Columbia Gorge Community College
Columbia Gorge Community College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Columbia Gorge Community College at a Glance
Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) is a public community college with campuses in The Dalles and Hood River, Oregon. Established in 1977, it serves residents of Wasco and Hood River counties and the broader Columbia River Gorge region. The college offers transfer degrees, career and technical education programs, adult basic skills, and workforce training. CGCC is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and is a member of the Northwest Athletic Conference.
1977
49 years old
Identity
Is Columbia Gorge Community College Worth It?
There isn't enough publicly available data to calculate a definitive value score for Columbia Gorge Community College. This may be due to the institution's size, reporting gaps, or the specific programs offered.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
Best Programs at Columbia Gorge Community College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Columbia Gorge Community College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $10,416/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
Similar Colleges in OR
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- The Dalles, OR
- Student Body
- 543 students
- Net Price (Annual)
- $10,416
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $44,440