Skagit Valley College vs. Whatcom Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Skagit Valley College is larger than Whatcom Community College based on total student enrollment (4,028 students vs. 3,674 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Skagit Valley College is located in Mount Vernon, WA (Small City setting); Whatcom Community College is in Bellingham, WA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Skagit Valley College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Whatcom Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Skagit Valley College 16:1; Whatcom Community College 11:1.

Skagit Valley College vs. Whatcom Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Skagit Valley 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 Skagit Valley College than Whatcom Community College ($8,264 vs. $13,116).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Skagit Valley College are 3.2% lower than at Whatcom Community College ($17,400 vs. $17,982).
• Skagit Valley College is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whatcom Community College (about $285 more per year; $5,400.00 vs. $5,115.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.2% higher at Whatcom Community College than at Skagit Valley College (about $3,537 more per year; $11,037.00 vs. $7,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Skagit Valley College than at Whatcom Community College (58% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Skagit Valley College students is 8.2% larger than aid received by Whatcom Community College students ($6,632 vs. $6,129).

Skagit Valley College vs. Whatcom Community College Admissions comparison

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

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

Skagit Valley College vs. Whatcom Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Skagit Valley 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 Whatcom Community College earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Skagit Valley College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,300 vs. $35,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whatcom Community College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Skagit Valley College graduates ($9,500 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, Whatcom Community College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Skagit Valley College graduates ($98 vs. $108).
• More Skagit Valley College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whatcom Community College students, three years after graduation. (41% 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.