Bates Technical College vs. Whatcom Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bates Technical College in Tacoma, WA with Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bates Technical College is larger than Whatcom Community College based on total student enrollment (4,083 students vs. 3,674 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bates Technical College is located in Tacoma, WA (Midsize City setting); Whatcom Community College is in Bellingham, WA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Bates Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Whatcom Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bates Technical College 21:1; Whatcom Community College 11:1.

Bates Technical College vs. Whatcom Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bates Technical College or Whatcom Community College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bates Technical College than Whatcom Community College ($7,963 vs. $13,116).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bates Technical College are 3.7% lower than at Whatcom Community College ($17,310 vs. $17,982).
• Bates Technical College is 17.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whatcom Community College (about $912 more per year; $6,027.00 vs. $5,115.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.2% higher at Bates Technical College than at Whatcom Community College (about $1,128 more per year; $12,165.00 vs. $11,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whatcom Community College than at Bates Technical College (52% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bates Technical College students is 71% larger than aid received by Whatcom Community College students ($10,479 vs. $6,129).

Bates Technical College vs. Whatcom Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bates Technical College or Whatcom Community College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Whatcom Community College and Bates Technical College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bates Technical College - Open admission; Whatcom Community College - Open admission.

Bates Technical College vs. Whatcom Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bates Technical College and Whatcom Community College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Bates Technical College earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than Whatcom Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bates Technical College graduates have a $3,605 lower median loan debt than Whatcom Community College graduates ($5,895 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Bates Technical College graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whatcom Community College graduates ($60 vs. $98).
• More Bates Technical College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whatcom Community College students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 39%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.