Whatcom Community College | Field Guide 2026
Dr. Justin Guillory
- Jeff Fairchild, chair
- Rebecca Johnson, vice chair
- John Pedlow
- Wendy Bohlke
- Teresa Taylor
1967
Whatcom County
40, 42
Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, Washington, is a destination for cybersecurity, healthcare, and business
studies and offers three bachelor of applied science degrees in applied business management,
IT networking-cybersecurity, and social work; transfer degrees; online, hybrid, and
in-person courses; career and workforce preparation; and community education classes.
With affordable and accessible programs at WCC, students of every age and background
can create their own pathways that align with their specific goals and interests.
WCC consistently enhances its range of programs to support students in transitioning
to four-year institutions and pursuing successful careers. New high school graduates,
laid-off workers, seasoned employees, and future university students all count on
WCC to support their academic and career goals.
Key Facts
- Academic transfer (DTA)
- Business (DTA)
- Liberal students (AA)
- Associate in science (AS-T)
- Cybersecurity (AAS-T)
- Headcount (all sources): 6,575
- FTES (all sources): 3,085
- Headcount (state-funded): 4,238
- FTES (state-funded): 2,060
- Bachelor's: 115
- I-BEST: 99
- International: 59
- Running Start: 1,189
- Worker Retraining: 62
Student Profile
- Academic/transfer: 55%
- Basic skills: 8%
- Workforce education: 16%
- Other: 22%
Students of color: 32%
- American Indian/Alaska Native: 3%
- Asian: 10%
- Black/African American: 4%
- Hispanic/Latino: 17%
- Pacific Islander: 1%
- White: 62%
- Full-time: 43%
- Part-time: 57%
- Students receiving need-based financial aid: 31%
- Students with dependents: 23%
- Female: 3,596
- Male: 2,432
- X: 65
- Not reported: 482
23
Points of Interest
Whatcom Community College is directly addressing critical workforce shortages in Whatcom County through innovative degree pathways. The College has developed a new Associate of Allied Health degree for students pursuing healthcare certifications, licensure, or degrees. This model is quickly gaining recognition as an innovative approach, aligning degree pathways across multiple professions and institutions to meet the urgent workforce needs of the region. Additionally, Whatcom’s Bachelor of Social Work program continues to break barriers as the first community college in the nation to achieve candidacy status with the Council on Social Work Education. With this accreditation progress, graduates will be able to enter master’s programs with advanced standing, creating a streamlined pipeline of qualified social workers to serve the community.
Whatcom has been recognized as one of the top-tier educational programs through the Department of Defense to host a Cyber Service Academy Scholar. These scholars receive full tuition, a stipend, a book allowance, and funding for technology purchases, indicating Whatcom’s continued excellence in cybersecurity and technology.
Whatcom Community College and Western Washington University recently entered into a guaranteed admission agreement that permits students who complete an Associate in Arts and Sciences Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA) or Associate in Science–Transfer (AS-T) with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and a 2.0 or higher in the term in which they apply and prior to enrollment at Western to transfer to Western without an application fee. Approximately 79 percent of Whatcom students are transfer students, and Western is by far the College’s largest transfer partner, making this agreement a significant milestone for student success and access to four-year education.
Data is from the 2024-25 academic year. Reflects headcount unless otherwise noted. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
*Students of color percent based on unduplicated headcount. Students may be counted in more than one race, so race/ethnicity percentages may not total 100%. Percentages calculated on reported value.
**Excluding Running Start.
