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.
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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.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
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College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
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.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a college search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.
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.
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