HomeWashingtonWelding schools › Lower Columbia College

Lower Columbia College

Longview, Washington · public · mainly awards associate degrees · 1,932 students · WeldingMachining & CNCHVACCDL & Truck DrivingDiesel MechanicsAutomotive TechnologyAviation MaintenanceMedical AssistingPractical Nursing (LPN/LVN)EMT & ParamedicRadiologic Technology

Avg net price / yr
$7,630
cheaper than 57% of comparable schools
Completion rate
43.5%
Median debt at completion
$10,506
Median earnings (10 yrs after entry)
$40,691
earns ~$5,333 per $1k of yearly net price

About

Lower Columbia College is a public school in Longview, WA that mainly awards associate degrees to adult learners. With an average annual net price of $7,630, it offers pathways in trades like vehicle repair and metal working alongside other certificates.

What to know

A typical student graduates with a median debt of $10,506. Reported completion rates sit at 43.5%, which is lower than many schools but common for public community colleges where transfer students are not always counted. Ten years after entry, median earnings are reported at $40,691.

Net price is 17% below the Washington median ($9,189) for schools offering these programs. Reported median earnings are 6% above the national median ($38,354) for comparable schools.

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Programs & what graduates earn

ProgramCredentialMedian earnings 2 yrs after completion
Precision Metal Workingassociate degree$34,704
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Techniciansassociate degree$29,685
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)undergraduate certificatenot reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Techniciansundergraduate certificatenot reported
Precision Metal Workingundergraduate certificatenot reported
Ground Transportationundergraduate certificatenot reported
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Servicesassociate degreenot reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professionsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistantsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Show all 42 other programs at this school
ProgramCredentialMedian earnings (2 yr after completion)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursingassociate degree$70,628
Health and Medical Administrative Servicesassociate degree$30,771
Business Administration, Management and Operationsassociate degree$23,579
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanitiesassociate degree$23,340
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Managementassociate degree$22,806
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Techniciansundergraduate certificatenot reported
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Managementundergraduate certificatenot reported
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methodsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methodsassociate degreenot reported
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areasassociate degreenot reported
Teaching Assistants/Aidesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Chemical Engineeringassociate degreenot reported
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineeringassociate degreenot reported
Mechanical Engineeringassociate degreenot reported
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Generalassociate degreenot reported
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Techniciansassociate degreenot reported
Environmental Control Technologies/Techniciansundergraduate certificatenot reported
Industrial Production Technologies/Techniciansundergraduate certificatenot reported
Industrial Production Technologies/Techniciansassociate degreenot reported
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Techniciansassociate degreenot reported
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Techniciansundergraduate certificatenot reported
Energy Systems Technologies/Techniciansundergraduate certificatenot reported
Legal Support Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Biology, Generalassociate degreenot reported
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitnessundergraduate certificatenot reported
Physical Sciences, Generalassociate degreenot reported
Criminal Justice and Correctionsassociate degreenot reported
Fire Protectionundergraduate certificatenot reported
Fire Protectionassociate degreenot reported
Musicassociate degreenot reported
Health and Medical Administrative Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professionsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professionsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professionsassociate degreenot reported
Business/Commerce, Generalassociate degreenot reported
Business Administration, Management and Operationsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Accounting and Related Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Accounting and Related Servicesassociate degreenot reported
Business Operations Support and Assistant Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Business Operations Support and Assistant Servicesassociate degreenot reported
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operationsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operationsundergraduate certificatenot reported

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Questions students ask

What programs are offered and at what credential levels?
The school offers associate degrees in Precision Metal Working and Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. It also provides undergraduate certificates in HVAC, vehicle repair, metal working, ground transportation, and Allied Health/Medical Assisting, plus 44 other programs.
What do graduates of specific programs typically earn?
Precision Metal Working graduates earned a median of $34,704 two years after completion. Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies graduates earned a median of $29,685 two years after completion.
How many students finish their studies?
The reported completion rate is 43.5%. This metric may undercount transfers to four-year institutions, so the actual graduation rate for all students could be higher.
Is this a public or private school?
Lower Columbia College is a public school.
How does typical debt compare to the yearly cost?
The median student debt at completion is $10,506. The average annual net price after aid is $7,630. Total debt is a cumulative figure, while net price is an annual cost.

Other options in Washington

SchoolCityNet price / yrCompletionEarnings (10 yr)
Bellingham Technical CollegeBellingham$5,99751.6%$49,748
Big Bend Community CollegeMoses Lake$12,21047.9%$43,814
Centralia CollegeCentralia$9,86246.4%$43,140
Clark CollegeVancouver$11,46542.4%$42,356
Clover Park Technical CollegeLakewood$9,86451.7%$41,787
Columbia Basin CollegePasco$8,31742.8%$46,680
Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (most recent release, pulled July 2026), school ID 235750. Figures are federally reported medians and may lag current prices. "Not reported" means the federal dataset suppresses or lacks the value — often due to small cohort sizes. How we compute comparisons. This site is independent and not affiliated with any government agency or school.