Public
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Vancouver, Washington
Clark College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$17,485Annual Cost
$42,356Grad Salary
22.1%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
$9,826
Need-Based Aid
22.1% receive Pell
Clark College serves Southwest Washington from its 101-acre main campus in Vancouver. Established in 1933, the college offers over 100 degree and certificate programs with strengths in nursing, advanced manufacturing, and computer science. The campus features the state-of-the-art STEM Building and the Archer Gallery.
Clark's 'Running Start' program allows high school students to earn college credit. The college's 'Corporate and Continuing Education' provides workforce training, while its 'Penguin Pantry' addresses student food insecurity. Clark maintains strong transfer agreements with Washington State University and other institutions.
Clark College Acceptance Rate
Clark College maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Clark College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Clark 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.
Clark College Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Clark College Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Clark College is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Clark College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Clark College provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Understand why the BAS in Dental Hygiene is structurally different from Clark's other bachelor's degrees
Unlike Clark's other Bachelor of Applied Science degrees - which require students to already hold an associate degree and enter as juniors, finishing in two years or less - the BAS in Dental Hygiene is a full four-year entry-level program that students can begin without a prior associate degree. It's also selective: the application deadline is January 8 each year for fall entry, requires a non-refundable $50 program application fee, uses a point-system selection process, and requires an applicable GPA of 2.60+ (both overall and specifically in science coursework, with science courses no more than seven years old). Notably, that same 2.60 threshold mirrors Clark's Nursing program requirement, giving students a real fallback health-care option if they aren't selected into Dental Hygiene. Clinical training happens in a 30-chair clinic with a radiology suite and simulation lab at the Firstenburg Dental Hygiene Education and Care Center, plus off-campus sites in both Washington and Oregon.
Use Washington's Running Start program precisely, not as a vague "dual enrollment" concept
Running Start is Washington State's specific tuition-free dual-credit program, allowing eligible high school juniors and seniors to take Clark College courses - tuition-free - while still completing their high school diploma, with many students earning a full associate degree by high school graduation. Clark runs regular virtual information sessions followed by in-person Application & Enrollment Support Nights specifically to walk families through eligibility, placement testing, and enrollment steps. Families of Vancouver-area juniors and seniors should be pointed to these specific sessions rather than a generic "check with your high school" response, since Clark structures real, staffed support around the Running Start application process.
Nursing applicants should know the program is physically located at WSU Vancouver, not the main Clark campus
Clark's nursing program operates out of Clark College at Washington State University Vancouver, using state-of-the-art laboratories including a simulation lab for realistic clinical scenario training - a genuine co-location partnership between the two-year and four-year institutions, not just a generic "we partner with WSU" claim. Clark also maintains a satellite location at the Columbia Tech Center in east Vancouver. Nursing-track students should plan their commute and course-scheduling expectations around the WSU Vancouver location specifically, rather than assuming all coursework happens at Clark's main Fort Vancouver Way campus.
Note Clark's Bee Campus USA designation and stackable BAS model for career-focused students
Clark's main 101-acre campus at Vancouver Central Park earned Bee Campus USA designation in 2023, reflecting pollinator-friendly campus land management - a small but genuine sustainability credential worth knowing for environmentally-minded students. More practically, most of Clark's Bachelor of Applied Science degrees (Applied Management/BASAM, Cybersecurity, Human Services in Addiction Counseling, and others) are specifically designed to stack on top of an existing Clark associate degree, letting working adults complete a bachelor's in two years or less - a genuinely efficient pathway for career-changers or students advancing in a current job, distinct from a traditional four-year bachelor's timeline.
Expert Insight:
"Clark College" is easily confused with other similarly-named institutions nationally, most notably Clark University (Worcester, MA) and Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, GA, an HBCU) - this is Clark College in Vancouver, Washington, an entirely separate open-admission community college. Separately, general open-door admission to Clark does not extend to its Health Occupations programs (Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Medical Radiography, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy, EMT), which require additional, competitive-entry applications - students and families should confirm which specific health program they're applying to and verify its separate application deadline and requirements rather than assuming general admission covers program entry.
Clark College Profile
Full Name
Clark College
City
Vancouver
State
Washington
ZIP Code
98663-3598
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a Clark College Degree Worth It?
Getting into Clark College can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Clark College offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Clark College is $64,200 and the graduate unemployment rate is 4.16%.
How much does a degree from Clark College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Clark College is $17,485. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Clark College is $9,826.
22.1% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 19.5 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Clark College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Clark College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Clark College as your choice in the form.
How much does a Clark College Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $42,356. An average Clark College graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at Clark College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Clark College Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $42,356 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $17,485 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
22.1% of students receive a Pell Grant here, which is below the national average of around 35%. This institution serves a higher proportion of higher-income students. Merit-based scholarships may still be available regardless of financial need — check the official financial aid page of the institute for details.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.