The main campus was formerly part of the Vancouver Barracks, which extended from Fourth Plain to the Columbia River but were ceded by the U.S. Army to the city to become Central Park.

In 1951, the Applied Arts Center became its first building at the current location (its sixth), when the college first offered evening classes.

[5] In January 2020, the faculty of the college, represented by the Association for Higher Education, engaged in a three-day strike over employee wages.

The 10 acres is adjacent to the Boschma tract and east end of I-5/SR 501 interchange, thereby serving as a gateway to the north Clark County facility.

The Boschma family partnered with the Clark College Foundation to provide 60 acres for the north county location In June 2014.

The college's carillon Chime Tower was designed by Richard Stensrude, begun in 1964, and incorporates materials from the local Hidden Brick Company and the nearby Alcoa plant.

The main campus has generally expanded from the southeast northward and other structures include an equatorial bow-style sun dial near the science buildings.

Additionally, its Transitional Studies program serves adult students seeking to earn their high school diploma or equivalent, learn English as a Second Language, or gain basic skills and job-training programs; courses for transfer to four-year institutions; online courses; and articulations with other colleges that offer students a seamless transfer.

Through its Community and Continuing Education program, the college also offers non-credit classes for professional development, personal enrichment, and customized workplace training.