1. Nationally Accredited – COE
    Columbia College is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) to award certificates and associate degrees.
  1. Financial Aid is available to those who qualify.
    Columbia College provides Federal Student Aid for students who want to study towards a certificate or diploma in eligible programs. We also provide scholarships and Presidential Grants for our students.
  1. Certified School for I-20 Issuance – F-1 Students
    Columbia College is an accredited institution and issues SEVIS I-20s for international students in ESL associate degree programs.
  1. CPT and OPT Available for International Students
    Columbia College’s associate degree programs issue Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for our students and Optional Practical Training for our graduates enabling them to gain experience in the related occupational fields.
  1. J-1 Exchange Visitor + Internship Program Available
    Columbia College is a designated sponsor authorized from U.S. Department of State to issue the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status (Form DS-2019) to our visiting students, interns, professors, and scholars.
  1. Convenient Class Schedule – Morning, Afternoon, & Evening
    Columbia College offers classes at various times – morning, afternoon, and evening – for students’ convenience.
  1. Outstanding Curriculum and Faculty
    Columbia College’s programs are taught by highly-qualified instructors focused on career-specific providing students with the knowledge and skills that are sought by employers.
  1. Competitive Tuition
    Columbia College provides excellent educational programs with competitive tuition rates.
  1. Easy to Access – Three Locations in Washington Metropolitan Area
    Columbia College operates 3 campuses in Vienna and Centreville in Virginia, and Silver Spring, Maryland.
  1. Student First
    Columbia College always places our students at the highest priority.
  1. Campus Safety/Security Report
    Columbia College’s campus crime rate in most recent 3 years (2020, 2021, 2022) is recorded as a 0%. For more information, please refer to Columbia College’s 2023 Annual Security Report here. The Annual Security Report is a document published by Columbia College with its current safety policy and the past three years of crime data.
  2. Health Insurance
    Although Columbia College does not provide health insurance plans for students, it acknowledges the importance of health insurance and encourages students to obtain health insurance to cover medical care. The college encourages all college students to get health insurance coverage to prevent an illness or accident from causing a financial burden.Receiving adequate and quality health care is important especially in an emergency, and this is also related to the burden of financial hardship that may be imposed in the case of emergency treatments. The cost of insurance varies depending on the student’s medical history and type of coverage requested.In selecting a plan, students should consider the following factors and/or questions:
    • Monthly rate – make sure you can afford
    • Whether you can upgrade, cancel, or change your policy or if you are under a contractual agreement
    • Whether Maternity Benefits are included in the plan
    • Low Deductibles – some plans require the person to pay the expenses himself/herself
    • Eligibility – what does the insurance company look for – medical records, income verification?

    In addition, please refer to the two options below – that provide Health Insurance options for international students.

    • PGH Global – Student Health Insurance for International Students in the U.S.
    • ISO – International Student Insurance

    Please note that Columbia College does not endorse or assume any responsibility for any insurance policy, liabilities, deductible, insurance claim, payments or other insurance options or websites; and it expressly disclaims any responsibility for problems that may arise within connection therewith. Individuals are strongly advised to thoroughly research and understand the policy, liabilities, coverages, benefits, renewal, or other insurance options before making final arrangements and purchase.