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Lower Columbia College
Longview, Washington · Public college
Address: 1600 Maple Street, Longview, WA 98632 · Phone: (360) 442-2311 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Lower Columbia College is a public trade and career school in Longview, Washington, offering CNA classes, medical assistant programs, and welding, accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Lower Columbia College graduates carry a median debt of $10,506 and earn a median of $40,691 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard; the school's completion rate compared to the state average of 66.1% is not reported.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Lower Columbia College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid can be used here, and about 36.5% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing assistants | $42,500 | $49,180 | $57,930 |
| Medical assistants | $46,540 | $59,290 | $63,590 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $47,980 | $63,020 | $73,650 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $39,470 | $57,270 | $76,960 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | $50,010 | $64,760 | $75,530 |
| Medical records specialists | $45,500 | $62,270 | $79,680 |
| Machinists | $48,360 | $66,160 | $80,340 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $54,720 | $77,900 | $92,880 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Washington (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 | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 5 | $40,074 | $34,704 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | $29,685 | not reported |
| Ground Transportation | Certificate, under 300 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Ground Transportation | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 1 | $40,074 | $34,704 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | $29,685 | 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
Lower Columbia College is a public trade and career training campus in Longview, Washington. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, with its nursing offerings also recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used at this school. Among its 12 program families, the campus awards the most credentials in CNA classes (23), medical assistant programs (17), and welding (5).
Federal data shows the statewide average completion rate is 66.1%, but this campus's own completion rate and how it compares to that state average are not reported for this campus in federal data. Graduates carry a median debt of $10,506, and median earnings ten years after entry are $40,691. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 36.5% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of lower-income enrollment. Total undergraduate enrollment is 1,932, with 58 trade program completers counted.
This campus may suit students pursuing short, credential-focused programs like CNA and medical assistant training, as well as those interested in longer technical fields like welding. Whether these programs fit an adult career-changer's schedule is not detailed in the data provided, so prospective students should contact the school directly. To verify accreditation status and review updated federal outcome data, check the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Lower Columbia College offers 12 program families, with the most completions in CNA classes (23), medical assistant programs (17), and welding (5). Other program families include auto mechanics, CDL training, medical billing and coding, CNC machining, and diesel mechanics.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Lower Columbia College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Its nursing programs also hold accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing 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 students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants. About 36.5% of students at this campus receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
This campus's completion rate and its comparison to the state average are not reported for this campus in federal data. The statewide average completion rate is 66.1%; contact the school directly or check the College Scorecard for more detail.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates of Lower Columbia College carry a median debt of $10,506, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings for graduates ten years after entry are $40,691, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school at (360) 442-2311 or visit lowercolumbia.edu for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Lower Columbia College is a public institution, which often means lower tuition costs and state oversight compared to for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported for this campus in the data provided. Contact the school directly to ask about specific program timelines.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and review federal outcome data at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?235750.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not detail scheduling or format specifics needed to assess fit for adult career-changers. Contact the school directly at (360) 442-2311 to discuss program options.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported for this campus in the data provided. Contact the school or check relevant state licensing boards for programs like CNA and medical assisting.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Lower Columbia College at (360) 442-2311 or visit https://lowercolumbia.edu/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported in this listing. Use the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?235750 to compare outcomes across institutions.
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.