Public
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Longview, Washington
Lower Columbia College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$16,748Annual Cost
$40,691Grad Salary
31.1%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
$8,222
Need-Based Aid
31.1% receive Pell
Lower Columbia College, established in 1934, is a public community college in Longview, Washington. It offers programs in forestry, nursing, and advanced manufacturing. The campus features a riverfront observatory and a STEM center.
LCC is unranked but vital to the Pacific Northwest's timber and healthcare sectors. Its Columbia River location supports unique environmental studies.
Lower Columbia College Acceptance Rate
Lower Columbia College (LCC) 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).
Lower Columbia College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Lower Columbia 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
LCC 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 (April 1, 2026) 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 LCC
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Lower Columbia College's verified institutional data
--%
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.
Lower Columbia College (LCC) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if LCC is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into LCC Without SAT or ACT?
LCC'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 LCC
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into LCC is the easy part — what matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Ask About the New BSN Track Specifically
LCC recently launched its third bachelor's program, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, alongside its existing bachelor's completion degrees. Incoming nursing students should ask whether the BSN track fits their goals better than the traditional two-year ADN route, since this is a recent addition that may not appear in older program guides.
Target the TCC Endowed Scholarship for Welding/Machining/Manufacturing
This is a named, donor-funded scholarship (approximately $100,000) specifically for underrepresented students in these three fields. Eligible students should apply directly through the LCC Foundation rather than assuming general financial aid covers this kind of targeted support.
Use WABO Prep as a Direct Pipeline Into Apprenticeships
LCC's welding program explicitly incorporates preparation for the Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO) qualification test, and graduates can enter apprenticeship pathways with machinists, boilermakers, operating engineers, ironworkers, and other trades. Ask specifically which employer/apprenticeship partnerships are active in the target trade before committing to the certificate vs. AAS track.
Confirm Current Program Stability Given Recent Leadership Transitions
LCC has had multiple presidential transitions in a short period. Verify current program stability and any recent changes directly with the college rather than relying on older published materials, given this period of institutional transition.
Expert Insight:
LCC has experienced notable leadership instability recently (a president placed on administrative leave, followed by interim presidential appointments), which led at least one major donor to threaten withdrawing a planned $2 million gift. Ask directly about the current status of donor-funded scholarships and institutional stability before assuming previously advertised funding remains available at the same level.
LCC Profile
Full Name
Lower Columbia College (LCC)
City
Longview
State
Washington
ZIP Code
98632
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a LCC Degree Worth It?
At $16,748/year against a $40,691 median graduate salary, LCC 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 $55,500, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.66%.
How much does a degree from LCC Cost?
The sticker price is $16,748/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $8,222.
31.1% of students receive a Pell Grant and 18.1% take federal loans at LCC — file your FAFSA early and list LCC as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a LCC Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $40,691 — about 0% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at LCC
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About LCC Admissions
Median earnings for Lower Columbia College graduates sit around $40,691 a year.
At about $16,748 a year, Lower Columbia College is on the more affordable end.
About 31.1% receive a Pell Grant at Lower Columbia College — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
Lower Columbia College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is April 1, 2026. 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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