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Columbia College

Sonora, CA · Rural · 1,984 students
4
Year
Public
Rural
Small (<3k)
Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
About

Columbia College, nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Yosemite National Park, is best known for its scenic, 280-acre wooded campus and career-focused programs that embrace its mountain environment. The college boasts premier academic pathways in fire technology, natural resources, forestry, and hospitality management, alongside reliable associate degree transfer guarantees to the UC and CSU systems. Student life is defined by a close-knit, outdoor-oriented community where small class sizes foster personal connections with faculty and staff. A major distinction of the college is its specialized wildland fire and natural resource facilities, which provide students with rare, hands-on field experience directly in the heart of California's Gold Country.

Location
Sonora, CA, 95370 · Rural campus
Nearest airport from college
SMF · Sacramento
80 mi away
Cost
In-state COA
$19,870
Out-of-state COA
$27,852
Avg net price
$11,316
In-state tuition
$1,282
Out-of-state tuition
$9,264
Books & supplies
$1,062/yr
Average net price by family income
$0–30k
$10,095
$30–48k
$10,910
$48–75k
$13,961
$75–110k
$15,762
$110k+
$12,813
Admissions

No admissions data available for this college.

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Essay Requirements

This school does not appear to use the Common Application. Check the school's admissions website directly for essay requirements and application instructions.

See the current Common App essay prompts for the personal statement options.

Outcomes
Graduation rate
28%
8-year outcomes
Graduated
36%
Transferred
18%
Still enrolled
1%
Dropped out / unknown
45%
Median earnings (6yr)
$32,510
Median earnings (10yr)
$39,035
Student Body
Men 45%Women 55%
21
:
1
Student : Faculty ratio
Students   Faculty
Pell grant recipients
28%
First-generation
53%
Median family income
$13,865
Independent students
53%
Veterans
1%
Avg age at entry
26.0
Part-time students
65%
Race & ethnicity
White
61%
Hispanic
26%
Black
4%
Asian
2%
Two or more
3%
AI/AN
2%
Unknown
2%
Institutional
Endowment
$2M
Undergraduate profile
Two-year, mostly part-time
Full-time faculty
43%
Avg faculty salary
$10,219/mo
Instructional spend/student
$7,370
Federal loan rate
0%

Wondering if Columbia College is the right fit for you?

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