Columbia Basin College
Columbia Basin College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Columbia Basin College at a Glance
Columbia Basin College (CBC) is a public community college in Pasco, Washington. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The college offers English as a second language and General Educational Development (GED) prep classes, the Running Start program, many associate degree programs, and the Bachelor of Applied Science degree.
1955
71 years old
11,243
Identity
Is Columbia Basin College Worth It?
Columbia Basin College offers moderate value at $8,317/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $46,680, which is 13% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 30% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Columbia Basin College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WA
Ranked #108 of 266 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | CUNY York College | 100 | $4,456 | $56,945 |
| #4 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #5 | Texas A & M International University | 100 | $3,637 | $48,386 |
| #6 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #108 | Columbia Basin College | 43 | $8,317 | $46,680 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Columbia Basin College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 24 in WA.
Best Programs at Columbia Basin College
The highest-earning program at Columbia Basin College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $47,000/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Columbia Basin College earns $47,000, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $47,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $8,317/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,000 | $47,000 |
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Pasco, WA
- Student Body
- 4,640 students
- Graduation Rate
- 30%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $8,317
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $46,680
- Median Student Debt
- $14,829