Columbia Basin College (CBC) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Columbia Basin College
Set in Washington's Tri-Cities along the Columbia River, Columbia Basin College is known for practical, transfer-focused academics and hands-on learning. Students dig into the sciences, business, health, trades, and the arts with small-class attention. You'll find well-equipped labs, a welcoming library, active study lounges, and a student hub, plus tutoring, advising, and career services. The culture feels friendly and down to earth, with commuters and recent grads side by side.
Student life brings clubs, cultural nights, service projects, and Hawks pride at games. Outdoor time is easy on riverfront trails, in local parks, and out in the open desert. Career prep leans on real projects, job fairs, and ties to regional employers in agriculture, energy, and healthcare. Around town, expect festivals, farmers markets, and a growing arts and food scene. And people say hello here, even on busy days.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Columbia Basin College (CBC) offers 38 degree programs across 13 major academic fields, graduating approximately 1,608 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Liberal Arts (1 programs, 781 graduates), Health (12 programs, 274 graduates), Education (1 programs, 209 graduates), Business (5 programs, 163 graduates) and Computer & IT (7 programs, 91 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Liberal Arts (1 programs, 781 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 781 |
|
Associate's
|
24.0101 |
Health (12 programs, 274 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 75 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
| Nursing and Patient Care Assistant | 49 |
|
Residency
Other Award
|
51.3902 |
| Emergency Care Attendant | 25 |
|
Residency
Other Award
|
51.0810 |
| Medical Assistant | 24 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51.0801 |
| Dental Hygiene | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0602 |
| Phlebotomy Technician | 19 |
|
Residency
Other Award
|
51.1009 |
| Radiologic Technology | 14 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0911 |
| Surgical Technology | 12 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0909 |
| Radiation Protection Technician | 11 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
51.0916 |
| Sterile Processing Technology | 11 |
|
Other Award
|
51.1012 |
| Dental Services and Allied Professions | 10 |
|
Other Award
|
51.0699 |
| Emergency Medical Technology | 4 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.0904 |
Education (1 programs, 209 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education | 209 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
Residency
Other Award
|
13.1210 |
Business (5 programs, 163 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 67 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
52.0201 |
| Project Management | 42 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
52.0211 |
| Business Administration | 30 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0101 |
| Accounting and Bookkeeping Technology | 23 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
52.0302 |
| Office Management and Supervision | 1 |
|
Residency
|
52.0204 |
Computer & IT (7 programs, 91 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Systems Security and Auditing | 59 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
11.1003 |
| Information Technology | 13 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
11.0103 |
| Computer Science | 7 |
|
Associate's
|
11.0701 |
| Computer Programming | 5 |
|
Associate's
|
11.0201 |
| Network and System Administration | 5 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
11.1001 |
| Data Processing Technology | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
11.0301 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
11.0901 |
Production (3 programs, 26 graduates)
Manufacturing Technology, Quality Control and Industrial Arts
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machine Tool Technology | 16 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
48.0501 |
| Welding Technology | 9 |
|
Associate's
|
48.0508 |
| Sheet Metal Technology | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
48.0506 |
Mechanics (1 programs, 25 graduates)
Automotive Technology, Equipment Repair and Maintenance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Mechanics Technology | 25 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
47.0604 |
Languages (1 programs, 11 graduates)
Foreign Languages, Literature and Linguistic Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Languages and Linguistics | 11 |
|
Other Award
|
16.9999 |
Physical Sciences (1 programs, 11 graduates)
Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Sciences | 11 |
|
Associate's
|
40.0101 |
Security & Safety (2 programs, 7 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice Administration | 4 |
|
Associate's
|
43.0103 |
| Fire Services Administration | 3 |
|
Associate's
|
43.0202 |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Columbia Basin College (CBC)
How much does it cost to attend Columbia Basin College (CBC)?
The annual tuition at Columbia Basin College (CBC) is $6,194 for in-state students and $8,239 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $20,099 for in-state students and $22,144 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $10,450 (on) / $11,202 (off) and books and supplies $702.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Columbia Basin College offer?
Columbia Basin College (CBC) offers 38 academic programs across 13 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Bachelor's, Residency, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (1 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (12 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (1 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (5 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (7 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Columbia Basin College?
Columbia Basin College (CBC) provides financial aid to 17% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $6,754 and average loans of $5,050.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $4,669
- State/Local grants: $3,785
- Institutional grants: $1,617
- Federal loans: $4,325
The university supports 621 students with grants and 37 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Columbia Basin College graduates?
Columbia Basin College (CBC) graduates earn a median salary of $38,255 after 6 years and $46,680 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $26,950 (25th percentile) to $68,836 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $69,600 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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