Colleges Near Bellingham, Washington
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Bellingham? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 70 miles of Bellingham, Washington.
There are at least 10 colleges serving the area, including 1 private college or university, 1 public college or university, and 8 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving Bellingham, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Bellingham, Washington Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Bellingham, Washington have been declining over the past 5 years. In 2022, students completed 8,710 doctorates at colleges and universities near Bellingham. That was a decrease of 12% from completions reported in 2018.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2022
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,444
Completions By Degree
1,820
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Bellingham, Washington
There are at least 1 school offering degrees near Bellingham, Washington, and 1 is a four-year private college or university where about 4,444 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2022, a total of 1,820 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 1,820 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Bellingham, Washington area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2022, 1,011 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 94 associate degrees, 676 master's degrees, and 39 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,444
Completions By Degree
1,820
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Public Colleges & Universities Near Bellingham, Washington
There is 1 four-year public college located near Bellingham, Washington. About 13,933 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 3,779 degrees were completed at public colleges near Bellingham. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Western Washington University is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Western Washington University. In 2022, 3,467 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 307 master's degrees, and 5 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
13,933
Completions By Degree
3,779
Est. Online Degree Availability
3%
Completions by Program Area
Community Colleges Near Bellingham, Washington
There are 8 community colleges near Bellingham, Washington where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2022, about 23,148 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Bellingham, and about 4,931 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Skagit Valley College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and all programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,987
Completions By Degree
643
Est. Online Degree Availability
99%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Shoreline Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,719
Completions By Degree
746
Est. Online Degree Availability
5%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Bellingham Technical College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,706
Completions By Degree
414
Est. Online Degree Availability
2%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Northwest Indian College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
611
Completions By Degree
109
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Everett Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
6,484
Completions By Degree
1,060
Est. Online Degree Availability
2%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Whatcom Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,611
Completions By Degree
779
Est. Online Degree Availability
11%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Edmonds College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and most programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,839
Completions By Degree
810
Est. Online Degree Availability
69%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Peninsula College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,191
Completions By Degree
370
Est. Online Degree Availability
10%
Completions by Program Area
Affordable Colleges Near Bellingham, Washington
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Bellingham, Washington? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Bellingham-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $9,140. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Bellingham is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is $4,253.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving Bellingham, Washington
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in Bellingham, Washington is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Bellingham, Washington here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Western Washington University
- Skagit Valley College
- Shoreline Community College
- Bellingham Technical College
- Northwest Indian College
- Everett Community College
- Whatcom Community College
- Edmonds College
- Peninsula College
Bellingham, Washington Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Bellingham? What's the Bellingham, Washington job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2022, there were about 2,518,212 jobs in the Bellingham, Washington area. From 2021-2022, job growth in Bellingham was above the national average, at 4%. There were 315,508 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Bellingham do better than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $24.46.