Selkirk College
Outdoor enthusiasts love the setting of Selkirk College. The West Kootenay–Boundary region has mountain trails, rock climbing and water activities such as kayaking, fishing and paddle boarding. The Red Mountain and Whitewater ski hills are close to Selkirk College’s campuses in Castlegar and Nelson, respectively. A stunning mountain bike trail system runs through all of the college’s communities. The college’s main campus is in Castlegar, with three more in Nelson, one in Trail, one in Grand Forks, plus two learning centres in Kaslo and Nakusp. Selkirk offers more than 60 associate degree, diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in areas that range from ceramics and forest technology to engineering and nursing. The school also incubates talented musicians in its contemporary music and technology program. The Tenth Street campus in Nelson offers dorm-style residences, while single-room, suite style accommodations are available at Castlegar, where 114 more units became available this spring.
The trades-based Silver King campus in Nelson recently underwent a $22-million refresh, featuring 36 new residence beds, modern shop spaces, a new student commons building and a hair salon where students can get real-world experience. Selkirk received more than $1 million from the B.C. government to create a child care centre at Silver King, which opened in 2021.
Quick facts
School size:
Mid-sized
Tuition:
Degree $4,700-$6,900
Diploma $3,400-$6,700
Certificate $3,400-$6,400
Post-Grad $14,700-$18,400
Residence offerings:
Yes
Popular programs
School of the Arts
Business Management and Accounting
Health Care Assistant
Hospitality and Culinary Management
Cool options
Contemporary Music and Technology: With a focus on performance, production, composition and songwriting, the program partners with the world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
Applied Environmental Science and Planning Technology: Students gain hands-on learning in wildfire mitigation, ecology and environmental stewardship while situated in the mountainous West Kootenay region.
Ski Resort Operations and Management: Students in this program get an in-depth look at the business and logistics of the ski industry on the Nelson hilltops of British Columbia.
