Portland Community College

What Portland Community College does

Portland Community College is a public, state-funded community college founded in 1961 (operational since 1968) and serving as the largest college in Oregon. It delivers associate degrees, certificates, university-transfer pathways, and short-term workforce credentials across six academic schools to a primarily individual-student customer base across the Portland metropolitan area and, increasingly, online. The institution operates four main campuses (Cascade, Rock Creek, Southeast, Sylvania) and seven additional centers, connected by a free inter-campus shuttle system with real-time mobile tracking, and offers six defined transfer pathways to PSU, OSU, OIT, and Linfield College through dual-enrollment agreements.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid of state appropriations, resident tuition ($143/credit), non-resident tuition ($298/credit), student fees, and grant funding. Over 70% of students receive financial aid and $2M in scholarships are awarded annually; 2,800 students benefit from Oregon Promise grants at PCC. The college has positioned itself as a low-cost on-ramp to bachelor's degrees (50% less than Oregon public universities, 86% less than private) and as a direct workforce pipeline, with 95% nursing licensure pass rates, 1,000 hours of bioscience lab training, and 29 short-term awards in construction, manufacturing, and transportation.

PCC's technology footprint includes the MyPCC student portal, a real-time shuttle tracking system with iOS/Android apps, and the newly unveiled Technology Innovation Spaces at Willow Creek (cleanroom for semiconductor training and AI lab). The college is a member of the FAST semiconductor partnership led by Oregon State University, secured $8.5M in CHIPS Act-aligned state grants in April 2026, and offers specialized programs such as the College Access Latinx Initiative (CALI). Following a multi-month faculty strike, a tentative labor agreement was reached in March 2026 covering wages and back pay.

Name

Portland Community College

Legal name

Portland Community College

Website

https://pcc.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Portland Community College is Oregon's largest public community college, delivering associate degrees, certificates, and university-transfer pathways to individual students across four Portland-area campuses, seven centers, and online, funded by state appropriations, tuition, and workforce grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community College Education

NAICS

Junior Colleges (611210), Junior Colleges (61121), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Community Colleges (EDAHADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE), Junior Colleges (Associate-Degree Granting) (EDAHADAC), Technical Community Colleges (Applied/CTE-Focused) (EDAHADAD)

Keywords

• Community college education
• Associate degree programs
• University transfer pathways
• Workforce development training
• Adult basic education

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from student tuition and fees. Resident tuition at $143 per credit, non-resident at $298 per credit. Additional fees include student activity fee ($4.25/credit), instructional technology fee ($7.35/credit), lab fees (up to $45/course), and college service fee ($15/term).
2. State Grants and Funding: PCC receives state funding through Oregon's Semiconductor Talent Sustaining Fund as part of the FAST partnership. The fund was established by Oregon Legislature in 2024 with $10 million from Oregon CHIPS Act dollars to build semiconductor workforce pathways.
3. Financial Aid Administration: PCC administers federal and state financial aid programs including grants, work study, and loans. The college processes Pell Grants, federal loans, Oregon Promise grants, and institutional scholarships totaling $2M annually.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Portland Community College delivers affordable post-secondary education through associate degrees, certificates, and career pathways across six academic schools, including Arts/Humanities, Business, Construction/Manufacturing, Healthcare/Emergency, Public Service, and STEM. The college provides university transfer programs (47 pathways with 5,600 annual transfers), online learning options, workforce development training including a specialized semiconductor cleanroom and AI lab, and adult basic education including GED preparation and ESOL classes.

