This place is a joke, if I could give it negative stars I would. The staff is incompetent and under qualified. It's very clear to anyone who steps foot in the door that this "institution" is a scam to take advantage of foreigners who don't know much about the education system. Check out this post from a former employee A toxic place owned by a family who call themselves educators. You will notice that the majority of the staff are Koreans bcz the President can't speak English. They usually lure innocent and naive (but passionate) recent college graduates who desperately need a visa sponsorship. Okay- here is what you are going to get (1) You will make like nothing. My starting hourly rate was $9/hr. After one year, they gave me a raise of $1 more per hour lol Oh during winter time, they even cut off employees' working hours claiming that we shouldn't stay late and go home before it gets dark and it was for our own safety. (2) No benefits- no insurance or paid vacation. (3) Emotional distress - the owner will yell at you and you can't even talk back to him bcz you know, the Korean culture. Micromanagement is just a usual everyday thing. You will be in lots of meetings which arent exactly a meeting as you go in and just listen to the owner's lecture the whole time. You just have to nod and say yes. As I said the whole management is operated by the family members- meaning, you have 4 bosses to serve; the owner, the wife of the owner and the kids of the owner (Yes they are deeply involved in the business holding a big title). (4) You can't grow or learn here. No professional development opportunities or mentorship. (5) Office culture is toxic- I wouldn't blame employees though as everyone I worked with was just unhappy. They were lots of gossiping and work place politics. I have stayed friends with a few of people I met here, actually they are good people outside of work. It was just the environment which drove people mad. read more

WORST PLACE EVER! I went to get go my highlights retouched. All my roots were grown out and Jenny (the manager) worked on my hair. She reassured me that my roots would be silverish blondish which was what i wanted. The whole process took over 3 hours and was confused as to why it was taking so long. At one point, they even made me go sit outside in the sun. what??? I was very concerned. After everything, they washed my hair and when i looked in the mirror, i freaked out. MY HAIR WAS ORANGE! ORANGE! Jenny told me it looked nice and the color would fade over time but it still didnt change the fact that my hair was orange. I have dark hair and you have to put bleach in order to go lighter. She never used to bleach but before we had even started the process, she promised that my hair would be silverish blondish. HOW IS ORANGE AND BLONDE EVEN CLOSE?? They washed my hair twice because they screwed up and charged me for it as well. Now all my hair is falling out BECAUSE OF THEM. I should've never paid. i was SO dissapointed. I called back later that day and asked for a refund. Jenny once again was being rude over the phone and was YELLING at me. A CUSTOMER. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, dont go here. they were trick you! They will ruin your hair!!!!!!!!!!!!! I DONT GIVE THEM EVEN ONE STAR. read more

Trust me when I say run far away and do not give these people your money. I am a former staff officer at Columbia college. Richard and John Kim are not honest people and will steal your money. It's a very strict top-down structure that is more focused on making money and grabbing new students than on listening to teachers and current students about how to develop better programs. Employees are treated more like tools than people. It's not as bad for American staff, but especially for Korean workers or foreign students (i.e. anyone needing visa sponsorship from the school), it's extremely exploitative. The school offers absolutely no benefits whatsoever, no paid time off, no paid prep. Teachers are required to attend unpaid professional development. There is no way to be "full time," even if you're teaching all day, every day -- every instructor is an adjunct to cut costs. If you are looking to support yourself off this job, even teaching a full schedule, you'll be disappointed. read more

I took a paralegal certificate program in Columbia College. This course opened my vision to pursue my career into the law. After I finished the course, the professor helped me to find a job in a law office. After I worked in the law office for one year, I was motivated to purse my study to law school. I studied for the LSAT. With the recommendation from my professor in Columbia College and other attorneys, I was admitted to American University, School of Law. Currently, I am in my 2nd year in the law school. Although Columbia College is not a law school, its education provided me a strong foundation in law and it encouraged me to pursue my education into higher level. I am very grateful to Columbia College for providing me a chance to open my eyes to the bigger world. read more

