Tacoma Community College vs. Whatcom Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Tacoma Community College is larger than Whatcom Community College based on total student enrollment (6,199 students vs. 3,674 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tacoma Community College is located in Tacoma, WA (Midsize City setting); Whatcom Community College is in Bellingham, WA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Tacoma 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: Tacoma Community College 17:1; Whatcom Community College 11:1.

Tacoma Community College vs. Whatcom Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tacoma 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 Tacoma Community College than Whatcom Community College ($9,803 vs. $13,116).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tacoma Community College are 3.7% lower than at Whatcom Community College ($17,310 vs. $17,982).
• Tacoma Community College is 7.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whatcom Community College (about $392 more per year; $5,507.00 vs. $5,115.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at Tacoma Community College than at Whatcom Community College (about $609 more per year; $11,646.00 vs. $11,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tacoma Community College than at Whatcom Community College (55% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tacoma Community College students is 19.2% larger than aid received by Whatcom Community College students ($7,308 vs. $6,129).

Tacoma Community College vs. Whatcom Community College Admissions comparison

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

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

Tacoma Community College vs. Whatcom Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tacoma 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 Tacoma Community College earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Whatcom Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whatcom Community College graduates have a $3,268 lower median loan debt than Tacoma Community College graduates ($9,500 vs. $12,768).
• Among borrowers, Whatcom Community College graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tacoma Community College graduates ($98 vs. $132).
• More Whatcom Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tacoma Community College students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 34%)

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.