Tuition & Fees

The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) has legislative authority to set tuition rates. They also set some fees, while other fees are determined at the college level. The charts below show basic tuition and fee rates for state-supported courses, broken out on a per-credit basis for resident, non-resident, international and veteran students. There are two levels of tuition rates. Lower division rates apply to certificate and associate degree programs. Upper division rates apply to applied bachelor's degrees only. Additional (miscellaneous) fees are described below the tuition rates.

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2023-2024 Cost of Attendance Estimate: Full Time Student (Lower Division - Certificates and Associate Degrees)

Estimated cost of attendance for the academic year (three quarters), based on 12 credits per quarter for Washington residents.

• Tuition and fees: $4488 ($1496 per quarter)
• Books and supplies: $762 ($254 per quarter)
• Total: $5250 ($1750 per quarter)

(not included: room and board, child care, transportation or some miscellaneous fees). Compare tuition and college costs at Washington Student Achievement Council.

See also: HB 1795 disclosures about sources of institutional revenue received, and uses of tuition revenue collected.

Lower Division Tuition Table: Certificates and Associate Degrees

(Facilities Use, Technology, Tutor Center, Fitness Center Upgrade, and Registration Matriculation fees included)

*Nonresident tuition rate is for the balance after q

ualifying Non-Resident waivers have been applied

2023-2024 Cost of Attendance Estimate: Full Time Student (Upper Division - Applied Bachelor Degrees only)

Estimated cost of attendance for the academic year (three quarters), based on 12 credits per quarter for Washington residents.

• Tuition and fees: $7692 ($2564 per quarter)
• Books and supplies:  $762 ($254 per quarter)
  
• Total: $8454 ($2818 per quarter)

(not included: room and board, child care, transportation or some miscellaneous fees). Compare tuition and college costs at Washington Student Achievement Council.

See also: HB 1795 disclosures about sources of institutional revenue received, and uses of tuition revenue collected.

Upper Division Tuition Table: Applied Bachelor Degrees only

(Facilities Use, Technology, Tutor Center, Fitness Center Upgrade, and Matriculation fees included)

*Nonresident tuition rate is for the balance after qualifying Non-Resident waivers have been applied

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Washington State Residents

Residents of Washington state must verify that they have lived in Washington for one year and have established residency in Washington, including U.S. citizenship. If residency cannot be determined at the time of registration, the student will be required to pay non-resident tuition and fees. Complete residency rules are detailed in RCW 28B.15.012.

Students who are not permanent residents or U.S. citizens may be eligible for reduced tuition, if they resided in Washington for three years immediately prior to receiving a high school diploma, and completed the full senior year at a Washington high school or completed the equivalent of a high school diploma. To determine eligibility, contact the Director of Registration at (360) 442-2372.

Oregon Border Residents

Residents of Oregon Border Counties (Columbia, Clackamas, Clatsop, Multnomah, Washington) for 90 days or more may qualify for a reduced rate.

Nonresidents (US Citizens not WA Residents)

Individuals who do not otherwise qualify as “residents” under the provisions of RCW 28B.15.012 and RCW 28B.15.013 pay the nonresident rate. See also: "International Students."

• Nonresident Operating: in ctcLink, this is tuition charged to students and is the same amount charged to residents (for resident students this appears as Resident Operating).
• Nonresident Operating Diff: in ctcLink, this is the difference in tuition costs between resident and nonresident charges.

Nonresidents (Operating Fee Differential Only Waiver)

Individuals who have lived in the State of Washington for 90 days or more and who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, as defined by the USCIS, may pay this rate.

Veterans

Veterans of the Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan conflicts may be eligible for reduced tuition and fees. For details see lowercolumbia.edu/veterans or visit the Veterans Office in the Student Center.

International Students

Those who are not eligible to pay the “Washington Residents,” “Oregon Border Residents,” or “Nonresidents” rate pay the "International Students" rate. For details see lowercolumbia.edu/international-students or email the International Programs Office at international@lowercolumbia.edu.

Special Audit Rate for Senior Citizens

Washington residents age 60 or older may be eligible to audit up to two classes per quarter at a discounted rate. For more information and instructions on requesting a waiver, visit Tuition Waiver for Senior Citizens Page, or see the fee section, below.

Tuition Waivers

Students may qualify for reduced tuition if they are a:

• Classified state employee or Washington Public Higher Education Employee
• Student seeking a high school diploma
• Student enrolled in more than 18 credits of vocational classes
• Washington National Guard member

For details, contact the Registration Office, (360) 442-2370.

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Miscellaneous Fees

In addition to tuition, LCC students may be assessed fees based on program and course selections.

