Public
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Bellingham, Washington
Whatcom Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$18,173Annual Cost
$44,092Grad Salary
18.6%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$9,608
Need-Based Aid
18.6% receive Pell
Whatcom Community College, founded in 1967, is a public community college in Bellingham, Washington. It offers degrees in environmental science, cybersecurity, and film production. The campus includes a makerspace and partnerships with Western Washington University.
WCC is unranked but renowned for its scenic Pacific Northwest setting and strong transfer programs. Its focus on sustainability aligns with local green industries and outdoor education opportunities.
Whatcom Community College Acceptance Rate
Whatcom Community College maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Whatcom Community College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Whatcom Community College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Whatcom Community College Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Whatcom Community College Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Whatcom Community College is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Whatcom Community College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Whatcom Community College provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Lock the WWU Guaranteed-Transfer Slot Early
Whatcom's October 2025 pathway agreement with Western Washington University guarantees junior-year admission-with the $70 WWU application fee waived-to any student who completes an AAS-DTA or AS-T degree at WCC with a 2.5 cumulative GPA and at least a 2.0 GPA in their final quarter before transferring. Because this is degree-completion-based rather than competitive, the real leverage point is choosing the AAS-DTA (not just any AA) from day one with an advisor, since nearly 30 WWU majors accept direct admission under this agreement but a handful still require supplemental prerequisites.
Treat the BAS Cohort Like a Separate Competitive Application
Open admission to WCC does not equal admission to its three bachelor of applied science degrees (Applied Business Management, IT Networking-Cybersecurity, Social Work)-these cap near 30 students per fall cohort and require a completed AAS or equivalent DTA coursework plus two professional or academic references. Apply the quarter before your intended fall start, since core BAS courses are only offered once a year and a missed cohort means a full-year delay.
Run Running Start as a Zero-Cost Trial, Not an Afterthought
WA juniors/seniors are automatically accepted into Running Start with no transcript, essay, or recommendation letter-select "Academic Transfer DTA" as the degree goal even if undecided, since it preserves eligibility for the WWU guaranteed pathway later. Apply in spring for fall enrollment to get first pick of the limited cybersecurity and health sections.
Use the Cybersecurity Center as a Portfolio-Builder, Not Just a Major
WCC's NCyTE-affiliated Cybersecurity Center embeds stackable certificates (Cloud Technologies, SCADA/Industrial Control Systems, Mobile Technologies) into the AAS and BAS coursework-students aiming for the BAS-Cybersecurity cohort should finish at least one embedded certificate before applying, since it functions as informal proof of fit in a process with no essay or portfolio review.
Expert Insight:
Families frequently assume that because WCC is open-admission, every credential is equally accessible-but the BAS programs, health-science sequences, and cybersecurity cohort all have hidden secondary gates (cohort caps, prerequisite GPA, program-specific applications) that operate independently of general admission. Map the target program's actual entry requirements in the student's first quarter, not after.
Whatcom Community College Profile
Full Name
Whatcom Community College
City
Bellingham
State
Washington
ZIP Code
98226
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a Whatcom Community College Degree Worth It?
Getting into Whatcom Community College can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Whatcom Community College offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Whatcom Community College is $55,300 and the graduate unemployment rate is 4.97%.
How much does a degree from Whatcom Community College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Whatcom Community College is $18,173. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Whatcom Community College is $9,608.
18.6% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 4.8 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Whatcom Community College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Whatcom Community College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Whatcom Community College as your choice in the form.
How much does a Whatcom Community College Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $44,092. An average Whatcom Community College graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at Whatcom Community College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Whatcom Community College →
Frequently Asked Questions About Whatcom Community College Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $44,092 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $18,173 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
18.6% of students receive a Pell Grant here, which is below the national average of around 35%. This institution serves a higher proportion of higher-income students. Merit-based scholarships may still be available regardless of financial need — check the official financial aid page of the institute for details.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.