Clark College vs. Whatcom Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Clark College is larger than Whatcom Community College based on total student enrollment (7,463 students vs. 3,674 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clark College is located in Vancouver, WA (Midsize City setting); Whatcom Community College is in Bellingham, WA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Clark College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Whatcom Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clark College 12:1; Whatcom Community College 11:1.

Clark College vs. Whatcom Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clark 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 Whatcom Community College than Clark College ($13,116 vs. $13,528).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark College are 3.7% lower than at Whatcom Community College ($17,310 vs. $17,982).
• Clark College is 2.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whatcom Community College (about $118 more per year; $5,233.00 vs. $5,115.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Clark College than at Whatcom Community College (about $146 more per year; $11,183.00 vs. $11,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clark College than at Whatcom Community College (68% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clark College students is 8.2% larger than aid received by Whatcom Community College students ($6,632 vs. $6,129).

Clark College vs. Whatcom Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clark 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 Clark College.

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

Clark College vs. Whatcom Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clark 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 Clark College earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Whatcom Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,700 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whatcom Community College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Clark College graduates ($9,500 vs. $12,500).
• Among borrowers, Whatcom Community College graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clark College graduates ($98 vs. $129).
• More Whatcom Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clark College students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 32%)

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.