Coast Mountain College

Founded 1975 | Terrace, BC

Tucked away in the coastal mountains of British Columbia near the Great Bear Rainforest, Coast Mountain College offers innovative programs and experiential, place-based education. Formerly known as Northwest Community College, the school has campuses in Hazelton, Haida Gwaii, Prince Rupert, Smithers and Terrace. A range of certificates, diplomas, associate degrees, trades, apprenticeships and upgrading programs are offered. Coast Mountain emphasizes Indigenous programming, and the college’s student body is made up of 47 per cent self-identified Indigenous students. The First Nations fine arts program focuses on the northern style of West Coast First Nations art and is the only one of its kind in Canada. 

Intensive summer field schools condense a full semester into a few weeks. In one, students are paired with RCMP members to investigate a crime using forensic studies. In another, students examine the geography of northern B.C. and Alaska during a two-week trip to mines and glaciers. 

In 2021, a new student housing complex opened at the Terrace campus, adding 108 residence beds. The complex has suites for visiting family members, an Elder’s suite, laundry facilities, shared kitchens, an e-sports room and bike storage. The first phase of the library’s $4-million renovation is also complete and includes new space and an Indigenous reading circle. The second phase is slated for completion in 2023.

Popular Programs

• Trades Programs

• Post-Degree Diploma Business

• Applied Coastal Ecology

• University Transfer Associate Degree

School Size

Small

Tuition

• Degree $3,700-$3,900

• Diploma $3,700-$4,400

• Certificate $3,700-$3,900

• Post-Grad $3,300-$4,200

Residence Offerings

Yes

Cool Options

• Applied Coastal Ecology: Blending biology, geography and oceanography, this program teaches students to examine how coastal ecosystems react to the stresses imposed by humans.

• Criminology: Students take part in mock trials in this look at the justice system.

• First Nations Fine Art: Named after the Haida artist, the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art offers courses about the art of the First Nations of the Pacific, on B.C.’s northwestern coast.