Portland Community College vs. Columbia Gorge Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Portland Community College in Portland, OR with Columbia Gorge Community College in The Dalles, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Portland Community College is larger than Columbia Gorge Community College based on total student enrollment (20,861 students vs. 812 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Portland Community College is located in Portland, OR (Large City setting); Columbia Gorge Community College is in The Dalles, OR (Remote Town setting).
• Portland Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Columbia Gorge Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Portland Community College 19:1; Columbia Gorge Community College 12:1.

Portland Community College vs. Columbia Gorge Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Portland Community College or Columbia Gorge Community College? 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 Portland Community College than Columbia Gorge Community College ($9,372 vs. $11,778).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia Gorge Community College are 52.5% lower than at Portland Community College ($7,341 vs. $15,462).
• Columbia Gorge Community College is 13.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Portland Community College (about $720 more per year; $5,940.00 vs. $5,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at Portland Community College than at Columbia Gorge Community College (about $180 more per year; $10,440.00 vs. $10,260.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia Gorge Community College than at Portland Community College (81% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Portland Community College students is 5.8% larger than aid received by Columbia Gorge Community College students ($7,297 vs. $6,900).

Portland Community College vs. Columbia Gorge Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Portland Community College or Columbia Gorge Community College? 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 Columbia Gorge Community College and Portland Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Portland Community College - Open admission; Columbia Gorge Community College - Open admission.

Portland Community College vs. Columbia Gorge Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Portland Community College and Columbia Gorge Community College? 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia Gorge Community College graduates have a $4,022 lower median loan debt than Portland Community College graduates ($12,770 vs. $16,792).
• Among borrowers, Columbia Gorge Community College graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Portland Community College graduates ($132 vs. $173).
• More Portland Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia Gorge Community College students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 30%)

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.