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.

2022-2023 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: $4,261 ($1,420 per quarter)
• Books and supplies: $702 ($234 per quarter)
• Total: $4,963 ($1,654 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)

2022-2023 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: $7,371 ($2,457 per quarter)
• Books and supplies: $702 ($234 per quarter)
• Total: $8,073 ($2,691 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)

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.

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.