- Clark College is a community college providing two-year transfer degree studies; bachelor's associate's degrees and certificate technical training, and basic skills classes each quarter.
School Highlights
Clark College serves 6,921 students (53% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 9:1 is lower than the state community college average of 11:1.
Minority enrollment is 93% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 90%.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- Enrollment: 6,921 students
- In-state tuition: $3,653
- Out-state tuition: $8,843
- Student:teacher ratio: 9:1
- Minority enrollment: 93%
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Clark College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Washington for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
School Overview
The teacher population of 799 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Clark College
(WA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
Four or more years
Four or more years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
799 staff
353 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Clark College has declined by 25% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 9:1 has decreased from 12:1 over five years.
The Clark College diversity score of 0.57 is less than the state average of 0.73. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
6,921 students
3,720 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
9:1
11:1
# Full-Time Students
3,676 students
1,814 students
# Part-Time Students
3,245 students
1,906 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
864 students
384 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
3,676 students
1,814 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
11 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
3,245 students
1,906 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
6%
8%
% Asian
2%
5%
% Hispanic
1%
1%
% Black
13%
15%
% White
7%
10%
% Hawaiian
63%
46%
% Two or more races
8%
11%
% Non Resident races
n/a
n/a
% Unknown races
1%
4%
Diversity Score
0.57
0.73
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
25%
30%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
0.3628%
0.3575%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$38,300
$36,400
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $3,653 is less than the state average of $4,105. The in-state tuition has declined by 14% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $8,843 is more than the state average of $7,359. The out-state tuition has declined by 9% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$3,653
$4,105
Out-State Tuition Fees
$8,843
$7,359
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
44%
58%
Median Debt for Graduates
$11,206
$11,794
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,400
$6,292
Acceptance Rate
n/a
100%
Sports
Total Sports Offered
7 sports
Sports
Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Softball, Track and Field, Volleyball
Source: 2023 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Notes
- Clark College was founded as a private, two-year junior college in 1933 and was granted initial accreditation in 1936-37 based upon a visit by a committee of five professors from the University of Washington. The college received accreditation from the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges in 1948 and has maintained that standing through periodic reviews to the present. In 1951, an evening program began and the Applied Arts Center became the first building on the current 80-acre campus in Vancouver's Central Park. Student enrollment settled at around 4,800 through the late 1950s and early 1960s; then grew again to the 8,000 mark by the end of the 1970s reflecting a population surge in Clark County. A reduction in funding and a State-mandated lid kept enrollments level during the mid-1980s. The location of several major electronics firms and related-service industries in Clark County spurred strong economic growth, multiple employment opportunities for Clark's associate in applied science degree graduates, and boosted enrollments to nearly 11,000 students per quarter during the past 10 years. The main campus is located on an 90-acre arboretum in Vancouver's historic Central Park just east of the Interstate 5 freeway and north of the Columbia River and Fort Vancouver Historic Reserve. Classes are also offered at the Washington State University Vancouver branch campus in Salmon Creek and the Columbia Tech Center satellite nine miles east of the main campus. The establishment of a Washington State University branch campus in Vancouver in 1989 and creation of the Cooperative Agreement for Transfer (CAT) between Clark College and WSU Vancouver..
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Clark College cost?
Clark College's tuition is approximately $3,653 for In-State students and $8,843 for Out-State students.
What sports does Clark College offer?
Clark College offers 7 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Softball, Track and Field and Volleyball.
What is Clark College's ranking?
Clark College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Washington for: Largest student body.
In what neighborhood is Clark College located?
Clark College is located in the Central Park neighborhood of Vancouver, WA.
Recent Articles
How to Learn Online Successfully
In this article, we discuss the unique challenges and opportunities that adult learners face while learning online. We offer you practical tips on creating a productive learning environment, managing your time effectively, and making the most of your course's resources.
Community Colleges Fight Back Against For-Profit Attacks: The Rebuttal
After being attacked by private colleges, community colleges are mounting a defense and publishing studies that clearly outline the differences between the public and private institutions.
Why President Obama is Hailed as the Community College President
Learn how President Obama, who is considered the "Community College President," has rightly earned his title based upon his proposed funding and support for community colleges throughout the country.
