Throughout the Northwest a few other communities can boast of the beautiful scenery that distinguishes our corner of the Country, but it’s Whatcom County’s education system that really sets us apart. Public & private schools, active home-school support programs, vocational-technical programs, colleges and universities, all make Whatcom County a great place to raise a family or continue your own education.

Whatcom County school districts have been recognized in the State and Region for their achievements and are among the best in the Nation. Several of our districts and educators have won local, state, and national awards and recognition for excellence. The website SchoolMatter.com will allow you to access the statistics of any School District or School in the United States and to find out the average scores and participation rates for various nationalized tests. Furthermore, it provides information about enrollment and spending for the School District. Or go to Washington State Report Cards, they use WASL as a way to measure each School and School District progress. You can also contact any of the Private Schools for more information.

Western Washington University is the state’s third largest university with nearly 12,500 students and is Whatcom County’s largest employer. It is a highly regarded liberal arts institution and ranked among the nation’s top 50 best values for public colleges and universities for Consumer Digest magazine in 2004. Western includes a stunning setting of nearly 80 buildings on a 200-acre campus, including the 38-acre Arboretum that is operated jointly with the city of Bellingham. The world-renowned outdoor sculpture collection complements the views of the San Juan Islands. 

Whatcom Community College has approximately seven thousand students in attendance each quarter. It offers associate degrees in academic, technical, and professional areas in addition to opportunities to complete high school. Also, WCC has special programs to assist students acquire learning skills necessary for success in their academic and occupational futures. 

Bellingham Technical College offers 26 Associate of Applied Science degrees and 36 certificate programs with over 4,000 students currently enrolled. BTC has offered quality workforce education for over forty years. 

Click here for a list of all Whatcom County's Schools