GRCC vs. Whatcom Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Green River College is larger than Whatcom Community College based on total student enrollment (7,967 students vs. 3,674 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

GRCC vs. Whatcom Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GRCC 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 GRCC ($13,116 vs. $14,405).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Green River College are 3.7% lower than at Whatcom Community College ($17,310 vs. $17,982).
• Whatcom Community College is 8.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than GRCC (about $404 more per year; $5,115.00 vs. $4,711.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.7% higher at Whatcom Community College than at Green River College (about $5,774 more per year; $11,037.00 vs. $5,263.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Green River College as at Whatcom Community College (52% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Green River College students is 17.4% larger than aid received by Whatcom Community College students ($7,198 vs. $6,129).

GRCC vs. Whatcom Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GRCC 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 GRCC.

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

GRCC vs. Whatcom Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GRCC 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 Green River College earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Whatcom Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,500 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Whatcom Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GRCC students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 38%)

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.