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Colby Community College
Colby, Kansas · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 1255 S Range, Colby, KS 67701 · Phone: (785) 462-3984 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Colby Community College is a public trade and career school in Colby, Kansas, offering CNA classes, welding, and LPN programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Colby Community College has a 55.3% completion rate, near the Kansas state average of 57.3%, with median graduate debt of $8,908 and median earnings of $41,889 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Colby Community College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here, and 22.1% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing assistants | $32,180 | $38,010 | $44,170 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $37,790 | $49,410 | $59,200 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $49,780 | $61,760 | $69,470 |
| Medical assistants | $35,140 | $39,510 | $46,380 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Kansas (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, under 300 hours | 40 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 14 | $33,062 | $41,007 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Colby Community College is a public community college in Colby, Kansas, operating under Higher Learning Commission accreditation, with additional programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used at this campus. The college's most-completed trade programs are CNA classes, welding schools, and LPN/LVN programs, among five total program families offered.
Federal data show a completion rate of 55.3%, which is near the Kansas state average of 57.3%. Graduates who borrowed carry a median debt of $8,908, and median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $41,889. Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 22.1% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting a mix of income levels in the student body. Trade program completers numbered 96 out of an undergraduate enrollment of 838.
This campus, located in a remote town setting, may suit students drawn to short, hands-on certificate paths like CNA and welding as well as those pursuing LPN credentials, though specific program lengths are not detailed here and should be confirmed directly with the school. Career changers should verify current program offerings, schedules, and licensing requirements by contacting the college. To independently confirm accreditation status and outcomes, consult the Higher Learning Commission and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Colby Community College's most-completed programs are CNA classes, welding schools, and LPN/LVN programs, part of five total program families offered on campus.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with additional programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this campus participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 55.3%, which is near the Kansas state average of 57.3%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $8,908 according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $41,889.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (785) 462-3984 or visit colbycc.edu for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Colby Community College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for state residents and eligibility for state-level funding support.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the federal data provided; contact the school directly to confirm program durations.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and review federal outcome data at the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?154934.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The presence of CNA, welding, and LPN programs suggests options for career changers, though specific scheduling or program-length details for adult learners are not reported here; confirm with the school.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements, such as for CNA or LPN roles, are not detailed in this data; contact the school or your state licensing board to confirm requirements.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Colby Community College at (785) 462-3984 or through its website at https://www.colbycc.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included here; use the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?154934 to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in Kansas
- Northwest Kansas Technical CollegeGoodland, KS · 73% completion
- Fort Hays Tech NorthwestGoodland, KS
- Schaben ServicesOakley, KS
- Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and TechnologyWichita, KS · 43% completion
- Johnson County Community CollegeOverland Park, KS · 31% completion
- Kansas City Kansas Community CollegeKansas City, KS · 42% completion
- Hutchinson Community CollegeHutchinson, KS · 54% completion
- Washburn Institute of TechnologyTopeka, KS · 68% completion
See all trade and career schools in Kansas or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.