combinations

•Submit both provided dance combinations from the Columbia admissions page

One Provided Plus One Additional

•Submit one provided combination

•Add one additional combination showing your strongest style or technique

•Extra style may include Hip-Hop, Tap, Acrobatics, West African, African-Caribbean, Latin, Ballroom, or similar

•Do not include barre work

Wildcard / Special Skill

•Submit a 30-second personal artistic statement video

•May address areas of interest such as performance, teaching, choreography, or actor/musicianship

•May also share what makes you unique as an artist who would flourish at Columbia

Additional Materials

Resume

•Full resume of theatrical history including name of show, role played, and venue

Headshot

•Full-color headshot

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 Musical Theatre admission

•Portfolio or audition submission is optional but strongly 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

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

Training

•Students perform in up to 40 productions annually — new students encouraged to audition immediately

•Hands-on learning through musicals, student films, and devised work

•Faculty are working professionals with experience across Chicago, New York, and beyond

Notable Alumni

•Chase Infiniti '22 — feature film debut alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in One Battle After Another; appeared on Apple TV+'s Presumed Innocent

•Rob Colletti '11 — Broadway debut in The Book of Mormon; lead in School of Rock national tour

Location

•Located in heart of Chicago theatre district with connections to innovative storefront theaters

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

Degree Flexibility

•BA offers flexibility to explore other subjects or double major while gaining solid foundation in musical theatre

•Both BA and BFA programs offer equal opportunities to audition for Columbia productions

Updated Jun 26, 4:42 AM