Whatcom Community College

Bellingham, WA

Public midsize campus City: Small 2,378 undergrads

Affordability & debt

Average net price
$11,795per year, after aid
Undergraduates with a federal loan
5%
Undergraduates receiving a Pell grant
21%need-based, not repaid
Typical debt at graduation
$10,643federal loans, students who finished
Reducing their balance within 3 years
44%of borrowers who entered repayment

What that debt costs to repay. Typical debt here is about $10,643. At 7% over 10 years — the standard federal plan — that is roughly $124 a month, about $14,829 repaid in total, of which $4,186 is interest.

Stretch the same balance over 25 years and the payment drops to $75 a month — but the total climbs to $22,567, roughly $7,738 more in interest. A smaller payment is not a smaller loan.

An estimate, not financial advice: straight amortization at a fixed rate, ignoring fees, interest accrued while enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Figures on this page are averages and medians — what any one family borrows and pays varies widely. Try your own numbers.

Whatcom Community College’s net price calculator — every college is required to publish one. It is the only way to get a cost estimate based on your family’s own finances rather than an average.

Published tuition

In-state tuition
$5,115published rate
Out-of-state tuition
$11,037published rate

The sticker price before any aid. Most students pay less than this — the net price above is what aided students actually paid on average.

Outcomes

Median earnings
$44,09210 years after entry

Median earnings of former students who received federal aid, measured 10 years after they started.

Campus life

Campus setting
City: Small
Residential character
Primarily commuter — most students live off campus

Most common fields of study

  • Liberal arts & humanities43%
  • Health professions17%
  • Business & marketing16%
  • Computer & information sciences8%
  • Education6%
  • Family & consumer sciences3%

Share of degrees awarded, by broad field.

Athletics

NWAC

  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Volleyball

What borrowing would really cost

Starting from the typical debt at Whatcom Community College. Change any figure to see your own.

Federal undergraduate loans have recently been near 7%. Private loans are often higher.

Standard plan — 10 years

$124per month

Total repaid
$14,829
Interest paid
$4,186

Longer term — 25 years

$75per month

Total repaid
$22,567
Interest paid
$11,924

Borrow $10,643 and repay it over 25 years instead of 10, and you pay $7,738 more — $22,567 in all, about 2.1× what you borrowed. The monthly payment is smaller; the loan is not.

An estimate, not financial advice. Straight amortization at a fixed rate: it assumes every payment is made on time and the rate never changes, and it leaves out fees, interest that accrues while you’re still enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Planning4College is not a financial advisor and sells no loans. Check real terms with your school’s financial aid office and studentaid.gov.

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Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Equity in Athletics survey. Figures reflect the most recent reporting year available and may be out of date or incomplete — confirm anything decision-critical with the college directly. Official site: Whatcom Community College.