Whatcom Community College vs. YVCC

Comparable Facts

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

Yakima Valley College is larger than Whatcom Community College based on total student enrollment (3,809 students vs. 3,674 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Whatcom Community College is located in Bellingham, WA (Rural Fringe setting); Yakima Valley College is in Yakima, WA (Small City setting).
• Whatcom Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Yakima Valley College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Whatcom Community College 11:1; Yakima Valley College 15:1.

Whatcom Community College vs. YVCC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Whatcom Community College or YVCC? 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 Yakima Valley College than Whatcom Community College ($12,862 vs. $13,116).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Yakima Valley College are 50.4% lower than at Whatcom Community College ($8,928 vs. $17,982).
• Yakima Valley College is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whatcom Community College (about $197 more per year; $5,312.00 vs. $5,115.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.9% higher at Whatcom Community College than at Yakima Valley College (about $5,164 more per year; $11,037.00 vs. $5,873.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Yakima Valley College than at Whatcom Community College (80% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Yakima Valley College students is 30.1% larger than aid received by Whatcom Community College students ($7,971 vs. $6,129).

Whatcom Community College vs. YVCC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Whatcom Community College or YVCC? 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 YVCC and Whatcom Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Whatcom Community College - Open admission; YVCC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: YVCC Aug 12, 2027.

Whatcom Community College vs. YVCC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Whatcom Community College and YVCC? 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 $2,200 more per year than YVCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,300 vs. $35,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whatcom Community College graduates have a $1,834 lower median loan debt than YVCC graduates ($9,500 vs. $11,334).
• Among borrowers, Whatcom Community College graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than YVCC graduates ($98 vs. $117).
• More YVCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whatcom Community College students, three years after graduation. (44% 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.