Walla Walla Community College vs. Whatcom Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Whatcom Community College is larger than Walla Walla Community College based on total student enrollment (3,674 students vs. 2,967 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Walla Walla Community College is located in Walla Walla, WA (Rural Fringe setting); Whatcom Community College is in Bellingham, WA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Walla Walla 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: Walla Walla Community College 18:1; Whatcom Community College 11:1.

Walla Walla Community College vs. Whatcom Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Walla Walla 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 Walla Walla Community College than Whatcom Community College ($10,612 vs. $13,116).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Walla Walla Community College are 3.7% lower than at Whatcom Community College ($17,310 vs. $17,982).
• Walla Walla Community College is 3.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whatcom Community College (about $164 more per year; $5,279.00 vs. $5,115.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.7% higher at Whatcom Community College than at Walla Walla Community College (about $4,337 more per year; $11,037.00 vs. $6,700.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Walla Walla Community College than at Whatcom Community College (80% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Walla Walla Community College students is 23.8% larger than aid received by Whatcom Community College students ($7,586 vs. $6,129).

Walla Walla Community College vs. Whatcom Community College Admissions comparison

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

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

Walla Walla Community College vs. Whatcom Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Walla Walla 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 $900 more per year than Walla Walla Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,300 vs. $36,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whatcom Community College graduates have a $2,674 lower median loan debt than Walla Walla Community College graduates ($9,500 vs. $12,174).
• Among borrowers, Whatcom Community College graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Walla Walla Community College graduates ($98 vs. $125).
• More Walla Walla Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whatcom Community College students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.