Columbia College

What Columbia College does

Columbia College is an independent, not-for-profit college and registered charity located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, operating continuously since its founding in 1936. It delivers first and second-year university-level courses, two-year Associate Degrees in Arts and Science concentrations, and BC-certified High School programs (Grades 10-12 including accelerated streams). Its primary customer base is international students from more than 60 countries seeking an affordable pathway to bachelor's degree programs at Canadian universities, alongside a secondary base of domestic students. The college's principal value proposition is built on membership in the BC Transfer System (BCCAT), which provides pre-approved credit transfer to UBC, Simon Fraser University, University of Victoria, and other BC universities, enabling students to save up to C$20,000 annually versus direct university enrollment.

The college's technology backbone is MySIS, a proprietary integrated student portal combining student registration and academic services with the Moodle learning management system, hosted on a Finalsite website platform. Supporting infrastructure includes Microsoft Office 365 for email and SharePoint, EBSCO library databases, and the WebWorks platform for MATH courses. Two physical campuses anchor operations: the Main Campus at 438 Terminal Avenue (a five-storey building housing science laboratories, library, and student services), and the North Campus at 333 Terminal Avenue (opened September 2017 for English for Academic Purposes and High School programs). Specialized pathway programs include a Digital Forensics & Cybersecurity pathway with BCIT and a Bioinformatics pathway with Langara College.

Columbia College's revenue model is tuition-driven with recurring semester billing. Domestic students pay $285 per credit ($8,550 for a 30-credit year), while international students pay $610 per credit ($18,300 annually, rising to $640 in September 2026). Non-refundable application fees ($50 domestic, $200 international) and substantial upfront tuition deposits ($7,355 local, $14,900 international) generate working capital and reduce enrollment uncertainty. Revenue is not publicly disclosed in line with the institution's non-profit society status under the Societies Act of British Columbia and registered charity status with the Canada Revenue Agency. The institution distributes scholarships through its Scholar Path Program (up to $30,000 international, $10,000 domestic) and reinvests surpluses in programming. International student recruitment operates through a direct-to-consumer model supplemented by regional representatives in Africa, Vietnam, and Indonesia and a global educational agent network.

Name

Columbia College

Legal name

Columbia College

Website

https://columbiacollege.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Columbia College is an independent, not-for-profit Vancouver college serving international and domestic students through University Transfer, Associate Degree, and High School programs, offering BC Transfer System pathways to UBC, SFU, and UVic.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Junior Colleges (6112), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Transfer/University-Parallel Community Colleges (EDAHADAF), Junior Colleges (Associate-Degree Granting) (EDAHADAC)

Keywords

• Higher education
• University transfer
• Associate degrees
• High school completion
• Pathway programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Primary revenue stream from tuition fees charged per credit. Domestic students pay $285 per credit; international students pay $610 per credit (rising to $640 in September 2026). University Transfer and Associate Degree programs cost $17,100 domestic and $36,600 international for 60 credits.
2. Application Fees: Non-refundable application fees: $200 CAD for international applicants, $50 CAD for domestic applicants.
3. Tuition Deposits: International tuition deposit ($14,900 covering 24 credits, activity fee, and medical insurance) and local tuition deposit ($7,355 for 12 credits and one semester's activity fee).
4. Scholarship Disbursements: As a registered charity, the college disburses scholarships including the Scholar Path Program (up to $30,000 for international students, $10,000 for domestic), demonstrating charitable mission reinvestment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Columbia College is a private, not-for-profit post-secondary institution based in Vancouver, Canada. It offers university transfer programs (Arts and Science), two-year associate degrees, English language preparation, and high school completion programs for domestic and international students seeking pathways into Canadian universities.

Product overview

Columbia College is an independent, not-for-profit college in Vancouver offering three main academic programs: University Transfer (24–60 credits enabling direct entry into second/third year at Canadian universities), Associate Degrees (two-year credentials in Arts and Science disciplines serving as both qualifications and university pathways), and High School Programs (BC Dogwood Diploma for Grades 10–12 including accelerated options). The institution provides specialized pathway programs including BCIT Digital Forensics & Cybersecurity and Langara College Bioinformatics. Supporting services include the MySIS student portal with integrated Moodle LMS, the Learning Centre offering free tutoring and workshops, the Columbia College Library with extensive electronic resources, and student accommodations through Homestay and housing partnerships. Financial support is available through the ScholarPath Scholarship (up to $30,000 for international students transferring to universities). The college operates from Main Campus (438 Terminal Ave) and North Campus (333 Terminal Ave) in downtown Vancouver.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• University Transfer Program — Arts A first- and second-year Arts curriculum designed to transfer to partner universities in British Columbia through the BC Transfer System.
• University Transfer Program — Science A first- and second-year Science curriculum designed to transfer to partner universities in British Columbia through the BC Transfer System.
• Associate of Arts Degree A two-year Arts credential that can be used standalone or as a transfer pathway to BC universities.
• Associate of Science Degree A two-year Science credential that can be used standalone or as a transfer pathway to BC universities.
• High School Completion Program (BC Adult Graduation Diploma) A program enabling adult learners to complete the requirements for the BC Adult Graduation Diploma.
• English Language Preparation (EAP) English for Academic Purposes program preparing students for entry into academic coursework.

