Columbia Basin College provides exceptional affordability that makes higher education accessible to students across all income levels, ranking among the top institutions nationally for keeping costs manageable.
The college combines low net prices with practical, career-focused programs that help students achieve economic stability without excessive debt burdens.
Columbia Basin College serves as an accessible entry point into higher education for students in southeastern Washington. As a medium-sized public institution, CBC focuses on providing practical, career-oriented education at highly affordable prices. With over half of students being first-generation college attendees and about 24% receiving Pell Grants, the college plays an important role in opening educational opportunities for students who might not otherwise pursue higher education.
The college's approach emphasizes affordability and accessibility over selectivity. Net prices remain well below national averages across all income levels, with low-income students paying just $7,480 annually and middle-income families facing costs around $8,973. While graduation rates and long-term earnings are more modest compared to four-year research universities, CBC provides a foundation for students to build careers in fields like business administration and other practical disciplines.
For many students, Columbia Basin College represents a pragmatic choice that balances educational opportunity with financial reality. The institution serves students who need flexible, affordable options while still providing pathways to stable employment and further educational advancement. As an "Opportunity Builder" in the mobility landscape, CBC focuses on serving students who benefit most from accessible, cost-effective higher education options.
Columbia Basin College's program portfolio centers on practical, career-oriented education that prepares students for immediate workforce entry. Business Administration represents the college's flagship program, graduating 68 students annually with strong employment outcomes and median earnings of $48,265 ten years after graduation. This program demonstrates CBC's ability to combine solid enrollment with meaningful career preparation that translates into stable, middle-class employment for graduates.
The college's approach emphasizes practical skills development and direct career preparation rather than broad academic exploration. Programs are designed to meet regional workforce needs and provide students with immediately applicable skills that employers value. This focus on career readiness helps explain why CBC graduates, while earning more modest amounts than those from research universities, typically achieve stable employment and economic security.
Business Administration's success reflects the college's broader mission of providing accessible, practical education that serves working-class and first-generation students. The program's combination of solid enrollment numbers and competitive earnings outcomes demonstrates how community colleges can effectively prepare students for professional careers while maintaining affordability and accessibility.
Columbia Basin College graduates achieve modest but meaningful earnings outcomes that reflect the institution's focus on practical, career-oriented education. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $46,680, which places the college in the lower-middle range nationally but represents solid progress for students entering with diverse educational backgrounds. The college shows a small positive earnings advantage of about $671 compared with similar institutions, indicating that CBC provides slightly better outcomes than might be expected given its student population and mission.
Business Administration stands out as the college's primary program strength, graduating 68 students annually with median earnings of $48,265 ten years out. This represents the highest aggregate return among CBC's programs, combining solid enrollment numbers with earnings that exceed the institutional average. The program demonstrates how focused, practical education can translate into stable career outcomes for graduates.
While earnings levels are more modest than those seen at four-year research universities, they represent meaningful progress for CBC's student population. Many graduates enter the workforce in stable, middle-class positions that provide economic security and opportunities for advancement. The college's emphasis on practical skills and career preparation helps students transition effectively from education to employment in the regional economy.
Columbia Basin College excels in affordability, ranking in the top 15% nationally for keeping costs manageable across all income levels. Low-income students pay just $7,480 per year, well below what most public institutions charge, while middle-income families face annual costs of $8,973. Even high-income families pay only $16,108, making CBC accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds without creating significant financial strain.
Debt levels remain very manageable for most students. Typical graduates leave with about $14,829 in federal student loan debt, a modest amount that reflects both the college's low net prices and students' ability to cover substantial portions of their costs through grants, work, and family contributions. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $12,216, indicating that families who choose to contribute directly are not taking on excessive debt burdens.
The combination of low net prices and modest debt levels creates a sustainable financial model for most CBC students. With the college's focus on practical, career-oriented programs, graduates typically enter stable employment that allows them to manage their educational debt comfortably. This affordability advantage makes CBC particularly valuable for students who need to minimize educational costs while still gaining marketable skills and credentials.
Columbia Basin College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
