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Columbia College

Sonora, CA·Public·https://www.gocolumbia.edu/

Campus Identity

Lake LifeSki TownVery Safe

Columbia College is a public community college in Sonora, CA. The campus sits on New Melones Lake, just 4 miles from the water. Ski resorts are within 26 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 90/100 (Very Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Columbia College is a public community college in Sonora, CA. The campus sits on New Melones Lake, just 4 miles from the water. Ski resorts are within 26 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 90/100 (Very Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

N/A
Acceptance Rate
N/A
ACT Score (50th %ile)
$1,282
2024-25 Tuition
In-state rate
$11,316
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
N/A
Room & Board
N/A
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
N/A
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
N/A
Graduation Rate

Campus Lifestyle

Columbia College is a 1,000–4,999, rural school. The campus is 26 miles from Dodge Ridge Ski Area.

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Rural setting

Ski Access

26 miles

Dodge Ridge Ski Area

Weather

Warm Climate

53°F avg school-year

Ski Town

Columbia College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Dodge Ridge Ski Area, 26 miles away with 10 lifts and 862 skiable acres. All are within 45 miles of campus.

26 mi away
862 skiable acres10 lifts
37 mi away
1,680 skiable acres10 lifts
Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area

California

45 mi away
88 skiable acres5 lifts

Lake Life Campus

New Melones Lake is 4 miles from campus, making it a true lake-life school, giving Columbia College students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.

New Melones Lake

Lake access within 4.1 miles

4 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Sonora, CA

Sonora has a mild climate, with winters averaging 44°F in Dec and summers peaking around 75°F in Jul.

44°Jan46°Feb50°Mar53°Apr61°May68°Jun75°Jul74°Aug69°Sep60°Oct50°Nov44°Dec

Station: SONORA · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Columbia College in CA earns a composite safety score of 90/100, rated Very Safe among U.S. colleges.

90/100
Very Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety8910079
89/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
100/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
79/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$1,282$9,264
Fees
$74$74
Total
$1,356$9,338
In-StateOut-of-State
$11,316avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

69 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesAssociate's
105 grads/yr$31,449
Fire ProtectionCertificate
68 grads/yr
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesCertificate
50 grads/yr
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, GeneralAssociate's
47 grads/yr
Psychology, GeneralAssociate's
27 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Associate's105 grads$31,449
Fire Protection
Certificate68 grads
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Certificate50 grads
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
Associate's47 grads
Psychology, General
Associate's27 grads
Culinary Arts and Related Services
Certificate26 grads
Fire Protection
Associate's20 grads
Biological and Physical Sciences
Associate's16 grads
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Associate's14 grads
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
Associate's13 grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Columbia College located?

Columbia College is located in Sonora, CA. The main campus address is 11600 Columbia College Dr, Sonora, CA. It is a public institution offering 2-year associate degree programs.

How much does it cost to attend Columbia College?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Columbia College charges $1,282/year for in-state students and $9,264/year for out-of-state students. Including room and board, the total estimated cost is approximately $7,442/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $11,316/year — what students actually pay. Use Columbia College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

Is Columbia College the right fit for me?

Whether Columbia College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions requirements, avg net price ($11,316/year after aid), campus culture in Sonora, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Columbia College against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Columbia College directly for the most current information.

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Quick Facts

Type
Public
Location
Sonora, CA
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Associate's, Certificates
School Year Weather
Warm · 53°F avg
On Campus Safety Score
90/100
Nearest Airport
Modesto, CA (MOD) · 42 mialso MER (46 mi), SCK (47 mi)

Location

Sonora, CA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.