Product overview

Portland Community College (PCC) is a community college offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and services including academic degree and certificate programs across six major schools, online learning options, university transfer pathways to four-year institutions, and specialized facilities like Technology Innovation Spaces with cleanroom and AI labs for semiconductor workforce training. The college also provides student support services including financial aid management through the MyPCC portal, free campus shuttle transportation with real-time tracking capabilities, and targeted student success programs such as the College Access Latinx Initiative (CALI). PCC serves the Portland metropolitan area through multiple campuses and centers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Academic Degree and Certificate Programs Comprehensive array of associate degrees, certificates, and career pathways across six academic schools including Arts/Humanities/Communication/Design, Business/Entrepreneurship, Construction/Manufacturing/Transportation, Healthcare/Emergency Professions, Public Service/Education/Social Sciences, and Science/Technology/Engineering/Math. Designed for prospective college students and adult learners seeking affordable credentials.
• Online Learning Remote and hybrid education options allowing students to take courses online. Designed for students who prefer or require remote learning flexibility.
• University Transfer Program Transfer pathway programs enabling students to complete lower-division coursework at PCC then transfer to four-year institutions including Portland State University, Oregon State University, Oregon Institute of Technology, and Linfield College. Over 5,600 students transfer credits annually.
• Technology Innovation Spaces (Semiconductor Cleanroom and AI Lab) Advanced learning facilities at the Willow Creek campus in Hillsboro providing hands-on training in semiconductor manufacturing skills using simulated cleanroom equipment and AI lab education for technology workforce development.
• Financial Aid Services Financial aid administration services including grants, loans, work study, scholarships, and payment plans to help students fund their education. Over 70% of students receive financial aid, with 2,800 benefiting from Oregon Promise.
• PCC Shuttle Service Free shuttle bus service connecting PCC campuses (Orange, Yellow, Blue, Green lines) with real-time location tracking available through mobile apps and online platforms for students and staff.
• MyPCC Student Portal Online student portal for course registration, financial aid management, tuition payment, grade viewing, and accessing college services.
• Adult Basic Education and GED Preparation GED preparation, adult basic education, and ESOL classes for adults returning to education, immigrants, and international students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of PCC nursing graduates pass their licensure exam each year
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Frontiers of Advanced Semiconductor Technology (FAST) PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 April 2026PCC is a member of the FAST partnership led by Oregon State University, receiving $8.5 million in grants from Oregon's Semiconductor Talent Sustaining Fund (established with $10 million from Oregon CHIPS Act dollars in 2024) to build semiconductor workforce pathways. PCC's cleanroom facility in Hillsboro provides students with training in semiconductor manufacturing skills and cleanroom protocols.
• PCCFCE Union (Faculty Federation of Portland Community College)coreOthers · 30 March 2026Faculty union representing PCC educators. Strike ended after nearly a year of negotiations resulting in tentative agreement over wages and benefits including 2% increase in first year, 3% in second year, and back payments for lost wages.
• Oregon Community College Association and Industry PartnersminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 September 2025Elected officials, community partners and college representatives gathered for the unveiling of Technology Innovation Spaces at Willow Creek campus including teaching cleanroom and AI lab.
• Portland State University (PSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual enrollment partnership allowing students to be co-admitted as PCC and PSU students, taking courses at both institutions with combined financial aid eligibility through consortium agreements.
• Oregon State University (OSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual enrollment partnership allowing students to be co-admitted as PCC and OSU students for seamless transfer to complete bachelor's degrees.
• Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual enrollment partnership for co-admission allowing students to take courses at both PCC and OIT as part of transfer pathway programs.
• Linfield CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual enrollment partnership for co-admission providing transfer pathway for students completing associate degrees at PCC to continue at Linfield College.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mt. Hood Community College: Public community college in Gresham, Oregon serving the east Portland metro area with similar associate degree, transfer, and workforce programs. Direct competitor for the same student population.
• Clackamas Community College: Public community college in Oregon City serving Portland's southern suburbs with comparable transfer pathways, workforce training, and dual enrollment options.
• Clark College: Public community college in Vancouver, Washington directly across from Portland, serving overlapping metro-area students with similar transfer and career-technical programs.
• Chemeketa Community College: Oregon community college in Salem offering comparable associate degrees, university transfer, and workforce development programs under the same state funding framework.
• Lane Community College: Oregon public community college in Eugene offering similar two-year degrees, transfer pathways, and technical training programs across multiple campuses.

Broad incumbents

• Portland State University: Oregon's largest urban public university and PCC's primary transfer partner, competing for the same Portland metro students while offering full bachelor's and graduate programs.
• Maricopa County Community College District: The largest community college system in the US, operating 10 colleges across the Phoenix metro. Comparable in scale and program breadth as a multi-campus public community college operator.

Regional players

• Green River College: Public community college in Auburn, Washington serving the Puget Sound region with comparable transfer and workforce programs, particularly strong in international student enrollment.
• Central Oregon Community College: Oregon public community college based in Bend serving central Oregon with similar associate degree, transfer, and workforce programs under the same state funding model.

Others

• Southern Maine Community College: Public community college offering associate degrees and workforce training including technical programs; comparable in mission and product mix though serving a different geographic market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/portlandcc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/PCCvideos
• Facebookfacebook.com/portlandcc
• Instagraminstagram.com/portlandcommcollege

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Portland Community College