Okanagan College

Serving the beautiful Okanagan, Shuswap and Similkameen valleys, Okanagan College boasts campuses in Salmon Arm, Vernon, Penticton and Kelowna. Its mission is to transform lives and communities, and the school aims to inspire and empower individuals and communities to strengthen and sustain the social, economic, environmental and cultural resiliency of the region for current and future generations. It delivers more than 150 programs to more than 17,000 students. Approximately five per cent of students are Indigenous and around 13 per cent are from outside Canada.

The college offers various university transfer, health, engineering technology, trade, vocational, adult basic education and continuing studies programs. It also provides two bachelor’s degrees—business administration and computer information systems—along with four post-baccalaureate diplomas. In 2021, OC welcomed students into its new applied bachelor of arts degree in community research and evaluation, as well as a new common first-year engineering program. 

Okanagan recently opened an $18-million Health Sciences Centre at its Kelowna campus. The Penticton campus is home to a growing suite of viticulture and wine studies, and many graduates go on to work in the region’s wine industry.

Okanagan broke ground in 2024 on a new Recreation and Wellness Centre, opening next year, and a new Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism, set to be complete in 2027.

The Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vernon campuses offer housing. 

Quick facts

School size:
Large

Tuition:

Degree $4,700-$5,100
Diploma $4,700-$14,200
Certificate $4,000-$15,100
Post-Grad $4,900-$6,100

Residence offerings:
Yes

Popular programs

Associate Degree in Arts 
Business Administration and Tourism Management Diploma
Bachelor of Business Administration
Associate Degree in Science
Health Care Assistant Certificate

Cool options

Early Childhood Education: In this four-semester hybrid certificate program, students prepare to work with young children through classroom theoretical learning and experiential, hands on learning.
Culinary and Pastry Arts: With a focus on a farm-to-table approach and exploring fresh local products, students learn from Red Seal–certified chef instructors in commercial kitchen spaces. 
Sustainable Building Technology: This diploma program offers five specialized education streams within the field of sustainability and the built environment.