Renton Technical College vs. Whatcom Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Whatcom Community College is larger than Renton Technical College based on total student enrollment (3,674 students vs. 2,824 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Renton Technical College is located in Renton, WA (Small City setting); Whatcom Community College is in Bellingham, WA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Renton 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: Renton Technical College 19:1; Whatcom Community College 11:1.

Renton Technical College vs. Whatcom Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Renton 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 Renton Technical College than Whatcom Community College ($9,656 vs. $13,116).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Renton Technical College are 3.7% lower than at Whatcom Community College ($17,310 vs. $17,982).
• Renton Technical College is 23.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whatcom Community College (about $1,193 more per year; $6,308.00 vs. $5,115.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.8% higher at Whatcom Community College than at Renton Technical College (about $3,668 more per year; $11,037.00 vs. $7,369.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Renton Technical College than at Whatcom Community College (69% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Renton Technical College students is 23.3% larger than aid received by Whatcom Community College students ($7,560 vs. $6,129).

Renton Technical College vs. Whatcom Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Renton 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 Renton Technical College.

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

Renton Technical College vs. Whatcom Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Renton 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 Renton Technical College earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Whatcom Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,500 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Renton Technical College graduates have a $920 lower median loan debt than Whatcom Community College graduates ($8,580 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Renton Technical College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whatcom Community College graduates ($88 vs. $98).
• More Renton Technical College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whatcom Community College students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.