Big Bend provides classrooms and office space for Heritage College and Central Washington University, making bachelor's and master's degree opportunities available to district residents. The College is a cultural center of the area, hosting Columbia Basin Allied Arts performances, the Community Concert series, and the annual spring musical. More than 50,000 people have attended spring musical performances over the years. Big Bend has provided educational services to hundreds of local at-risk and disadvantaged high school students through the College Bound Program during the last 28 years. Big Bend students earn degrees in 21 technical areas and 27 college-university transfer areas.
Students completing transfer programs can transfer to state universities without loss of credit.
The College, with the Port of Moses Lake, operates one of the most advanced and well-equipped aircraft rescue and firefighting school in the Northwest region at the Grant County International Airport. Approximately 180 high school juniors and seniors attend Big Bend under the state's Running Start Program , allowing them to earn college and high school credits at the same time. Big Bend employees are active in the community, serving on the City Council, City Civil Service Commission, Park and Recreation Advisory Commission, Literacy Council, economic development organizations, the Sister City Committee, service clubs, United Way, Heart Foundation, etc. The College has the largest and most successful flight training program in the state. The Commercial Pilot Program has a fleet of 25 aircraft and a 30-year history of aviation excellence.