LWTech vs Whatcom Community College

Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) and Whatcom Community College (WCC) stand out as two prominent educational institutions in Washington, each offering unique opportunities for higher learning. While both colleges share a commitment to providing quality education, they differ in several key aspects. LWTech boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for students. In contrast, WCC has a slightly higher graduation rate, indicating a strong focus on student success. When it comes to popular majors, LWTech excels in programs related to engineering, manufacturing, and healthcare, while WCC offers a wider range of options, including arts, humanities, and social sciences. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these institutions, including student body demographics, tuition fees, and available student services, to determine which college best aligns with your academic goals and aspirations.
Lake Washington Institute of Technology logo

Lake Washington Institute of Technology

Whatcom Community College logo

Whatcom Community College

Overview

Location Kirkland, Washington Bellingham, Washington
Campus setting Suburb: Large City: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Quarter Quarter
Degrees offered Undergraduate Undergraduate
Students retention rate
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate Open Admission Open Admission
Application fees
SAT range N/A N/A
ACT range N/A N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants
Total number of admissions given out
Admitted students who chose to enroll
Yield rate
Test scores (SAT/ACT) Not required Not required
High school GPA N/A N/A
Recommendation letters N/A N/A
High school transcript N/A N/A
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) N/A N/A

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $20,542

Out of state: $26,079
In state: $20,393

Out of state: $25,997
Average net price $10,854 $9,450
Tuition
In state: $3,029

Out of state: $8,105
In state: $4,523

Out of state: $10,127
Room & board
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

40.0%
Average amount $4,547
59.0%
Average amount $5,510
Students receiving federal student loan 5.0%
Average amount $5,596
7.0%
Average amount $5,035
Students taking out private loans 2.0%
Average amount $6,087
1.0%
Average amount $12,750

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 3,240
Men 41.3% Women 58.7%
3,850
Men 42.3% Women 57.7%
Graduate students N/A N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Low
Out-of-state students 0.0% 4.6%
International students 3.2% 6.1%
Campus local/setting Suburb: Large City: Small
Dormitory capacity N/A 230
First year students are required to live on campus? N/A No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Washington Washington Alaska Arizona California Colorado

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Business
  • Automotive Technology
  • Liberal Arts
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
Students to faculty ratio 12:1 13:1
Institutional accreditation Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome

Graduation rate 42.9% 34.0%
Dropout rate 36.5% 36.3%
Transferred out 10.3% 20.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $76,260
  • Year 2: $65,797
  • Year 3: $76,134
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,855
  • Year 2: $64,659
  • Year 3: $69,181
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $51,482
  • Year 3: $56,108
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $34,296
  • Year 2: $49,729
  • Year 3: $45,556
Precision Metal Working (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $43,639
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: $43,714
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,402
  • Year 2: $37,568
  • Year 3: $36,872
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $36,672
  • Year 2: $35,594
  • Year 3: $36,844
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $29,685
  • Year 3: $25,872
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,716
  • Year 2: $43,798
  • Year 3: N/A
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,653
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,493
  • Year 2: $61,020
  • Year 3: $55,012
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,853
  • Year 2: $40,209
  • Year 3: $42,479
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $27,494
  • Year 3: $36,042
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $25,489
  • Year 2: $24,649
  • Year 3: $27,358
Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $18,771
  • Year 3: $18,428

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