- 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 2,568 students (49% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 11:1 is lower than the state community college average of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 56%.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Enrollment: 2,568 students
- In-state tuition: $3,518
- Out-state tuition: $8,708
- Student:teacher ratio: 11:1
- Minority enrollment: 44%
- Source: Verified school update
School Overview
The teacher population of 233 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Bellingham Technical College
(WA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Baccalaureate/Associate's Colleges: Associate's Dominant
Baccalaureate/Associate's Colleges: Associate's Dominant
Institution Level
Four or more years
Four or more years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
233 staff
353 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Bellingham Technical College has grown by 10% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 11:1 has increased from 8:1 over five years.
The Bellingham Technical College diversity score of 0.66 is less than the state average of 0.75. The school's diversity has grown by 12% over five years.
Total Enrollment
2,568 students
4,711 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
15:1
# Full-Time Students
1,262 students
2,028 students
# Part-Time Students
1,306 students
3,179 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
256 students
494 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,262 students
2,028 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,306 students
3,179 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
1%
% Asian
5%
10%
% Hispanic
14%
17%
% Black
1%
7%
% White
56%
44%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
6%
8%
% Non Resident races
n/a
3%
% Unknown races
16%
9%
Diversity Score
0.66
0.75
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)
0.3056%
0.3584%
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 10% 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 77% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$3,518
$4,105
Out-State Tuition Fees
$8,708
$7,359
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
33%
58%
Median Debt for Graduates
$18,732
$11,794
Median Debt for Dropouts
$9,167
$6,192
Acceptance Rate
n/a
99%
Source: 2024 (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.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to Bellingham Technical College is Whatcom Community College (2.2 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Students
237 W Kellogg Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 383-3000
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 383-3000
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(360) 416-7600
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(360) 416-7600
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Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building
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(360) 385-4948
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(360) 385-4948
51.7 miles
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(425) 388-9100
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Peninsula College
Public
1502 E Lauridsen Blvd
Port Angeles, WA 98362
(360) 452-9277
Port Angeles, WA 98362
(360) 452-9277
61.7 miles
| 2,309 students
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