• Resident S&A fee: Services and activity fee used to cover student activities and programs.
• Resident Building Fee: A fee that supports building and innovation.
• Resident Operating Fee: A fee that supports school operations.

 

College and Career Preparation (CCP)

Students enrolling in College and Career Preparation (CCP) courses pay $25 per quarter.

Apprenticeship

Students enrolled in apprenticeship programs pay 50%/credit. They also pay the Technology, Facilities, Tutoring Center and Fitness Center Upgrade fees.

Computer Lab

A fee of $37.58 per class is charged for classes that use a computer lab.

Distance Education

A fee is charged for courses that use LCC's learning management system, Canvas, or other online systems. The Distance Education fee is $20 per class for online, enhanced and hybrid classes, with a maximum of $60 per quarter.

English Language Learning (ELL)

Students enrolling in English Language Learning (ELL) courses pay $25 per quarter.

Facilities Use (included in posted tuition rates)

Quarterly tuition includes a $2.02 per credit fee (up to 18 credits) for facilities maintenance and college security.

Fitness Center Upgrade (included in posted tuition rates)

Quarterly tuition includes a $2.50 per credit fee (up to 10 credits) to fund an upgrade of the campus fitness center.

Fitness Center Use

The Fitness Center Use fee is a flat $20.00 per student per quarter.

GED Courses

Students enrolling in GED preparation courses pay $25 per quarter.

GED Testing

$20 for the entire battery of tests.

High School Completion

Students taking courses to earn a high school diploma are charged a per credit fee based upon residency status. Residents pay $59.57 + $10.05 fees/credit for 1-10 credits and $29.49 + $5.55 fees/credit for 11-18 credits. Nonresidents pay $119.13 +$10.05 fees/credit for 1-10 credits and $58.94 + $5.55 fees/credit for 11-18 credits.

ID Card Replacement

All new LCC students are provided with an identification (ID) card. ID cards are required for campus services such as the library, computer labs and testing centers. Student ID cards are available in the Admissions Center Building (ADC), Room 151, next to Advising. The ID card is NOT issued quarterly; it is valid for the duration of the student’s time at LCC. The charge for a replacement ID card is $10.00.

Lab

Nonrefundable lab fees are collected for certain classes. Where applicable, this fee is shown with class listings in the class schedule.

Matriculation

Quarterly tuition includes a matriculation fee of $1.50/credit, up to 10 credits.

Parent Education

Parent Education fees are $28.00/credit.

Parking Permit Replacement

All LCC students are provided with a parking permit (sticker) each year at no charge once tuition arrangements have been made. Permits are valid for the entire academic year (fall through summer). Permits can be picked up at Cashiering in Admissions. The charge for a replacement parking permit is $10.00.

Resident Excess Credit

Residents pay $110.87 per credit for credits exceeding 18 in any one quarter for lower division classes, and $227.39 per credit for upper division classes.

Running Start

Running Start students will be charged tuition for college credits exceeding 15 in any one quarter (charged at the 1-10 credit tuition rates for 16 credits and above). This does not apply to those enrolled in vocational programs or at Skills Centers. Running Start students are responsible for paying applicable college fees.

Senior Citizen Discount

Washington residents age 60 or older may be eligible to audit up to two classes per quarter for $2.50 per class, plus fees. For more information, visit https://lowercolumbia.edu/registration/senior-audit-waiver/.

State Employees

Eligible LCC (state) employees pay $10 per class, plus applicable fees.

Student Support Fee (included in posted tuition rates)

Quarterly tuition includes a $2.00 per credit student support fee (up to 12 credits) to provide funding for the creation of the Diversity and Equity Center professional staff, peer mentorship program, and administrative resources.

Technology (included in posted tuition rates)

Quarterly tuition includes a $3.75 per credit technology fee (up to 12 credits). A photo ID card, which serves as your activities card, library card and computer lab card, is issued as part of this fee. The ID card is not issued quarterly; it is valid as long as you are at LCC. See "ID Card Replacement" for lost, stolen, or damaged cards.

Transcript

A $10.25 fee is charged for each official transcript requested, including a small processing fee. Unofficial transcripts can be printed from ctcLink at no charge. For instructions and more information, visit https://lowercolumbia.edu/transcripts/.

Tutor Center (included in posted tuition rates)

Quarterly tuition includes a $.50 per credit fee (up to 10 credits) to fund tutoring services available to all LCC students in most courses.

Vocational Excess Credit

Vocational students taking over 18 credits who meet certain requirements pay $7/credit (residents); nonresidents over 18 credits pay $28/credit.

Other fees may also apply for specific courses and circumstances. View other fees.