Columbia College Chicago

"Don't waste your time or money at this school. It's a scam. There are plenty of cheaper art schools even in Chicago that have more value, pay their staff and actually care about the future of their students, instead of how much money they can get out if them in 4+ years."

"Thanks for cutting tons of courses in the middle of the year and ruining everyone's plans. you couldn't at least wait until the end of the school year? Columbia is a shadow of what it once was when the school at least pretended to care about its students and faculty"

"1.5 stars - Your experience really depends on the professors you get. And as many have said for the tuition it's not worth it. I graduated about 5 years ago with a BA in art direction... through my education I had a handful of amazing passionate professors and many outrageously disappointing ones. Two that stick out in my mind are one who would put on movies and fall asleep saying "this job is to pad my retirement" I truly wish I was joking..we (the students) thought he was, but through inattentive ways saw he was serious. Another "exemplary" professor was teaching a digital art class but frequently had to ask students how to use Photoshop. My advisor had me drop classes that would have been beneficial when I entered the working world... So yes, If you have another option for art school, please choose elsewhere. I entered the working world completely unprepared. There is little emphasis on portfolio building, or what is actually being looked for by companies that will hire you. Despite their claims, getting an internship is up to you, there is a student job board, but that is as far as the assistance goes. All responses & I got in regards to internships were from job boards outside of school. If you don't already have advanced technical skills, you better catch up fast and don't ask for help, the staff will be dismissive of you. There is absolutely no sense of community, which is important for artists in regard to networking and enjoying your college experience as a whole. It has a commuter school vibe. That being said I did live off campus, student housing was more expensive than me getting my own place on Michigan Ave!!! So of course I opted for my own space. I thought it bizarre that tuition was going up each year, yet class sizes were getting larger. I was of the last students who got to enjoy the crucial and extensive equipment rental in the Art & Design building. This equipment cage allowed me to complete many a project & was absolutely pivotal for what I ended up going into after graduation. My last semester there, they were in the process of sizing it down, to eventually be removed, as it had been decided that A&D students did not need this equipment. And the cherry on top is the expensive diploma that I worked so hard for. It looks like something I could print at FedEx, no joke. * positives - The fabrication labs, and printing facilities are nice, the downtown location is nice. and the few good professors I had over the years. End of year art fest is cool."

"We had a scheduled tour of Columbia college. Visited a few of their buildings. Great experience overal! Very artsy college in the beautiful downtown area of Chicago."

"HAD A GREAT EXPERIENCE THERE, THE STAFF ARE FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL. THE TOUR WAS GREAT AND MY DAUGHTER WILL BE ATTENDING THE SCHOOL ON SEPTEMBER, 2021"