Comedy Careers Start at Columbia
Launch Your Comedy Career at a Top College for Comedy
Earn your bachelor's degree in Comedy Writing and Performance at Columbia College Chicago, in a city home to one of the most vibrant comedy scenes in the world. The degrees in comedy writing (both the flexible BA and the more rigorous BFA) deliver the cross-training you need to navigate comedy across a wide spectrum of media, from stage to television to internet-based content. Then, during a semester at The Second City, you'll train like a professional comedian while building collaboration skills, creative risk-taking, and a bold personal voice.
As a comedy major at Columbia, you can expect to:
- Write boldly and perform fearlessly. Jump into stand-up, sketch writing, and improv while studying comedy legends and the mechanics of humor across genres.
- Train in the comedy capital. Study comedy in Chicago—home to The Second City, iO Theatre Chicago, The Annoyance Theatre and Bar, and The Onion—and connect to a thriving live comedy scene.
- Take the stage at The Second City. Cap off your degree with a 15-week immersive capstone where you'll write, rehearse, and perform an original show on a professional stage.
Plus, as a student at a top comedy college, you'll be connected with internships in Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Chicago's comedy community. You'll be in good company—our alumni network includes writers and performers for “Saturday Night Life,” late-night television, and major streaming platforms. Connect with Columbia today and get started on your creative future.
Learn More About Columbia College Chicago
Let us know the best way to reach you by filling out the form below and we'll send important information about applying to Columbia straight to your inbox!
Live in a City at the Forefront of Comedy and Culture
At Columbia, your campus is the city. Our South Loop location puts you steps from world-class museums, theaters, comedy clubs, and media outlets, meaning inspiration and opportunity are never far away. Chicago is a living lab where you'll test ideas, build meaningful connections, and gain real-world experience.
Plus, as a full-time student, you'll have a Ventra U-Pass, giving you unlimited access to the city's transit system so you can explore every area of Chicago with ease. From grabbing food with friends to walking through exhibits at the Art Institute, the city is part of everyday life.
A High-Level Look at the Comedy Degree
Create and Perform on a Professional Stage
Learn in a City That's Launched Generations of Comedy Talent
Alumni Have Earned Tony, Emmy, and Academy Awards
Creative Careers Start at Columbia
Columbia grads launch creative careers across industries—from design and media to performance, business, and tech. 96% of recent graduates reported being employed, continuing their education, or achieving success in their creative practice within a year.
Graduates of the comedy degree program are prepared for a wide range of creative careers, including comedy podcast producer, comedy writer, improv performer, late-night TV writer, sitcom script supervisor, sketch writer, and stand-up comedian.
"I knew my comedic voice, and it's really all thanks to my time in Chicago."
— Aidy Bryant '09
Columbia Makes a Creative Education More Affordable
A Columbia degree is an investment in your creativity—and we're committed to making it accessible. With 99 percent of first-year students receiving financial aid, you'll find the support you need to focus on what matters most: creating.
Ways Columbia helps you save:
- Merit-Based Scholarships: You're automatically considered for these when you apply to Columbia.
- Talent-Based Scholarships: You can choose to apply by submitting a portfolio or completing an audition.
- Visit and FAFSA Awards: Up to $8,000 over four years for visiting campus, plus $1,000 just for filing the FAFSA.
Faculty Spotlight: Ric Walker
Richard Walker is a Professor of Comedy Writing and Performance in Columbia College Chicago's Theatre Department, where he teaches courses in improvisation, acting, and comedy writing. An accomplished actor and improviser, his work spans television (with shows like Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D.), major theatre stages, and ensembles, including Chicago's award-winning Improvised Shakespeare Company.
“We prepare our students for a future in the industry. Their lifelong network begins on day one. When they leave, they're ready."