Lower Columbia College is a public 2-year college in Longview, Washington with 1,932 undergraduates. It has open admission, costs an average of $7,341 a year after grants and graduates 22% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
Lower Columbia College acceptance rate and admissions
Lower Columbia College has open admission: it admits students with a high school diploma or equivalent. Some programs, such as nursing or other health fields, can have their own entry requirements.
Lower Columbia College tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees, in-state (2025-26) | $4,795 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state (2025-26) | $6,225 |
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $17,702 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $17,443 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $7,341 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $7,341 a year after grants and scholarships, $10,102 less than the full cost of attendance. This figure covers in-state students.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students paying in-state tuition, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run Lower Columbia College's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
Lower Columbia College graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 22% of first-time, full-time students finished within three years (students who started in 2022).
- Former students earned a median of $45,498 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $16,320 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 36% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
Lower Columbia College majors and what graduates earn
Lower Columbia College awarded bachelor's degrees in 2 fields recently.
All 2 majors at Lower Columbia College
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business administration | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Teacher education by grade level | 0 | n/a | n/a | $20,000 |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Trade and career programs at Lower Columbia College
Certificate and associate programs in the trades we track. One-year earnings are for graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, four-year earnings for graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, both in 2024 dollars.
| Program | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LPN and CNA | Certificate | 40 | n/a | $43,006 | n/a |
| Welding | Associate degree | 14 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Auto and diesel mechanic | Associate degree | 10 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Medical assistant | Associate degree | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Medical assistant | Certificate | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Medical billing and coding | Associate degree | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Welding | Certificate | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Medical billing and coding | Certificate | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Truck driving (CDL) | Certificate | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Students and location
- 1,932 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 72% women, 28% men
- 15 students for every faculty member
- Setting: small city
- Accredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Frequently asked questions
Is it hard to get into Lower Columbia College?
No. Lower Columbia College has open admission for students with a high school diploma or equivalent. Some programs may have extra requirements.
How much does Lower Columbia College cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $4,795 for in-state students and $6,225 for out-of-state students. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $7,341 a year in 2024-25.
What is the graduation rate at Lower Columbia College?
22% of first-time, full-time students finished within three years.
How much do Lower Columbia College graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $45,498 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
Similar colleges
Matched on location, type, selectivity, size, net price and graduation rate.
More: all colleges in Washington · Lower Columbia College on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.