Bellingham Technical College

  • Preparing an educated workforce is central to the mission of Bellingham Technical College. Today's workforce requires complex technical competencies as well as academic skills, positive work attitudes and habits, effective human relations, leadership, problem solving, critical thinking and teamwork skills.

School Highlights

Bellingham Technical College serves 2,047 students (60% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 21:1 is lower than the state community college average of 24:1.
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 60%.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Enrollment: 2,047 students
  • In-state tuition: $3,518
  • Out-state tuition: $8,708
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Student-teacher ratio: 21:1
  • Minority enrollment: 49%
  • Source: Verified school update

School Overview

The teacher population of 98 teachers has declined by 57% over five years.
Bellingham Technical College
(WA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
0
Institution Level
Four or more years
0
Institution Control
Public
0
Year Founded
1957
Total Faculty
98 staff
156 staff
Number of Programs Offered
-2
18
School Calendar

Student Body

The student population of Bellingham Technical College has grown by 10% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 21:1 has increased from 10:1 over five years.
The Bellingham Technical College diversity score of 0.67 is more than the state average of 0.00. The school's diversity has grown by 34% over five years.
Total Enrollment
2,047 students
3,791 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
21:1
24:1
# Full-Time Students
1,223 students
1,835 students
# Part-Time Students
824 students
1,956 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
146 students
324 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,223 students
1,835 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
824 students
1,956 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
150 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
1%
% Asian
5%
9%
% Hispanic
15%
19%
% Black
1%
6%
% White
51%
40%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
8%
% Non Resident races
n/a
3%
% Unknown races
21%
14%
Diversity Score
0.67
0.00
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
55%
30%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
31%
36%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$41,500
$36,400

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $3,518 is less than the state average of $4,105. The in-state tuition has declined by 12% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $8,708 is more than the state average of $7,359. The out-state tuition has grown by 66% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$3,518
$4,105
Out-State Tuition Fees
$8,708
$7,359
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
63%
70%
Median Debt for Graduates
$18,732
$11,794
Median Debt for Dropouts
$9,167
$6,242
Acceptance Rate
100%
75%
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators

School Notes

  • The role and mission of Bellingham Technical College has its roots in vocational education in the Bellingham School District (BSD). The first 'Industrial School' was planned and constructed in 1911 by the BSD. This school evolved into a manual-training section of Whatcom High School. With the passage of the Smith-Hughes Act in 1917, courses in automotive mechanics and machine shop were offered at Fairhaven High School. Planning for the present program began in 1952 when it was realized that vocational programs offered by the local school district were not meeting the needs of the community. As a result of assessments of community vocational education needs by advisory committees from labor and management, Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute was established on its present 21-acre site at 3028 Lindbergh Avenue in 1957. The college offers Degree/Certificate programs and courses in Business, Computer Technology and Management, Culinary Arts, Engineering, Manufacturing & Industrial Technology, Fisheries & Aquaculture, Transportation & Mechanical and Health Sciences & Human Services. The degree & certificate programs at Bellingham Technical College rely on the involvement and support of over 300 business and industry employers and employees from the community. Bellingham Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges, Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. The Commission is an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. Bellingham Technical College is located in the scenic Pacific Northwest, about 90 miles north of Seattle, 60 miles south of Vancouver, BC and just a mile northwest of downtown Bellingham.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Bellingham Technical College cost?
Bellingham Technical College's tuition is approximately $3,518 for In-State students and $8,708 for Out-State students.
What is the acceptance rate of Bellingham Technical College?
The acceptance rate of Bellingham Technical College is 100%, which is higher than the state average of 75%.

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • Enrollment: 2,047 students
  • In-state tuition: $3,518
  • Out-state tuition: $8,708
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Student-teacher ratio: 21:1
  • Minority enrollment: 49%
  • Source: Verified school update

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