I really happy with the programs in Columbia college. They have variety programs that helps people to find a job right after the completion. I completed my program, nurse aide and after taking and passing board exam, I got a job as a CNA right away! My salary is much higher than my previous job and my expectation. The instructor was very smart and kind to help me to learn the courses and guide me to take appropriate procedure from applying exam to applying license to the state. I'm happy with the staff as well. Thank you again for the great opportunity you provide! read more

I studied about 7 months to get a massage therapy certificate and this is one of the best programs in the metropolitan area. The instructors are committed, knowledgeable and professional. I truly believe this is the most rewarding experience that I have been made privy too. Thank you so much for challenging to me to succeed and helping me to write my own "success story." I strongly and highly recommend this College to any and everyone without hesitation. Columbia College ROCKS!!! read more

it is an awesome place to learn the English since there are so many good teachers and staff members. They have many yrs experiences so they know what to do/ what to teach. It is so fun to come to school since they have so many events like Student Welcome Day/ International Day / Talent show and so on. I highly recommend this school. Hope people can have the opportunity to study @ Columbia college and learn new things with wonderful people. read more

Columbia College is an excellent college it helped me to improve in reading, writing, and leasing, they are very responsive and reply to messages fast, and they give clear information helping me understand things better. Before I used to translate for speaking and spelling but now I don't need it! one of the best things is since I am a housewife and have little kids the studies are on the computer. read more

Columbia College have great Associate Degrees. They have amazing teachers like Dr. Ratliff in Business Administration of professor Jimmy in Computer Science. Studying at Columbia College not only help me to improve my English and get better at the field I wanted, also the staff is very helpful and they are always helping you so your experience at the College is great. read more

Great place to learn English and job skills. There are various vocational programs you can build the special skills for hunting jobs in this college along with ESL program. The college also supports its students with job placement. Students and staffs are fully diversified. Staffs and instructors are friendly and knowledgeable. read more

It has been such a great experience with Columbia College for several years. This school made me to read, write and speak English a lot better than the first time. I feel really appreciate of it and thanks to all my instructors!! When I came back again, I met a new school and now I really like enjoying campus life here! read more

This is a good and developing school specializing ESL and vocational programs such as Culinary Arts, Dental Laboratory Technology, Cosmetology, and Massage Therapy. Small group studies and professional instructors help you achieve your goals. Also, it is located near 495 and 66 where is easy to commute to. read more

Columbia College has the nicest instructors and the staff makes everyone feel like it is one big family. I have so many nice things to say and know that students will be very happy with their experience and learning. If you want to improve your English skills it's a terrific place to study. Thank you so much! read more

Thank you, Columbia College! Their staff and faculty members always put students first. As an international student, I had some trouble to understand some regulations. With the very generous help from Admission office staffs, I could figure it out. I appreciate their hard works to communicate with me! read more

The program of ESL is great due to the teachers, staff, and a variety of all nationalities students. I'm so happy that now they have ESL online during these hard times of the COVID. To be safe at home the online classes are great and also they provide you free laptops for educational purposes. read more

I love this school. It's in a very convenient location near the metro and Tysons Corner, and the admissions staffs were very kind and helpful. The college has a really good program in Dental Lab Technology, the only school with the dental technician program near the DC metropolitan area. read more

This college has attractive vocational program like dental lab, culinary arts and nurse aide. It also famous for esl course alomg with fantastic & energetic instructors such as craig and yana. Staff care students with good attitude. Highly recommend this college!!! read more

I cannot believe that this college or school however you want to call it still open for business, they are the WORST, my daughter had a really bad experience and we invested for nothing. We are really frustrated!!! Coll read more

It is an awesome place to learn English, especially for international students. Columbia College is an experienced Institution. The staff and teachers are great with all students and it´s always fun to be there! read more