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$6,941Tuition
977Students
23%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$38,375Earnings
Public2-yearData: 2023-24

About Blue Mountain Community College

Blue Mountain Community College prepares students for careers in healthcare, skilled trades, and four-year university transfer programs across rural eastern Oregon. The college serves 977 students in Pendleton, a town surrounded by wheat fields and the Blue Mountains. Nearly three-quarters of students come from Oregon, with many choosing two-year programs that lead directly to employment in the region's healthcare facilities and manufacturing companies.

The financial picture works in students' favor compared to many colleges. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay around $10,592 after aid, while those from higher-income families pay up to $15,463. Graduates earn a median of $38,375 ten years after starting, with typical debt loads of just $12,000. Monthly loan payments average $127, making this one of the more affordable paths to career training in the Pacific Northwest.

The student body is 61% women and reflects the region's growing diversity, with Hispanic students making up nearly 30% of enrollment. The Timberwolves compete in nine varsity sports with 163 total athletes. With a 94.6% employment rate, most graduates find work quickly after completing their programs, though the 23% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face balancing work and school.

Academics & Faculty

Blue Mountain Community College serves as eastern Oregon's primary pathway for healthcare and skilled trades education. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio provides personal attention crucial for hands-on programs like nursing, dental hygiene, and welding. With a 22.8% graduation rate, the college reflects the challenges many working students face completing degrees while balancing jobs and family obligations. The school excels at workforce preparation, with graduates earning a median of $38,375 after ten years. Transfer programs help students move to four-year universities, while career-focused programs train students for immediate employment in agriculture, healthcare, and construction industries that drive the regional economy.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
18:1
Full-Time Faculty
34.1%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
22.8%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$38,375

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Associate $23,340
Agricultural Production Operations. Associate $21,894
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Associate $20,140

View all 44 programs →

Campus Life

Blue Mountain Community College sits in Pendleton, a small town in eastern Oregon's wheat country, about 200 miles from Portland. The campus serves 977 students in a region known for its rolling hills and the famous Pendleton Round-Up rodeo. Winters require heavy coats as temperatures drop well below freezing, while summers bring dry heat that reaches the 90s.

With 61% of students being women, the campus has a practical, no-nonsense feel focused on getting students into careers or transferring to four-year schools. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name. Most students commute from surrounding rural communities since this is primarily a commuter campus. The Timberwolves field 9 varsity sports teams with 163 total athletes, creating some school spirit despite the small size. Weekends often see students heading home to family ranches or working part-time jobs. The 94.6% employment rate reflects the college's strong connections to local healthcare facilities, manufacturing, and agricultural businesses that actively recruit graduates.
Setting
Town-Distant
Calendar System
Quarter
Founded
1962

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Stalking 1 0 0 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
28°–41°F
Annual Precipitation
78.0"
Annual Snowfall
-753.7"

Student Demographics

Blue Mountain draws students from across eastern Oregon's farming and ranching communities, with nearly three-quarters coming from in-state. Women make up 61% of the student body, reflecting strong enrollment in the college's nursing and healthcare programs. The school serves a diverse rural population, with 30% Hispanic students representing the region's agricultural workforce families. With 37% of students receiving Pell Grants, Blue Mountain provides an affordable pathway for first-generation college students and working adults seeking career changes in healthcare, trades, or university transfer programs.
Men
38.9%
Women
61.1%
White
43.0%
Black
1.5%
Hispanic
29.9%
Asian
1.0%
In-State Students
72.6%
Pell Grant Recipients
37.2%

Location

Blue Mountain Community College sits in Pendleton, Oregon, about 200 miles east of Portland in the rural Columbia River Plateau. The town of 17,000 is famous for the Pendleton Round-Up, one of the country's oldest rodeos. With 72.56% of students coming from in-state, many arrive from small farming and ranching communities across eastern Oregon. The campus serves a region where agriculture and outdoor recreation dominate the economy. Pendleton combines small-town charm with western heritage, surrounded by wheat fields and the nearby Blue Mountains. The setting reflects the college's focus on practical programs that serve rural communities. Students considering colleges in Oregon may also compare Blue Mountain Community College with similar schools in the region.
Address
Pendleton, Oregon 97801

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$38,375
Median Earnings (5 years)
$40,127
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$29,200
Loan Repayment Rate
32.6%
Monthly Loan Payment
$127/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Blue Mountain Community College?

Blue Mountain Community College has an open admission policy typical of community colleges, welcoming students who are high school graduates or have earned a GED. The college serves 977 students in rural eastern Oregon with a focus on making education accessible to the local community. About 73% of students come from in-state, reflecting the school's role as a regional educational center.

How much does Blue Mountain Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $12,133 annually at Blue Mountain Community College. In-state tuition runs $6,941 while out-of-state students pay $9,551, making it an affordable option for workforce training and transfer programs. About 37% of students receive Pell Grants, helping keep costs manageable for working-class families in eastern Oregon.

What programs is Blue Mountain Community College known for?

Blue Mountain Community College specializes in healthcare, trades, and transfer education that serves the rural economy of eastern Oregon. The college maintains an 18:1 student-faculty ratio, allowing for hands-on training in technical fields. Students can choose from programs designed either for immediate workforce entry or for transferring to four-year universities.

What are the employment outcomes for Blue Mountain Community College graduates?

Graduates achieve a 94.6% employment rate, reflecting strong job placement in the region's healthcare and trades sectors. Ten years after graduation, median earnings reach $38,375, which is competitive for rural Oregon's cost of living. However, only 23% of students complete their programs within six years, typical of community colleges serving working adults and part-time students.

Where is Blue Mountain Community College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Pendleton, Oregon, a town-distant setting in the rural eastern part of the state. With 163 student athletes competing in 9 varsity sports as the Timberwolves, the school maintains an active athletic program despite its small size. The student body is 61% female and diverse, with 30% Hispanic students reflecting the agricultural workforce demographics of the region.

Does Blue Mountain Community College offer financial support beyond federal aid?

About 20% of students receive institutional grants averaging $5,736, supplementing federal financial aid programs. The college awards $324,858 in athletic scholarships across its sports programs, providing additional pathways for students to afford their education. Monthly loan payments average just $127 for graduates, keeping debt burdens manageable for those entering the workforce.