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 2024, students completed 8,328 doctorates at colleges and universities near Bellingham. That was a decrease of 18% from completions reported in 2020.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2024
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
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
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 5,117 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2024, a total of 2,171 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 2,171 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 2024, 1,429 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 88 associate degrees, 616 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
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 13,686 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 3,674 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 2024, 3,383 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 286 master's degrees, and 5 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
13,686
Completions By Degree
3,674
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 2024, about 21,549 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Bellingham, and about 4,654 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Shoreline Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,566
Completions By Degree
724
Est. Online Degree Availability
66%
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 no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,543
Completions By Degree
380
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
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 no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,821
Completions By Degree
704
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
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
632
Completions By Degree
127
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
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 some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,749
Completions By Degree
611
Est. Online Degree Availability
54%
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 no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,370
Completions By Degree
1,163
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
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 no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,763
Completions By Degree
627
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
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 some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,105
Completions By Degree
318
Est. Online Degree Availability
59%
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 $9,577. 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 N/A.
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
- Shoreline Community College
- Bellingham Technical College
- Whatcom Community College
- Northwest Indian College
- Edmonds College
- Everett Community College
- Skagit Valley 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 2024, there were about 2,605,430 jobs in the Bellingham, Washington area. From 2023-2024, job growth in Bellingham was below the national average, at 0.8%. There were 326,783 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Bellingham do better than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $26.35.