Columbia College campus
Columbia College logo

Columbia College

Type 2 year, Private
Business Model For Profit
Campus locale Suburb: Large
Degrees offered Undergraduate
Calendar system Continuous
Student body size Small
Student to faculty ratio 18 to 1
Students retention rate 75%
On-time graduation rate 63%

Located in Vienna, Virginia, Columbia College is a private, for profit institution that offers undergraduate degrees. The college operates on a continuous calendar system, providing flexibility in scheduling.

One of the notable aspects of Columbia College is its open admission policy. This means that all high school graduates and individuals who hold a GED qualification are eligible to apply for admission. This inclusive approach allows a wide range of students to pursue their higher education goals, regardless of their academic background.

Columbia College is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

Columbia College boasts an impressive student retention rate of 75% , indicating that the majority of students choose to continue their education at the institution. This number surpasses both the state and national averages of 81% and 67%, respectively.


  • Accredited by: Council on Occupational Education
The most popular programs at Columbia College are Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician, English Language and Literature, General, Culinary Arts/Chef Training, Business Administration and Management, General. Below is the cost of attendance for these programs as well as the cost of attendance for similar schools that provide the same program.

English Language and Literature, General

Program Length 17 months
Tuition and Fees $19,320
Books and Supplies $2,240
Total Cost $21,560

Similar schools that provide the same program:

Culinary Arts/Chef Training

Program Length 17 months
Tuition and Fees $20,300
Books and Supplies $400
Total Cost $20,700

Business Administration and Management, General

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 74 of freshman students at Columbia College received on average $5,590 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$5,590
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 302 68% $4,674 $1,411,506
Other Federal Grant 302 68% $4,674 $1,411,506
State Grant/Scholarships 0 0% - -
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 289 65% $1,518 $438,625
Total Grant & Scholarships 331 74% $5,590 $1,850,131

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of Columbia College students who enrolled in 2018 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of Columbia College students is 63.1%. Female students graduated at a rate of 70.5%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 54.6%.

63.1%

  • asian 57.8% 119 students
  • African American 80.0% 8 students
  • white 67.4% 66 students
  • unknown 63.6% 21 students
  • hispanic 55.6% 10 students
  • International Students 68.3% 84 students

Service Offerings

Columbia College provides the following additional services to its students
  • Placement services for graduates
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

Columbia College offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic
  • Occupational

Veteran Services

  • Member of Service-members Opportunity Colleges
  • Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)