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 and 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 college’s forest management program has been offered for nearly 60 years and focuses on learning in the field.

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. 

School size:
Mid-sized

Tuition:
Degree $4,400-$7,200
Diploma $3,500-$10,000
Certificate $3,600-$5,300
Post-Grad $15,300-$18,500

Residence offerings:
Yes

Popular programs

Associate of Arts Degree
Health Care Assistant Certificate
Adult Basic Education
Associate of Science Degree 
Pharmacy Technician Diploma

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.