Whatcom Community College

Bellingham, Washington

Public Bachelor's Programs
$5,146
In-State Tuition
36.4%
Graduation Rate
$44,092
Median Earnings
2,280
Enrollment

Whatcom Community College is a public institution in Bellingham, Washington with 2,280 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.

In-state tuition is $5,146 compared with a Washington nursing-school average of $12,913. The school reports a graduation rate of 36.4%, median earnings of $44,092, and median federal debt of $10,643.

Tuition vs State
$5,146
-$7,767

$5,146 is lower than the state average of $12,913.

Graduation vs State
36.4%
-8.9%

36.4% is lower than the state average of 45.3%.

Earnings vs State
$44,092
-$3,914

$44,092 is lower than the state average of $48,006.

Tuition rank: Cheapest 50% Graduation rank: Top 61% Value rank: Top 18%

About Whatcom Community College

Location Bellingham, Washington
Institution Type Public
Highest Degree bachelor
Website whatcom.edu
In-State Tuition $5,146
Out-of-State Tuition $11,096
Total Enrollment 2,280
Acceptance Rate N/A
Graduation Rate 36.4%
Retention Rate N/A
Median Earnings (10 yrs after) $44,092
Median Debt at Graduation $10,643
Est. Monthly Loan Payment $112
Pell Grant Recipients 18.6%
Students Receiving Loans 4.8%
Loan Default Rate 0.0%
Nursing Program Available

Cost and Return Snapshot

Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data

4-Year Tuition
$20,584
Median Debt
$10,643
Monthly Payment
$112
Earnings / Debt
4.1x

A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.2 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.

Affordability Context

18.6% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 4.8% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.

Cost and Outcomes Context

The value picture at Whatcom Community College depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $20,584, while the reported median debt is $10,643 with an estimated monthly payment of $112. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.

Quick Links

Student Demographics

The student body is largest among White students (53.5%), followed by Hispanic students (14.9%) and Asian students (6.5%).

White53.5%
Hispanic14.9%
Asian6.5%
Black1.7%

Value Score

4.1x
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio

Median earnings ($44,092) divided by median debt ($10,643)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Whatcom Community College located?
Whatcom Community College is located in Bellingham, Washington.
Does Whatcom Community College offer nursing programs?
Whatcom Community College reports nursing program activity in federal College Scorecard data.
What is in-state tuition at Whatcom Community College?
Published in-state tuition is $5,146. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $20,584 before fees, housing, books, and aid.
What is the graduation rate at Whatcom Community College?
Whatcom Community College reports a graduation rate of 36.4%, placing it around the 40th percentile among nursing peers in Washington.
How much do Whatcom Community College students earn after attending?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $44,092. This figure is schoolwide outcomes data, not a nursing-only salary guarantee.
What is median debt at Whatcom Community College?
Median federal student debt is $10,643, with an estimated 10-year monthly payment of $112.
How large is Whatcom Community College?
Whatcom Community College enrolls about 2,280 undergraduate students.