Spokane Community College vs. Whatcom Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Spokane Community College is larger than Whatcom Community College based on total student enrollment (6,813 students vs. 3,674 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spokane Community College is located in Spokane, WA (Midsize City setting); Whatcom Community College is in Bellingham, WA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Spokane Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Whatcom Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spokane Community College 14:1; Whatcom Community College 11:1.

Spokane Community College vs. Whatcom Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spokane Community 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 Spokane Community College than Whatcom Community College ($6,132 vs. $13,116).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spokane Community College are 3.7% lower than at Whatcom Community College ($17,310 vs. $17,982).
• Spokane Community College is 6.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whatcom Community College (about $346 more per year; $5,461.00 vs. $5,115.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.9% higher at Whatcom Community College than at Spokane Community College (about $4,425 more per year; $11,037.00 vs. $6,612.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spokane Community College than at Whatcom Community College (65% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spokane Community College students is 24.9% larger than aid received by Whatcom Community College students ($7,655 vs. $6,129).

Spokane Community College vs. Whatcom Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spokane Community 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 Spokane Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spokane Community College - Open admission; Whatcom Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Spokane Community College Aug 30, 2027.

Spokane Community College vs. Whatcom Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spokane Community 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 $1,600 more per year than Spokane Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,300 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whatcom Community College graduates have a $6,783 lower median loan debt than Spokane Community College graduates ($9,500 vs. $16,283).
• Among borrowers, Whatcom Community College graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spokane Community College graduates ($98 vs. $168).
• More Whatcom Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spokane Community College students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 35%)

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.