Washington's largest community college serving 11,500 students across Clark County with transfer and career pathways.
Clark College offers over 100 options for bachelor degrees, associate degrees, and certificates across six areas of study: Advanced Manufacturing and Mechanical, Business and Entrepreneurship, Creative and Communication Arts, Health Care and Biosciences, Public Service/Society/Education, and Science/Technology/Engineering. The college hosts one of the largest Running Start programs in Washington, allowing high school students to earn college credit while still in high school. Transitional Studies serves adult learners seeking high school diplomas, GED preparation, ESL, and job training. The college also provides online courses, transfer articulations, and community/continuing education programs.
The main 101-acre campus sits in Vancouver's Central Park and features the iconic Chime Tower (designed 1964), Cannell Library, O'Connell Sports Center, and a STEM building completed in 2016 ($39 million). Additional locations include Columbia Tech Center (LEED Gold certified, opened 2009), Clark College at WSU Vancouver (partnership with Washington State University), and the new Advanced Manufacturing Center at Boschma Farms in Ridgefield. Student body is 56% female, 37% students of color, with average age 27; 42% are first-generation college students and 36% are low-income.
Clark College competes in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) with teams in men's and women's basketball, soccer, cross country, track, women's softball and volleyball, and baseball. The college established a Hall of Fame in 2012 to honor student athletic achievements. The Penguin Nation mascot, Oswald, appears at college events and is central to wellness initiatives. The college offers over $1 million in scholarships annually through the Clark College Foundation.
Clark College operates an open-enrollment policy as a community college. The Welcome Center serves as the first point of contact for prospective and current students. Running Start applications are accepted for high school juniors and seniors seeking dual credit. The college provides comprehensive support services including disability access, tutoring, financial aid advising, career services, and veteran services.