Salt Lake Community College vs. Western Washington University

Comparable Facts

Compare Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, UT with Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Salt Lake Community College is larger than Western Washington University based on total student enrollment (27,437 students vs. 14,710 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salt Lake Community College is located in Salt Lake City, UT (Large Suburban setting); Western Washington University is in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting).
• Salt Lake Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Western Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salt Lake Community College 16:1; Western Washington University 18:1.

Salt Lake Community College vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salt Lake Community College or Western Washington University? 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 Salt Lake Community College than Western Washington University ($8,425 vs. $24,338).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Washington University are 5% lower than at Salt Lake Community College ($15,747 vs. $16,578).
• Western Washington University is 116.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salt Lake Community College (about $5,156 more per year; $9,582.00 vs. $4,426.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 101.5% higher at Western Washington University than at Salt Lake Community College (about $14,463 more per year; $28,707.00 vs. $14,244.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Washington University than at Salt Lake Community College (93% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Washington University students is 3.9% larger than aid received by Salt Lake Community College students ($6,902 vs. $6,640).

Salt Lake Community College vs. Western Washington University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salt Lake Community College or Western Washington University? 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 Western Washington University and Salt Lake Community College.

• Salt Lake Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Washington University 1150/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Washington University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salt Lake Community College - Open admission; Western Washington University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.

Salt Lake Community College vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salt Lake Community College and Western Washington University? 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 Western Washington University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Salt Lake Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salt Lake Community College graduates have a $11,413 lower median loan debt than Western Washington University graduates ($8,000 vs. $19,413).
• Among borrowers, Salt Lake Community College graduates have an estimated $118 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Washington University graduates ($82 vs. $200).
• More Western Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salt Lake Community College students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 55%)

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.