Founded in 1966 in Huntington Beach, California, Golden West College is a two-year, medium-size community college. As of 2011, its student body totaled just over 14,000 on a 122-acre campus. Golden West College offers Associate's of Arts degrees, along with a strong university transfer program, career/technical education, general education, community services and student support services. Forty-two majors are available at Golden West College, with 23 certificates of achievement and 8 certificates of specialization.
Located in Santa Monica, California, Santa Monica College is a two-year community college that opened in 1929 and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Begun with just 153 students, Santa Monica College now enrolls approximately 30,000 students. Set on 38 acres, Santa Monica College offers more than 80 fields of study. Ten percent of the school's students come from more than 100 different countries, making Santa Monica's one of the largest international student populations of any community college in the nation.
Known for its professional technical programs, Spokane Community College offers specialties in health sciences, information technology, industrial, manufacturing and automotive technology, hospitality and culinary arts, building trades, agriculture and natural resource management. Located in Spokane, Washington, Spokane Community College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and a number of individual programs are accredited by additional professional accrediting associations. During the 2009--2010 school year, the college had a total of 13,647 students.
Located in Coos Bay, Oregon, Southwestern Oregon Community College has grown from 815 students in 1961 to approximately 10,000 students in 2011. Instructional programs at the college include two-year transfer programs, one- and two-year technical programs, short-term occupational programs, adult education, a high school diploma program, and enrichment courses.