Columbia Gorge Community College
#7 Best Education Colleges in Oregon- Graduation Rate
- 22% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $44,440 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $10,416 B
- 39% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 543
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 26.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $26.5 over 20 years. Ranked #7 in Best Education Colleges in Oregon.
Every $1 spent returns $26.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,061,714.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 22% — 62% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $26.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Columbia Gorge Community College
Columbia Gorge Community College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 543
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Education, Health Professions, Mechanic & Repair Tech
Why students choose Columbia Gorge Community College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $10,416 a year after grants and scholarships — 39% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $44,440 ten years after enrolling — 9% above the typical college, against $19,397 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 43% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.95 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Columbia Gorge Community College, with an enrollment of 543 students, caters to those seeking a close-knit educational environment where they can pursue hands-on learning in areas like Health Professions, Humanities, and Mechanic & Repair Tech. The focus here is on practical skills and career readiness, making it a good fit for individuals who prefer a more personalized approach to their education. This college stands out for its commitment to community, and students can expect to engage deeply with their chosen fields.
Looking at life after graduation, the earning potential is promising. Graduates see average earnings of $44,440 within ten years of completing their studies. This can be an encouraging sign for students considering their return on investment. While the graduation rate sits at 22%, it's important to note that students who complete their programs can achieve good financial outcomes, potentially paving the way for upward mobility in their careers.
When it comes to the cost of attending, the net price after aid is around $10,416, which is quite manageable for many. The median debt for graduates stands at $19,397, suggesting that while students may take on some debt, it’s not unmanageable. Those who thrive here tend to be self-motivated and ready to take advantage of the practical training and community support available. This environment can be particularly beneficial for individuals looking to build a solid foundation for their future careers.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Columbia Gorge Community College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Columbia Gorge Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Columbia Gorge Community College, located in The Dalles, Oregon, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 22%.
- Retention Rate
- 52%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 38%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,289
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.68
- First-Gen Students
- 56%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Columbia Gorge Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Columbia Gorge Community College is $10,260, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $10,416. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,398 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,397 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,940
- Out-of-State
- $10,260
- Avg Net Price
- $10,416
- Median Debt
- $19,397
- Pell Grant Rate
- 29%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 13%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,398
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,328
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Columbia Gorge Community College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Columbia Gorge Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Columbia Gorge Community College report median earnings of $44,440, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $37,252
- 8 Years
- $38,837
- 10 Years
- $44,440
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.44x
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
How Columbia Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Columbia Gorge Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Columbia Gorge Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $10,416/year ($41,664 total). Graduates earn $44,440 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,103,378 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,061,714 (26.5× your investment). The median debt is $19,397, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 22% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $41,664
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,103,378
- Net Return
- $1,061,714
- ROI Multiple
- 26.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $10,416
- Median Debt
- $19,397
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 22%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Columbia Gorge Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Columbia Gorge Community College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.59%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $59,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.59%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 11.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 14.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $80,296
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $2,288,040
- Federal Grants
- $1,743,083
- Investment Income
- $-376,997
Top Programs
The fields Columbia Gorge Community College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Humanities 38%
- Education 19%
- Health Professions 16% $76,630 early-career
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 8%
- Construction Trades 6%
- Precision Production 6%
- Business & Marketing 2%
- Transportation 0%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Columbia Gorge Community College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CAerospace Engineer$130,720 · 6% growthResilient 72
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Columbia Gorge Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Columbia Gorge Community College, located in The Dalles, Oregon, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 22%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Columbia Gorge Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Columbia Gorge Community College is $10,260, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $10,416. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,398 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,397 in federal student loans.
Is Columbia Gorge Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Columbia Gorge Community College report median earnings of $44,440, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Columbia Gorge Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Columbia Gorge Community College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.59%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $59,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Columbia Gorge Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Columbia Gorge Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.95, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Columbia Gorge Community College.
- University of New Mexico-Valencia County CampusLos Lunas, NM · Close peer20% grad $44,792 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Helena College University of MontanaHelena, MT · Close peer37% grad $40,738 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Clatsop Community CollegeAstoria, OR · Close peer27% grad $39,477 earnWhy: similar grad rate · similar size · similar net price
- Ellsworth Community CollegeIowa Falls, IA · Close peer40% grad $40,562 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- University of South Carolina-LancasterLancaster, SC · Close peer27% grad $39,426 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar grad rate · similar size · similar net price
- Northern Maine Community CollegePresque Isle, ME · Close peer38% grad $43,348 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Columbia Gorge Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Columbia Gorge Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.95, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note