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Southwestern Oregon Community College

Coos Bay, Oregon · Public community college · Training programs available:

LPN / LVN programsWelding schoolsCulinary & pastry schoolsEMT & paramedic trainingMedical assistant programsPharmacy technician programsDental assistant schools
40%completion rate · Oregon avg 55%
$12,000median debt of graduates
$32,951median earnings, 6 yrs after entry
$38,349median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
not reportedannual cost of attendance
Yesfederal aid (FAFSA / Pell) eligible
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (Accredited)
Address: 1988 Newmark Ave, Coos Bay, OR 97420 · Phone: (541) 888-2525 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Accountability record (federal accreditation database, last 36 months; Department of Education oversight)
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Sanctions are probation, warning, show-cause and loss-of-accreditation actions by any recognized accreditor, including program-specific accreditors (a nursing-program probation counts for the campus). Routine monitoring reviews and voluntary withdrawals are not counted. Ask the school what the action concerned and how it was resolved.

Southwestern Oregon Community College is a public trade and career school in Coos Bay, Oregon, offering LPN, welding, and culinary programs, accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Southwestern Oregon Community College has a 39.7% completion rate, below the state average of 55.4%, with median graduate debt of $12,000 and median earnings of $38,349 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Southwestern Oregon Community College; federal financial aid including Pell Grants can be used, and about 36.5% of students receive Pell.

Completion rate vs. benchmarks
Southwestern Oregon C… Southwestern Oregon C…: 39.7% 39.7% Oregon average Oregon average: 55.4% 55.4% National average National average: 62.1% 62.1%

What these trades pay once you're working

OccupationStarting (10th pct)MedianExperienced (75th)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses$64,000$80,470$90,690
Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers$46,070$59,450$66,570
Chefs and head cooks$45,910$63,600$77,420
Emergency medical technicians$37,600$49,270$55,530
Medical assistants$43,760$50,410$59,160
Pharmacy technicians$44,530$54,900$62,560
Dental assistants$49,010$59,490$63,520

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Oregon (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

ProgramCredentialGrads / yrEarnings, yr 1Earnings, yr 2Median debt
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants Certificate, 1–2 years 68 not reported not reported not reported
Precision Metal Working Certificate, 300–899 hours 32 not reported not reported not reported
Precision Metal Working Certificate, 1–2 years 14 not reported not reported not reported
Culinary Arts and Related Services Certificate, 1–2 years 13 not reported not reported $12,000
Culinary Arts and Related Services Certificate, 1–2 years 11 not reported not reported $12,000
Culinary Arts and Related Services Associate degree 11 $24,482 $22,932 $12,000
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Certificate, 1–2 years 9 not reported not reported not reported
Culinary Arts and Related Services Associate degree 8 $24,482 $22,932 $12,000
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Certificate, 300–899 hours 7 not reported not reported not reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Associate degree 6 not reported not reported not reported
Precision Metal Working Associate degree 6 not reported $27,947 not reported
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Certificate, 1–2 years 3 not reported not reported not reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Certificate, 1–2 years 1 not reported not reported not reported
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Associate degree 1 not reported not reported not reported
Culinary Arts and Related Services Associate degree 1 $24,482 $22,932 $12,000
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions Certificate, 1–2 years 1 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.

Visit the school's website ↗

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About this school

Southwestern Oregon Community College is a public community college in Coos Bay, Oregon, accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here. Among its 16 program families, the campus most commonly awards credentials in LPN / LVN programs, welding, and culinary & pastry arts, with 192 trade-related completers out of an undergraduate enrollment of about 1,270 students.

According to federal data, the campus's completion rate is 39.7%, below the state average of 55.4%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $12,000, and median earnings 10 years after entry were reported at $38,349. About 36.5% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting a substantial share of lower-income students. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.

Given its mix of shorter career-training programs like welding and LPN training alongside longer culinary tracks, this campus may fit both quick career-changers and those seeking more extended, hands-on training, though program length details are not specified here. Located in a remote town setting, it serves a community-based student population. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status directly with NWCCU and review outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling.

Questions students ask

What trade and career programs does this campus offer?

The campus offers 16 program families, most notably LPN / LVN programs, welding, and culinary & pastry arts. It also includes EMT training, medical assistant, pharmacy tech, and dental assistant programs.

Is this school accredited, and by whom?

Yes, it is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and its accreditation status is listed as accredited.

Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?

Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants here.

What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?

The completion rate is 39.7%, which is below the Oregon state average of 55.4%, according to federal data.

How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?

Graduates who borrowed had a median debt of $12,000, per federal data.

What do graduates of this school earn?

Median earnings 10 years after entry were $38,349, according to the 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 (541) 888-2525 or visit socc.edu for current tuition.

Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?

This is a public community college, which typically means lower tuition and Title IV eligibility compared to for-profit institutions.

How long do the programs here take to complete?

Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly to confirm program duration.

How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?

You can verify accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and check outcomes on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?210155.

Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?

The campus offers both shorter career-training programs, such as welding, and longer culinary programs, which may suit different needs, but specific fit for career changers is not detailed in federal data. Contact the school to discuss program options.

What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?

Licensing or certification requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school for program-specific requirements.

How do I contact the school or apply?

You can reach Southwestern Oregon Community College at (541) 888-2525 or through its website, https://www.socc.edu/.

How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?

Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported in federal data; consult the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?210155 to compare institutions.

Nearby trade and career schools in Oregon

See all trade and career schools in Oregon 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.

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