Public
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Centralia, Washington
Centralia College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$17,550Annual Cost
$43,140Grad Salary
20.9%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$7,600
Need-Based Aid
20.9% receive Pell
Centralia College is a public community college in Washington state that offers a diverse curriculum ranging from transfer-ready academic programs to highly specialized professional-technical degrees. The college is recognized for its commitment to student success, providing a small-campus atmosphere that encourages active learning and faculty-student collaboration. It serves as a key engine for regional economic development, tailoring its technical programs to meet the needs of local industries. With a focus on affordability and accessibility, Centralia College provides a flexible and supportive environment for students pursuing everything from basic skills to bachelor's degree completion.
Centralia College Acceptance Rate
Centralia College 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 — 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).
Centralia College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Centralia College 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
Centralia College 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.
💡 The scholarship deadline (FAFSA/WASFA Priority: 2026/02/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum 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 Centralia College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Centralia College'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.
Centralia College Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Centralia College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Centralia College Without SAT or ACT?
Centralia College'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 Centralia College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Centralia College's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Use the Criminal Justice Crosswalk Degree if Already in Law Enforcement
Centralia is the only college or university in Washington awarding 45 credits toward an associate degree for completed Basic Law Enforcement Academy or Washington State Patrol Academy training plus at least a year of field work. Officers who qualify can often finish the associate degree in about four academic quarters - a working officer should apply citing this specific Crosswalk pathway by name rather than enrolling in a generic criminal justice track and losing that credit entirely.
Know That Running Start, College in the High School, and CTE Dual Credit Are Three Separate Programs
Families often treat these as interchangeable, but each has distinct eligibility rules - Running Start specifically requires testing into college-level reading (unless exempted by a qualifying transcript or SBAC score) and covers job-training programs like nursing, welding, and diesel tech tuition-free, while College in the High School and CTE Dual Credit run on different structures entirely. Confirm which specific program fits the student's situation before assuming any one covers all dual-enrollment needs.
Plan the AAS-to-BAS Pathway From Year One if Targeting a Bachelor's
Centralia offers four direct Bachelor of Applied Science degrees on top of 50+ associate/certificate options - a relatively unusual direct 4-year pathway for a two-year college. A student aiming for one of these BAS degrees should map their associate-level coursework against the specific BAS requirements from the start, since not every technical AAS track feeds cleanly into every bachelor's completion option.
For Reentry/Corrections-Adjacent Students, Know the Second Chance Pell Pathway
Centralia operates the Education Center at both the Washington Corrections Center and Cedar Creek Corrections Center as a Second Chance Pell Experimental Site, letting eligible incarcerated students earn up to 45 core general education credits - nearly a full year toward an AA - before release, using courses that transfer anywhere in the state. A family member or reentry counselor advising someone who is currently incarcerated should raise this specific pathway directly with Centralia's Corrections Education office well before the person's release date.
Expert Insight:
A specific, avoidable error: assuming Running Start, College in the High School, and CTE Dual Credit are one interchangeable dual-enrollment program. They have different placement requirements and different structures - most notably, Running Start requires testing into college-level reading unless the student's transcript or SBAC score exempts them, which can catch families off guard if they assumed enrollment was automatic.
Centralia College Profile
Full Name
Centralia College
City
Centralia
State
Washington
ZIP Code
98531-4099
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a Centralia College Degree Worth It?
At $17,550/year against a $43,140 median graduate salary, Centralia College is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $51,500, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.95%.
How much does a degree from Centralia College Cost?
The sticker price is $17,550/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $7,600.
20.9% of students receive a Pell Grant and % take federal loans at Centralia College — file your FAFSA early and list Centralia College as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Centralia College Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $43,140 — about 6% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at Centralia College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Centralia College Admissions
Median earnings for Centralia College graduates sit around $43,140 a year.
At about $17,550 a year, Centralia College is on the more affordable end.
Centralia College's Pell Grant rate of 20.9% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
Centralia College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is FAFSA/WASFA Priority: 2026/02/01. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
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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