Okanagan College

ABOUT UNIVERSITY

Okanagan College is a public post-secondary institution located in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada, with main campuses in Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon, and Salmon Arm. Established in 1963, it has grown to become one of the largest colleges in the province outside the Lower Mainland and Victoria, enrolling approximately 5,000 full-time students per semester. In the 2022–23 academic year, the college welcomed 1,885 international students from over 40 countries, accounting for 11% of its total student population. Okanagan College has also served a significant number of Indigenous students, although recent growth has plateaued. The college offers a wide range of programs, including university arts and science, business, trades, health, and technologies, as well as adult basic education and continuing studies. Notable programs include ESL and language training, four-year degrees in Business and Computer Information Systems, and a university transfer program that enables students to begin their studies at the college and complete them at universities across Canada. Known for its practical, hands-on approach to learning, Okanagan College is home to innovative offerings like the Sustainable Construction Management Technology program at its Penticton campus, which focuses on green building techniques and technologies. With a history of supporting student exchanges, customized training, and study tours, the college continues to play a key role in regional education and workforce development.