Public community college in Bellingham offering transfer degrees, technical training, and workforce development since 1967.
Whatcom offers transfer degrees, professional and technical training programs, basic education, job skills, online courses, and community & continuing education classes. The college provides nine areas of study including Arts & Communication, Business, Healthcare & Social Services, Information Technology & Computer Science, and Science, Engineering & Math. Students can pursue guaranteed transfer admission to Western Washington University and participate in programs leading to professional licensure.
The 72-acre campus in north Bellingham features 13 buildings including the Health Professions Education Center, Syre Student Center, and on-campus housing in Cedar Hall. WCC competes in the Northern Region of the Northwest Athletic Conference with intercollegiate teams in men's and women's soccer, women's volleyball, and men's and women's basketball. The college serves a diverse student body: 56% female, 44% male; 68% between ages 16–24; 21% students of color; 42% first-generation; and 300+ international students from 30 countries.
WCC welcomes diverse student populations including Running Start high school students, international students, veterans, English language learners, and undocumented students. The college offers multiple pathways including transfer programs, professional and technical certificates, and community & continuing education. Support services include academic tutoring, math center, writing center, counseling, access and disability services, and career advising through the Career, Job & Transfer Center.
In 2014, the NSA and Department of Homeland Security designated WCC as a national center of academic excellence in information assurance and cyber defense—among the first community colleges nationally to earn this distinction. In 2021, WCC was designated an NSF Advanced Technological Education National Cybersecurity Center. The college was recognized by the Aspen Institute as among the nation's top 150 community colleges for exceptional student success and received the Hobsons Progress and Succeed Award for innovative student advising technology.