Oregon is home to several community colleges, even one near Mt. Hood.
As of 2011, Oregon is home to 17 community colleges which fall under the direction of the Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development. Each college specializes in associate degree, vocational certificate and four-year college transfer programs. In conjunction with the Oregon State Board of Education, the DCCWD approves new programs and courses offered at the state's community colleges, which are located mostly in the western half of the state.
Northwestern
Six of Oregon's community colleges are located in this part of the state, including Tillamook Bay Community College and Mt. Hood Community College.
Founded in 1984, TBCC is located in Tillamook and offers associate's degrees and vocational certificates in a variety of disciplines, including culinary arts, criminal justice, industrial maintenance technology and nursing.
MHCC operates two campuses in the city of Gresham and a third in Portland. Established in 1966, MHCC currently enrolls more than 30,000 students, offers 120 associate degree and certificate programs, and employs 1,450 faculty and staff.
Other colleges in this part of the state include Clatsop Community College in Astoria, Portland Community College, Clackamas Community College in Oregon City and Columbia Gorge Community College in The Dalles.
Mid-State
Five of Oregon's community colleges are situated in the middle part of the state, including Oregon Coast Community College and Central Oregon Community College.
OCCC was founded in 1987, enrolls 1,767 students as of 2011 and operates on a $3.9 million annual budget. The school is located in Newport and operates additional campuses in Lincoln City and Waldport.
Located on 201 acres in Bend, COCC was established in 1962 and offers 65 associate degree and certificate programs in several areas, including early childhood education, manufacturing technology and aviation science.
Other community colleges located in this part of the state include Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Linn-Benton Community College in Albany and Lane Community College in Eugene.
Southwestern
Four community colleges call the southwestern part of Oregon home, including Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay and Klamath Community College in Klamath Falls.
Founded in 1961, SOCC opened its doors to 815 students during its first year and has seen its enrollment grow to more than 10,000 students by 2011. The school is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
In 1996, the voters of Klamath County overwhelmingly approved the creation of KCC with 79 percent of the vote. During the 2010-11 school year, KCC charges resident students $68 per credit hour, non-resident students $146 per credit hour and international students $176 per credit hour. Tuition is waived for senior citizens.
Other community colleges located in this region of the state include Umpqua Community College in Roseburg and Rogue Community College in Grants Pass.
Eastern
Only two colleges are located in the eastern part of the state: Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton and Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario.
BMCC enrolls more than 10,000 students in a variety of certificate and associate degree educational programs, including political science, theater arts and computer science. The school employs more than 350 full- and part-time staff and faculty with an annual payroll budget of $7 million.
Established in 1962, TVCC enrolls more than 12,000 students and is dedicated to providing low student-to-teacher ratios and high-quality education. In addition to its main campus, TVCC operates five learning centers throughout the eastern part of the state.
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