Centralia College

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Centralia College is a public two-year college in Centralia, Washington. Founded in 1925, it is the oldest continuously operating community college in the state. The main campus sits on 29 acres in downtown Centralia, with a branch center called Centralia College East in Morton. The college also offers online and distance courses.

Programs and degrees
Centralia College mainly awards certificates and Associate degrees, and it now offers several Bachelor of Applied Science degrees, including Applied Management, Diesel Technology, and Information Science and Application Development. It serves students from a large area in Lewis County and southern Thurston County.

History and accreditation
The college opened on September 14, 1925, as Centralia Junior College, created through an agreement with the University of Washington and local schools. It was the first junior college in Washington and predates the statewide community and technical college system. It earned accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities in 1948. Kemp Hall, its first major building, opened in 1950.

Enrollment and community
Enrollment has varied over the years. It peaked around 8,500 students in 2009-2010, and later ranged around 4,000–6,000. In 2024-25, about 4,840 students were enrolled. About 53% are 25 or younger, roughly 49% are Latino, and about 49% are low-income. Around 600 high school students take Running Start classes, and about 57% re-enroll from year to year. The college’s three-year completion rate is about 37%.

Housing and support
In 2023-24, Centralia College partnered with Collegiate Housing International to open Scholars Haven, an off-campus housing complex for up to 110 students. It provides affordable housing and is used to support Running Start; in 2024-25 it also served as temporary housing for Centralia High School students who are homeless.

Art and culture
The campus features murals, including The Twelve Labors of Hercules by Michael Spafford, which was moved to the college in 2002. The college also houses works by Alden Mason and Robert Calvo, and a mural of Merce Cunningham is displayed in Washington Hall.

Athletics
The college’s teams are the Trailblazers, competing in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC). Teams include women’s volleyball, baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s softball, and women’s golf. The Bob Peters Field athletic complex opened recently on a 4-acre site and includes facilities for baseball, softball, and soccer. The project was funded in part by student fees and named after longtime athletic director Bob Peters.

Library and history
Kirk Library serves students and the campus hosts notable murals and art collections. The school has a history tied to local events and figures in the region, including a connection to World War II-era local landmarks.

Foundation and service area
Centralia College is supported in part by the Centralia College Foundation, founded in 1982 to help fund initiatives and programs. The college serves a region about 2,409 square miles in Lewis County and southern Thurston County.