Quantifiable outcome

• Save up to C$20,000 annually compared to direct university tuition through University Transfer program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Quest University CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2025Merger announcement to form BC's newest university. New university to expand access to innovative programs addressing BC's evolving workforce needs.
• British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2025Partnership for BCIT Pathway: Digital Forensics & Cybersecurity program. Columbia College students can enter the growing digital forensics and cybersecurity fields through this pathway program to BCIT.
• GEC LivingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 August 2024Partnership to provide off-campus housing options for Columbia College students. GEC offers shared accommodation spaces exclusively available to Columbia College students near campus.
• Places4StudentsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing partnership providing students with off-campus rental listings. Partners with GEC and Places4Students to offer a range of housing options near the college campuses.
• City Care DentalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDental Bus service partnership providing free dental care to select students each summer. Dental Bus parks on campus offering complimentary dental services.
• BC Council on Admissions and Transfer (BCCAT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColumbia College is a recognized member of the BC Transfer System managed by BCCAT. Courses are pre-approved for transfer to UBC, SFU, UVic and other BC universities.
• Langara CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLangara College Pathway: Bioinformatics program offering Columbia College students pathway to bioinformatics studies at Langara College.
• World University Services of Canada (WUSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent Refugee Program partnership through WUSC. Columbia College participates in Ride for Refuge challenge to raise funds and awareness for WUSC Student Refugee Program.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Alexander College: Alexander College is a Vancouver-based, privately-owned institution offering university transfer programs and associate degrees to primarily international students, making it the closest direct peer to Columbia College in the BC junior college space.
• Langara College: Langara College is a Vancouver-based public college offering university transfer courses, associate degrees, and bachelor's degrees. It is a BC Transfer System member and a direct competitor for both transfer-pathway students and international applicants.
• Douglas College: Douglas College is a public post-secondary institution in Metro Vancouver offering associate degrees, university transfer programs, and bachelor's degrees. It is a BC Transfer System member and competes directly for the same transfer-pathway and international student base as Columbia.
• Fraser International College (FIC): FIC is a private Navitas-operated pathway college in Burnaby, BC that provides university transfer foundation and first-year programs primarily to international students seeking admission to SFU. Direct competitor for international pathway students in the same metro area.
• Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU): KPU is a public polytechnic university in Metro Vancouver offering undergraduate degrees, associate degrees, and university transfer pathways. It competes with Columbia for BC domestic transfer students and operates within the BC Transfer System.
• Capilano University: Capilano University is a North Vancouver public post-secondary institution offering undergraduate degrees, associate degrees, and university transfer programs. It is a BC Transfer System member serving a similar student demographic.
• Quest University Canada: Quest University is a small private liberal arts university in Squamish, BC that is the announced merger counterparty with Columbia College (March 2025). While model-different (liberal arts residential), the merger makes it a directly relevant operating peer post-transaction.

Regional players

• NorQuest College: NorQuest College is an Edmonton-based public community college offering diploma and certificate programs, including pathway programs for international students. Comparable as a Canadian junior/transfer college, but operates in a different geography.

Broad incumbents

• Seneca Polytechnic: Seneca is one of Canada's largest public colleges, offering diploma, degree, and graduate certificate programs with significant international student enrollment. Comparable as a broader-scale Canadian post-secondary operator but at much larger scale and with a different geographic footprint.
• Humber College: Humber is a large public college in the Greater Toronto Area offering diplomas, degrees, and postgraduate certificates with substantial international student recruitment. Comparable as a broader Canadian college competitor for international applicants but at much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights3 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ColumbiaCollegeBC
• Facebookfacebook.com/columbiacollege1936
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/columbia-college-vancouver-bc-
• Instagraminstagram.com/columbiacollege1936
• TikToktiktok.com/@columbiacollege1936

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Columbia College