Bellevue College
Bellevue College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Bellevue College at a Glance
Bellevue College (BC) is a public college in Bellevue, Washington. Created in 1966, the school is the largest of the 34 institutions that make up the Washington Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) system and the third-largest institution of higher education in the state.
1966
60 years old
19,749
918
100 acres
Identity
Is Bellevue College Worth It?
Bellevue College offers moderate value at $11,430/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $56,310, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 35% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Bellevue College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WA
Ranked #135 of 252 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #4 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #5 | CUNY Brooklyn College | 100 | $3,103 | $60,752 |
| #6 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | 100 | $3,203 | $56,195 |
| #135 | Bellevue College | 43 | $11,430 | $56,310 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Bellevue College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 15 in WA.
Best Programs at Bellevue College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Bellevue College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $11,430/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Bellevue, WA
- Student Body
- 7,364 students
- Graduation Rate
- 35%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $11,430
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $56,310
- Median Student Debt
- $12,375