Washington's oldest community college, founded 1925, serving Lewis and south Thurston counties.
Centralia College primarily offers certificates and Associate degrees across 57 areas of study, including Arts, Humanities & Communication, Business, Education, Healthcare, Science/Technology/Engineering/Math, Skilled Trades, and Social Sciences. The college also offers four Bachelor of Applied Science degrees: Applied Management, Behavioral Healthcare, Diesel Technology, and Teacher Education (K–8). Programs span transfer pathways, workforce development, and basic skills including GED and ESL preparation.
The main campus occupies 29 acres in Centralia with a satellite campus (CC East) in Morton. In 2023, the college completed an off-campus student apartment complex housing up to 110 students in partnership with Collegiate Housing International. The campus features Bob Peters Field (4.0 acres, completed 2023) with baseball, softball, and soccer facilities. Notable artworks include murals by Alden Mason and William Spafford's Twelve Labors of Hercules series. Athletics include women's volleyball, men's baseball, men's and women's basketball, women's softball, and women's golf competing in the NWAC.
Centralia College offers multiple pathways: New Student Admissions, Returning Student Admissions, Running Start (tuition-free for high school juniors/seniors), College in the High School, CTE Dual Credit, Transfer Student Admissions, and Transitional Studies (GED, high school diploma, ESL). The college also serves international students and offers a Nursing program. Enrollment services can be reached at admissionsCC@centralia.edu or 360-623-8976.
As of 2024–2025, 53% of students are age 25 or younger, 49% identify as Latino, and 49% are low-income. Approximately 600 high school students participate in Running Start. The three-year completion rate is 37%, with over 57% re-enrolling the following year. The college serves a population of over 75,000 across Lewis and south Thurston counties.