Skagit Valley College vs Whatcom Community College
CERT programs compared — side-by-side on NCLEX pass rates, tuition, admissions, and format.
At a glance
Side-by-side details
Best value in each row is highlighted.
| Skagit Valley College Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Whatcom Community College Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | |
|---|---|---|
| Program type | CERT | CERT |
| Format | in person | in person |
| Location | Mount Vernon, WA | Bellingham, WA |
| Length | 12 months | 12 months |
| NCLEX pass rate | 100%BEST | 93.3% |
| Acceptance rate | — | — |
| Avg accepted GPA | — | — |
| Min GPA | — | — |
| Entrance exam | — | — |
| Total tuition | $5,620 in / $7,561 out | $5,146 in / $11,096 outBEST |
| In-state tuition | $5,620 | $5,146BEST |
| Out-of-state tuition | $7,561BEST | $11,096 |
| Clinical placement | — | — |
| Accreditation | SCORECARD_BASELINE | SCORECARD_BASELINE |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has a higher NCLEX pass rate, Skagit Valley College or Whatcom Community College?
Skagit Valley College's CERT program has the higher first-attempt NCLEX pass rate at 100%, compared to 93.3% for the other program. NCLEX pass rates are the single best signal of how well a program prepares students for licensure.
Which is cheaper, Skagit Valley College or Whatcom Community College?
Whatcom Community College is the more affordable option at roughly $5,146, compared to $5,620. Factor in residency status, financial aid, and program length when deciding — total cost matters more than annual tuition.
Are Skagit Valley College and Whatcom Community College the same type of program?
Both are CERT programs, so they award the same credential. Compare them on NCLEX pass rate, tuition, length, and location to find the better fit.
How do I decide between Skagit Valley College and Whatcom Community College?
Start by ruling out programs you can't get into (compare your GPA against each school's admissions stats), then weight what matters most — NCLEX pass rate for quality, total tuition for cost, length for time-to-degree, and format (online, hybrid, in-person) for lifestyle. Use NurseWay's free intake to get a personalized fit score for both.
Want a personalized fit score?
Take the free 3-minute intake and we'll rank both programs against your GPA, location preferences, and budget.