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Columbia Gorge Community College
The Dalles, Oregon · Public community college
Address: 400 E Scenic Dr, The Dalles, OR 97058 · Phone: (541) 506-6011 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Columbia Gorge Community College is a public trade and career school in The Dalles, Oregon offering construction trades programs and medical assistant programs, accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Columbia Gorge Community College has a 28.7% completion rate, below the Oregon state average of 55.4%, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median graduate debt is $19,397 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $44,440.
Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, can be used here, and about 29.2% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers | $39,210 | $50,860 | $62,200 |
| Medical assistants | $43,760 | $50,410 | $59,160 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Oregon (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 5 | not reported | $33,993 | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, under 300 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Columbia Gorge Community College is a public community college located in The Dalles, Oregon, a remote-town setting. The school is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and participates in Title IV federal financial aid, meaning students can use FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal loans to help pay for their education. Its trade-related offerings are concentrated in construction trades programs and medical assistant programs, with construction trades being the larger of the two by completions.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 28.7%, which is below the Oregon state average of 55.4%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $19,397, and the median earnings for former students 10 years after entry was $44,440. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 29.2% of students at the college receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of low-income students are enrolled.
This campus may suit students interested in shorter, hands-on construction trades or medical assistant training rather than a full associate-degree path, though specific program lengths are not detailed here. Anyone considering enrollment, especially adult career-changers, should confirm current program length, schedule, and cost directly with the school. Prospective students can verify accreditation status and review updated outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard before applying.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Columbia Gorge Community College offers construction trades programs (11 completers) and medical assistant programs (5 completers), among 3 total programs tracked.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the college is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and its accreditation status is listed as accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can apply for FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal loans.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 28.7%, which is below the Oregon state average of 55.4%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $19,397, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings for former students 10 years after entry are $44,440.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (541) 506-6011 or visit https://www.cgcc.edu/ for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Columbia Gorge Community College is a public institution, which often means lower tuition for in-state residents compared to for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported in the data provided; contact the school directly to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and review federal outcome data at the College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?420556.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not specify program schedules or formats, so fit for adult career-changers cannot be confirmed from federal data alone; contact the school to ask about flexible or accelerated options.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing or certification requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school or check state licensing boards for construction trades or medical assistant roles.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Columbia Gorge Community College at (541) 506-6011 or through its website at https://www.cgcc.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included here; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across institutions.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.