About Clark College

campus photo

Clark College is Southwest Washington’s largest public institution of higher education. An open-enrollment community college, it welcomes students of all ages and backgrounds pursuing their educational or career paths each quarter. Students can earn high school diplomas, GEDs, certificates, and degrees in a variety of programs including nursing, dental hygiene, and mechatronics, to name a few. Also, Clark's Running Start program enrolls high school students so they can earn college credit for little or no cost.

Founded in 1933 as a private, two-year, junior college, Clark College received its first accreditation in 1937 and has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities since 1948. It was incorporated into the statewide community college system in 1967.

Clark College's main campus sits on the beautiful 101-acre Vancouver Central Park in the heart of Vancouver, Washington. The college also offers classes on the campus of Washington State University Vancouver and at a satellite location in east Vancouver at the Columbia Tech Center. The college's non-credit Economic & Community Development program, offers corporate and continuing-education classes. Clark College has collaborated on partnerships with many regional colleges, universities, and technical institutions, allowing students to apply credits earned at Clark toward their bachelor's degrees.

Athletic programs at Clark College include men's and women's basketball, co-ed cross country, men's and women's soccer, softball, volleyball, and baseball. Clark College is a member of the Northwest Athletic Conference.

Events and Rentals

Clark hosts many events that are open to the community throughout the year, including music concerts, athletic events, lectures, and more. Community members may also rent facilities on campus for events.

Activities Calendar

Arts and Events

Rental Information

News and Media

Our Communications and Marketing department works within the college and with media, community, and business partners to tell the story of Clark College. They also run and maintain the main social media channels and clark.edu website.

Clark College News Site

News Releases

Media Resources

Maps and Directions

Clark College's main campus is located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, Washington. We also have satellite locations throughout the area.

Maps and Directions

About Southwest Washington

Vision

Clark College inspires learners to excel, transforms lives, and strengthens our increasingly diverse community.

Mission

Clark College, in service to the community, guides individuals to achieve their educational and professional goals.

History and Traditions

Founded in 1933, Clark College is the oldest institution of higher education in Southwest Washington. Founded as a private, two-year, junior college, Clark College received its first accreditation in 1937 and has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities since 1948. It was incorporated into the statewide community college system in 1967. Clark has developed a rich history and relationship with both its own community and the community around it. Many of its annual events, like its Jazz Fest and Sakura Festival, are traditions that go back years or even decades.

College Theme: Transformation

A college theme represents a common idea that the entire college, and the community that we serve, can gather around. Clark College’s Strategic Plan is founded on the core principle of the learning college: the work undertaken by each and every member of the college community shares the common outcome of student learning. In alignment with this, the college theme will be integrated across a broad sweep of college services.