Public
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
The Dalles, Oregon
Columbia Gorge Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$18,278Annual Cost
$44,440Grad Salary
21.5%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
$10,550
Need-Based Aid
21.5% receive Pell
Columbia Gorge Community College is a public institution in Oregon that serves its scenic region with a diverse range of associate degrees, transfer pathways, and vocational programs. The college is noted for its personalized approach to learning, supportive faculty, and responsiveness to the local economy. With a focus on student-centered services, it provides an affordable and high-value foundation for those aiming to transfer to four-year universities or acquire practical, job-ready skills.
Columbia Gorge Community College Acceptance Rate
Columbia Gorge Community 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 Columbia Gorge Community College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Columbia Gorge Community 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.
Columbia Gorge Community 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 Columbia Gorge Community College Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Columbia Gorge Community 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 Columbia Gorge Community College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Columbia Gorge Community College provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Ask specifically about the Metallica All Within My Hands Foundation scholarship if you're in a trades program
CGCC has a five-year, named partnership with Metallica's All Within My Hands Foundation supporting scholars specifically in Advanced Manufacturing/Fabrication, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Construction Technology, and Electro-Mechanical Technology. If you're pursuing any of these four specific tracks, ask financial aid about this named scholarship by title rather than assuming general institutional aid covers it - it's a distinctive, program-specific award most applicants don't know to request.
If you're interested in teaching, ask about the new Bachelor of Applied Science in Education (BASE) pathway before assuming you need to transfer out
CGCC's Board approved pursuit of an applied bachelor's degree in education (BASE) in July 2025, explicitly designed to address Oregon's teacher shortage via a flexible cohort model for students who've completed an Associate of Arts. This is still pending Oregon HECC approval, so confirm current status directly with CGCC before building a four-year plan around it, but if you want to stay local through a bachelor's degree, this is a genuine emerging option worth tracking closely rather than assuming you must transfer to a four-year school for teacher certification.
Choose your campus (The Dalles vs. Hood River) based on your specific program, not just convenience
CGCC operates a full 62-acre campus in The Dalles and a smaller auxiliary building 20 miles away in Hood River - program availability and course scheduling can differ by site. Confirm with your program advisor which location actually offers your intended courses in person before committing to a residence or commute plan, since the Hood River site is explicitly described as auxiliary rather than a full mirror of The Dalles.
If pursuing Aviation Maintenance Technology, plan around its distinct lab/equipment-based scheduling, not general open admission timing
Aviation is one of CGCC's flagship technical programs and typically runs cohort-based scheduling tied to aircraft/lab access rather than the general open-door rolling admission that applies to most other programs. Contact the Aviation program coordinator directly (not just general admissions) to confirm the next cohort start date and any program-specific prerequisites before assuming you can start "any time."
Expert Insight:
Because CGCC is genuinely open-admission ("fill out an application, and you're accepted"), students may assume every program follows the same casual timeline - but technical/lab-based programs like Aviation Maintenance and the four Metallica Foundation scholarship tracks run on cohort schedules with real capacity limits, so treat those specifically as requiring earlier planning than the general open-door process implies.
Columbia Gorge Community College Profile
Full Name
Columbia Gorge Community College
City
The Dalles
State
Oregon
ZIP Code
97058
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a Columbia Gorge Community College Degree Worth It?
Getting into Columbia Gorge Community 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. Columbia Gorge Community 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.
How much does a degree from Columbia Gorge Community College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Columbia Gorge Community College is $18,278. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Columbia Gorge Community College is $10,550.
21.5% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 9.1 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Columbia Gorge Community College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Columbia Gorge Community College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Columbia Gorge Community College as your choice in the form.
How much does a Columbia Gorge Community College Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $44,440. An average Columbia Gorge Community 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 Columbia Gorge Community College
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Columbia Gorge Community College Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $44,440 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $18,278 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
21.5% 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.