NSCC vs. Whatcom Community College

Comparable Facts

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

North Seattle College is larger than Whatcom Community College based on total student enrollment (5,569 students vs. 3,674 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Seattle College is located in Seattle, WA (Large City setting); Whatcom Community College is in Bellingham, WA (Rural Fringe setting).
• North Seattle College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Whatcom Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Seattle College 18:1; Whatcom Community College 11:1.

NSCC vs. Whatcom Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSCC 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 North Seattle College than Whatcom Community College ($12,462 vs. $13,116).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whatcom Community College are 5.6% lower than at North Seattle College ($17,982 vs. $19,041).
• North Seattle College is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whatcom Community College (about $123 more per year; $5,238.00 vs. $5,115.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.4% higher at Whatcom Community College than at North Seattle College (about $5,241 more per year; $11,037.00 vs. $5,796.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whatcom Community College than at North Seattle College (52% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Seattle College students is 12.8% larger than aid received by Whatcom Community College students ($6,915 vs. $6,129).

NSCC vs. Whatcom Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSCC 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 NSCC.

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

NSCC vs. Whatcom Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSCC 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 North Seattle College earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Whatcom Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whatcom Community College graduates have a $497 lower median loan debt than NSCC graduates ($9,500 vs. $9,997).
• Among borrowers, Whatcom Community College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSCC graduates ($98 vs. $103).

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.