Columbia Basin vs Linn-Benton Community: Softball Program Comparison
Two JUCO programs in the NWAC. Columbia Basin lists $5,753 less in out-of-state tuition; Columbia Basin graduates 3 points more of its students.
Which one is right for you?
Neither school is better in the abstract — they are better for different athletes. These are the differences big enough to actually decide on.
Lean Columbia Basin if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Columbia Basin graduates 3 percentage points more of its students than Linn-Benton Community.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Columbia Basin graduates earn about $5,317 more per year a decade after enrolling.
Lean Linn-Benton Community if…
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Linn-Benton Community is $2,868 lower than at Columbia Basin.
What it costs to go there
Published sticker price from IPEDS. Almost nobody pays it — athletic, academic and need-based aid all come off the top — but the gap between two schools is a fair read on the gap between two offers.
| Measure | Columbia Basin | Linn-Benton Community |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $6,194 | $6,288 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $8,239 — Columbia Basin leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $13,992 |
| Room & board | $10,450 | — |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $16,644 | — |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $18,689 | — |
What you leave with
Federal College Scorecard figures for all students at the institution, not softball players specifically. Read them as a signal about the degree, not about the program.
| Measure | Columbia Basin | Linn-Benton Community |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 28% — Columbia Basin leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 25% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $46,680/yr — Columbia Basin leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $41,363/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $14,829 | $11,961 — Linn-Benton Community leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 32% | 29% — Linn-Benton Community leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn |
Getting in, and what you'd walk into
Admissions and size. A coach can support your file, but at most schools they cannot admit you — the academic profile below is the bar you still have to clear.
| Measure | Columbia Basin | Linn-Benton Community |
|---|---|---|
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 6,729 | 4,881 |
| Where it is | Pasco, WA | Albany, OR |
The softball program itself
Division and conference set the ceiling; the postseason record and staff tell you what the program has actually done with it.
| Measure | Columbia Basin | Linn-Benton Community |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Montessa Califano | — |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at JUCO (NJCAA & community colleges), so the scholarship rules are identical: varies by njcaa division. Scholarship availability at junior colleges varies by NJCAA division — some can offer full athletic scholarships, some offer tuition-level aid, and NJCAA Division III offers no athletic aid.
What to do about it this week
Questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules, so you can submit one at any age. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Columbia Basin
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Linn-Benton Community
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Columbia Basin vs Linn-Benton Community: common questions
- Which school graduates more of its students, Columbia Basin or Linn-Benton Community?
- Columbia Basin, at 28% against 25% at Linn-Benton Community (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Columbia Basin and Linn-Benton Community offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at JUCO (NJCAA & community colleges): varies by njcaa division. Scholarship availability at junior colleges varies by NJCAA division — some can offer full athletic scholarships, some offer tuition-level aid, and NJCAA Division III offers no athletic aid.
Cost, graduation and enrollment figures from IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education, 2023-24). Earnings, debt and admission rates from the federal College Scorecard. Postseason results from the NCAA Division I softball tournament records, 2021-2026. Rankings from NCAA.com and U.S. News & World Report. Figures describe the institution, not the softball roster.
We work hard to keep all data for Columbia Basin and Linn-Benton Community accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
Track both programs, log every coach you contact, and see where you actually stand against each one's recruiting profile.
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