LCC vs. Skagit Valley College

Comparable Facts

Compare Lower Columbia College in Longview, WA with Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Skagit Valley College is larger than LCC based on total student enrollment (4,028 students vs. 2,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lower Columbia College is located in Longview, WA (Small City setting); Skagit Valley College is in Mount Vernon, WA (Small City setting).
• Lower Columbia College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Skagit Valley College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lower Columbia College 15:1; Skagit Valley College 16:1.

LCC vs. Skagit Valley College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LCC or Skagit Valley 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 Skagit Valley College than LCC ($8,264 vs. $9,950).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lower Columbia College are 0.5% lower than at Skagit Valley College ($17,310 vs. $17,400).
• Skagit Valley College is 16.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than LCC (about $774 more per year; $5,400.00 vs. $4,626.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.9% higher at Skagit Valley College than at Lower Columbia College (about $1,497 more per year; $7,500.00 vs. $6,003.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lower Columbia College than at Skagit Valley College (76% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Skagit Valley College students is 1% larger than aid received by Lower Columbia College students ($6,632 vs. $6,564).

LCC vs. Skagit Valley College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LCC or Skagit Valley 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 Skagit Valley College and LCC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LCC - Open admission; Skagit Valley College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Skagit Valley College Sep 7, 2026.

LCC vs. Skagit Valley College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LCC and Skagit Valley 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 Skagit Valley College earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than LCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,300 vs. $34,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Skagit Valley College graduates have a $2,284 lower median loan debt than LCC graduates ($10,500 vs. $12,784).
• Among borrowers, Skagit Valley College graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LCC graduates ($108 vs. $132).
• More Skagit Valley College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LCC students, three years after graduation. (41% 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.