College Place at a glance
- Population: about 9,762 residents, ranking 93rd of 281 Census places in Washington (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 9,906 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a decline of roughly 1.5% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 93rd by size among 281 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 67% of Washington places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 46.0418, -118.3924 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Walla Walla, WA (3 mi); Pendleton, OR (33 mi); Pasco, WA (38 mi); Kennewick, WA (39 mi); Hermiston, OR (45 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Nearest smaller towns: Milton-Freewater, OR (7 mi); Weston, OR (16 mi); Athena, OR (16 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in College Place
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
The advertised interest rate leaves out fees that the APR captures, which is why APR is the number to weigh; try the personal loan calculator before you apply.
The term is the lever: extend it and the payment falls while total interest climbs; shorten it and the reverse happens.
Before you borrow, decide what the loan is for and whether the monthly payment fits a budget you can already meet without taking on new debt.
Washington lending rules that apply in College Place
The table lists the Washington rules that apply to a loan made in College Place, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 12% per annum, or four points above the Federal Reserve bill rate, whichever is higher (RCW 19.52.020) Source says: any rate of interest shall be legal so long as the rate of interest does not exceed the higher of: (a) Twelve percent per annum | Washington State Legislature (RCW) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Licensed; small loans capped at $700 or 30% of monthly income, max 45 days, fees 15% on first $500 and 10% above (RCW 31.45) Source says: Payday lenders must be licensed by DFI — including online lenders that do business with Washington residents. | Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer Loan Company license required (Consumer Loan Act, RCW 31.04.035) Source says: No person may engage in any activity subject to this chapter without first obtaining and maintaining a license in accordance with this chapter. | Washington State Legislature (RCW) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) Source says: DFI licenses and regulates financial institutions and service providers in Washington. | Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in College Place
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in College Place:
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run your figures through the personal loan calculator on this site so you know the payment before a lender quotes one.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check that the lender is licensed in Washington using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.