Public
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
Weed, California
College of the Siskiyous — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$14,448Annual Cost
$39,098Grad Salary
27.9%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
Avg Net Price
$7,241
Need-Based Aid
27.9% receive Pell
College of the Siskiyous, established in 1957 in rural northern California, combines stunning natural surroundings with comprehensive academic programs. The 250-acre main campus in Weed features an observatory, performing arts center, and outdoor education facilities at the base of Mount Shasta. COS specializes in forestry, fire science, and nursing programs, operating a 4,000-acre college forest and state-certified fire academy. The college serves about 1,500 students across two campuses.
COS is unranked among national colleges but holds distinction for its natural resources programs. The college boasts a 100% job placement rate for fire science graduates and operates one of California's few college-based commercial timber operations. Unique features include astronomy programs utilizing the 24-inch campus telescope and partnerships with the USDA Forest Service. The breathtaking mountain location provides unparalleled outdoor education opportunities.
College of the Siskiyous Acceptance Rate
College of the Siskiyous runs an open-access admission policy. With a 100% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
College of the Siskiyous Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
College of the Siskiyous follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
College of the Siskiyous reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at College of the Siskiyous
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on College of the Siskiyous's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
College of the Siskiyous Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if College of the Siskiyous is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into College of the Siskiyous Without SAT or ACT?
College of the Siskiyous's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for College of the Siskiyous
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into College of the Siskiyous is the easy part. What matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Leverage on-campus housing - a genuine rarity among California community colleges
College of the Siskiyous is one of only about eleven community colleges in California to offer on-campus student housing (two resident lodges at the Weed campus). A student wanting a residential community college experience should specifically ask about the Student Lodges application process and the required co-signer for dependent students (per FAFSA), since this changes both the cost and social experience of attending COS.
Know that the Yreka campus houses the Rural Health Sciences Institute - a separate location for nursing coursework
COS's Nursing programs (Certified Nurse Assistant, Vocational Nurse, and Registered Nurse) are based specifically at the Rural Health Sciences Institute (RHSI) on the Yreka campus, 30 miles north of the primary Weed campus. A nursing-track student should plan transportation or relocation between the two campuses as part of their academic plan, rather than assuming all coursework happens in Weed.
Consider the POST Law Enforcement Academy and Fire/Emergency Response Technology programs as genuinely accredited regional training hubs
COS's Fire/Emergency Response Technology Program is an accredited regional academy for the California State Fire Marshal's Office, and its POST Law Enforcement Academy and Paramedic/EMT programs are accredited by their respective state agencies. Ask specifically about academy start dates and physical/background prerequisites, since these run on their own timelines apart from general education classes.
Use the Mount Shasta setting and outdoor-recreation-integrated coursework as a genuine academic resource
Courses in art, geology, life sciences, and physical/recreational education at COS explicitly use the surrounding mountains, forests, lakes, and rivers as an outdoor classroom - a genuine curricular integration, not just a scenic backdrop. Reference this specific integration when discussing fit for environmental science, geology, or outdoor recreation interests.
Expert Insight:
Don't assume every COS program is based at the Weed campus - nursing programs run through the Rural Health Sciences Institute in Yreka, 30 miles away, and a student who doesn't plan for this geographic split may face real logistical surprises partway through a nursing-track education.
College of the Siskiyous Profile
Full Name
College of the Siskiyous
City
Weed
State
California
ZIP Code
96094-2899
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (WASCJC)
Is a College of the Siskiyous Degree Worth It?
Whether College of the Siskiyous is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $45,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 5.2%.
How much does a degree from College of the Siskiyous Cost?
The sticker price is $14,448/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $7,241.
27.9% of students receive a Pell Grant and 6.4% take federal loans at College of the Siskiyous. File your FAFSA early and list College of the Siskiyous as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a College of the Siskiyous Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $39,098. That's somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at College of the Siskiyous
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About College of the Siskiyous Admissions
Median earnings for College of the Siskiyous graduates sit around $39,098 a year.
At about $14,448 a year, College of the Siskiyous is on the more affordable end.
About 27.9% receive a Pell Grant at College of the Siskiyous. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
College of the Siskiyous follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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