Centralia College is the oldest community college in Washington State, founded in 1925, in a small town halfway between Seattle and Portland. Students take two-year transfer degrees before moving on to universities like the University of Washington or Washington State, or finish applied bachelor's degrees in areas like IT and diesel technology. It's a very low-cost way to begin a US degree.
Centralia, Washington, United States
Official website: centralia.edu
1925, the oldest community college in Washington State
Public community college
Direct transfer agreements with Washington universities
$10,000 – $13,000
International students, associate and applied bachelor's
$11,000 – $14,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on centralia.edu before you apply.
Associate in Arts (Direct Transfer)
Associate DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan, Apr
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
Associate in Science (Transfer)
Associate DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan, Apr
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BAS Information Technology
Bachelors DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BAS Applied Management
Bachelors DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
Washington's oldest community college.
Transfer paths into state universities after two years.
A quiet town with low living costs.
Most students transfer to four-year universities to finish their degree.
Applied bachelor's graduates may qualify for OPT.
Local employers include hospitals, logistics firms and the state government in nearby Olympia.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
No PG intake
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
No PG intake
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
No PG intake
The campus is small and walkable, near the town's historic downtown and train station.
Centralia is a small town with low rent. Olympia is 30 minutes away, and Seattle and Portland are each about 90 minutes by car or Amtrak.
Form I-20 issued by Centralia College
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Centralia accepts international applications on a rolling basis for each quarter. Apply about three months ahead.
Classes start in fall, winter and spring quarters.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from Centralia College first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
The transfer associate degrees and applied bachelor's in IT and management are the main options. Entry needs high school completion and IELTS 6.0, or you can take English classes first.
The college has some scholarships for continuing international students. Ask the international programmes office.
