CBC vs. Washington State

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA with Washington State University in Pullman, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington State University is larger than CBC based on total student enrollment (25,685 students vs. 7,510 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia Basin College is located in Pasco, WA (Small City setting); Washington State University is in Pullman, WA (Distant Town setting).
• Columbia Basin College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia Basin College 20:1; Washington State University 15:1.

CBC vs. Washington State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CBC or Washington State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia Basin College than Washington State ($10,656 vs. $18,171).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia Basin College are 17.6% lower than at Washington State University ($11,222 vs. $13,622).
• Washington State University is 104.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CBC (about $6,836 more per year; $13,391.00 vs. $6,555.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 245.5% higher at Washington State than at Columbia Basin College (about $21,282 more per year; $29,950.00 vs. $8,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington State University than at Columbia Basin College (83% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington State University students is 47.8% larger than aid received by Columbia Basin College students ($10,886 vs. $7,367).

CBC vs. Washington State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CBC or Washington State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Washington State and CBC.

• Columbia Basin College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWashington State University 1020/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWashington State University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CBC - Open admission; Washington State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Washington State Jan 31, 2027.

CBC vs. Washington State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CBC and Washington State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Washington State University earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than CBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,400 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia Basin College graduates have a $9,929 lower median loan debt than Washington State graduates ($10,500 vs. $20,429).
• Among borrowers, CBC graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington State graduates ($108 vs. $211).
• More Washington State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CBC students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 48%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.