Columbia College Chicago, Chicago | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

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.

The phrase that seems to follow this school around is, “You get what you put into it” and that pretty much sums it up. Care about the arts and your work or don’t come here. Seriously, it’s not “easier” than business school. Be passionate.

PROS: In most cases (with a good advisor) you can craft a major to your interests, something that can’t be done at most state funded schools. Columbia offers all arts (media, performing and fine) without barring other majors from taking specific classes. Columbia’s pretty flexible with switching majors, so anyone can explore to the heart’s content. The social networks are great, too (if you’re willing to explore and find them – please see paragraph one). The portfolio center also offers useful tips and tricks. Also, SMALL CLASS SIZES (less than fifteen people usually), and people actually interact with you. Beyond studio classes Columbia offers a range of cultural studies, environmental science, literature, creative writing and business-art classes to supplement their programs. No Greek life, sports teams or colors. It’s almost heaven.

CONS: The bureaucracy. The administration doesn’t keep up with students. This is why it’s important to find a GOOD advisor. The school isn’t nearly selective enough, and people who aren’t motivated to be here are wasting resources. GPA isn’t an indicator of intelligence, but ambition, and for the great resources the school provides, Columbia should raise its standards. If you don’t want to repeat coursework you did in high school I strongly recommend AP classes or CLEP (it’s what I did), and doing so leaves room for more interesting classes. Yeah, tuition is expensive, but so it is at any other school – if you did decent in high, you’ll have a decent scholarship.

Take advantage of the diverse range of classes and people that are eagerly offered to you. As far as standing out after graduation – do well academically, find an internship, do a final, independent project if possible, collaborate with other creative people and ALWAYS be doing creative projects outside of the classroom. I mean it.

Alumni here. Awful school. If I could tell 18 year old me to choose literally ANYWHERE else I would. Don’t go to art school folks. Go to business school and take separate courses/find a mentor for anything you need to learn to benefit your craft. Things thankfully worked out for me, and it’s only because I realized how much of a money suck this joke of an institution was and got out while I could.