Columbia Basin College (also known as CBC) is a college based in Pasco, Washington accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The College offers English as a second language and General Educational Development (GED) prep classes, the Running Start program, plus many associate's degrees (transfer, associate of applied science, associate of arts) and Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degrees. Columbia Basin College has served Benton and Franklin counties for nearly 60 years. The first classes at CBC were authorized by the State Board of Education in May 1955. Classes began in September, 1955 in temporary quarters at the former Pasco Naval Airbase.