- 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 1,848 students (61% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 8:1 is lower than the state community college average of 11:1.
Minority enrollment is 30% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 50%.
Quick Stats (2024)
- Enrollment: 1,848 students
- In-state tuition: $3,518
- Out-state tuition: $8,708
- Student:teacher ratio: 8:1
- Minority enrollment: 30%
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Bellingham Technical College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Washington for:
Category
Attribute
Student Earnings
Completion Rates
School Overview
The teacher population of 233 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Bellingham Technical College
(WA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
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 declined by 20% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 8:1 has decreased from 10:1 over five years.
The Bellingham Technical College diversity score of 0.49 is less than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has declined by 16% over five years.
Total Enrollment
1,848 students
4,003 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
11:1
# Full-Time Students
1,127 students
2,116 students
# Part-Time Students
721 students
1,887 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
176 students
384 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,127 students
2,116 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
11 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
721 students
1,887 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
1%
% Asian
4%
8%
% Hispanic
9%
14%
% Black
1%
5%
% White
70%
50%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
5%
8%
% Non Resident races
n/a
6%
% Unknown races
9%
7%
Diversity Score
0.49
0.71
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)
0.39%
2.2%
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 $4,559. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $8,708 is more than the state average of $7,740. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$3,518
$4,559
Out-State Tuition Fees
$8,708
$7,740
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
62%
67%
Median Debt for Graduates
$18,732
$11,794
Median Debt for Dropouts
$9,167
$6,292
Acceptance Rate
n/a
100%
Source: 2021 (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 Bellingham Technical College's ranking?
Bellingham Technical College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Washington for: Highest graduate earnings (10 years post graduation) and Highest completion rates.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to Bellingham Technical College is Whatcom Community College (2.2 miles away)
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