Tuition, Fees, Rates & Costs

Fall Quarter tuition and fees are estimated each year and then are recalculated to reflect increases approved by the Legislature and Board of Trustees after those decisions are finalized, usually by the end of July.  FY 24 rates were finalized on 5/11/23.

A wealth of information is at your fingertips! Learn to understand what you will be charged for classes and resources to support you in paying for it. How does the money side of college work at Bellingham Technical College? Read all about it!
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How much will it cost?

Select Program for an estimate of costs


Cost Estimates for General Education Classes

How much will a quarter of General Education classes cost?

  • See estimates for your Residency Classification below
  • Add $50 to estimate for each lab science class
  • Plus books, materials and supplies
  • Note that Program Classes charge additional program fees - see specific program information above
  • WA State Resident

    •   5 credits General Education   $   634.60
    • 10 credits General Education   $1,269.20
    • 15 credits General Education   $1,617.75
  • Out-of-State BTC Waiver

    •   5 credits General Education   $  854.07
    • 10 credits General Education   $1,708.15
    • 15 credits General Education   $2,066.56
  • Non-Resident

    •   5 credits General Education   $1,606.45
    • 10 credits General Education   $3,212.90
    • 15 credits General Education   $3,601.15

Related Information

Your residency status will affect your tuition rate. For more information, see Tuition below and see Residency information.

Check our BTC Campus Store for more information regarding books, supplies, tools and more.

TUITION & FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

State Support and Student Costs

The following information has been provided by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

2023-2024 State Support and Student Costs

The average cost to educate a resident full-time community or technical college student for the 2023-2024 academic year is $15,894. Students pay an average of $3,633 in tuition toward this cost. The remaining $12,261 is an "opportunity pathway" provided by the State and is funded by state taxes and other sources. The amounts shown are averages for a full-time, resident student. The actual tuition a student pays will vary due to credit load, residency status and other factors.

HB 1795 disclosure

Primary sources of operating funds received by community and technical colleges are available in the HB 1795 disclosure document.

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How will I afford it?

Resources

Explore these resources to see what fits into your college financial plan

Student Financial Resources
Payment Plan
DREAMers
Running Start
IMPACT! (Youth Re-engagement)

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Tuition and Fees

2023-2024 rates and balances are final as of 5/11/23.

EDUCATION TAX CREDIT INFORMATION (1098T)
Annual tax statement for tuition and fees paid

FAQs regarding the 1098T

How to access an electronic copy of your 2023 – 1098T form.

To be able to receive your 2023 1098-T Tax documentation in ctcLink:

If you attended BTC prior to the conversion to ctcLink in Fall of 2021 and you do not have your ctcLink login info, you will need to contact us at businessoffice@btc.edu or 360.752.8358. (please leave a message with your name, student id, last four digits of your SSN, current address, and tax year request.)

Tuition

Bellingham Technical College tuition rates are set according to the Washington Community College Tuition Rate Schedule based on legislative authorization provided in ESHB 1087 Section 604(4).

Following the Washington State Community College Tuition Rate Schedule allows BTC to offer Direct Transfer Agreements (DTAs) and Major Related Programs of Study. More information on DTAs and MRPs.

Students taking State Funded classes must Apply to BTC and have Residency determined.

Tuition and Fees in ctcLink

Tuition Rates

Rates posted are for the 2023-2024 academic year effective 5/11/23.

See related topic of Residency information.

Select Residency classification or Waiver type to view rates by credits.

  • Washington State Resident

    Associate Degree and Certificate Resident rate per credit
    • Credits 1-10     $126.92
    • Credits 11-18     $69.71
    • Credits 19+      $119.90

    Resident Lower Division Tuition by Credit Load

    Baccalaureate Resident rate per credit (300 & 400 level classes)
    • Credits 1-10     $243.44
    • Credits 11-18     $21.02
    • Credits 19+      $236.42

    Resident Baccalaureate Tuition by Credit Load

  • Out-of-State / BTC Tuition Waiver

    Associate Degree and Certificate Out-of-State / BTC Tuition Waiver rate per credit
    • Credits 1-10     $170.81
    • Credits 11-18     $71.68
    • Credits 19+      $149.06

    Non-Resident with BTC Waiver Lower Division Tuition by Credit Load

    Baccalaureate Out-of-State / BTC Tuition Waiver rate per credit (300 & 400 level classes)
    • Credits 1-10     $323.37
    • Credits 11-18     $21.94
    • Credits 19+      $301.61
  • Non-Resident

    Associate Degree and Certificate Non-Resident rate per credit
    • Credits 1-10     $321.29
    • Credits 11-18     $77.65
    • Credits 19+      $314.27
    Baccalaureate Non-Resident rate per credit (300 & 400 level classes)
    • Credits 1-10     $678.04
    • Credits 11-18     $21.94
    • Credits 19+      $671.02
  • Running Start

    The 2023-2024 Running Start Fee is $9.03 per Running Start eligible credit.

To Calculate your Tuition
  1. Start by calculating your first 10 credits at the "Credits 1-10" rate.
  2. If you take more than 10 credits, your 11th credit is discounted.
    For example, for 15 credits, calculate 10 credits at the "Credits 1-10" rate.
  3. Then calculate 5 credits at the "Credits 11-18" rate, and add these figures together.

If you are also taking Self-Support classes, do not include these credits in calculating your tuition since Self-Support classes charge only fees.

Taking Baccalaureate classes?

Are you are taking more than 10 credits of Baccalaureate classes (300-400 level) AND ALSO taking a 100-200 level class in the same quarter? If yes, it may be less expensive to pay the Baccalaureate rate for your lower-level class. Please email registration@btc.edu for us to check for you.

Credit Status
  • 6 credits = part-time
  • 9 credits = 3/4 time
  • 12 credits = full-time
Typical Full-Time Credit Load
  • Academic Classes only - 12-15 credits per quarter
  • Vocational Instruction - 15-22 credits per quarter (includes hands-on lab time)
  • Maximum credits per quarter - 26 credits
    Permission is required to exceed 26 credits. Talk with your Navigator or Faculty Advisor.

Fees

BTC adjusts tuition and fees annually, according to state regulations and program and course costs. Adjustments are effective as soon as they are implemented, which may be during the academic year—so check here for up-to-date information.

Tuition and Fees in ctcLink

Administrative, Operating, Building, and Student Approved Fees

Administrative, Operating, Building, and Student Approved Fees are included as part of your tuition.

Running Start Fee

The Running Start fee for 2023-2024 is $9.03 per Running Start eligible credit. The Running Start fee consists of the Administrative, Operating, Building, and Student Approved Fees which are a tuition line item.

Program and Class Fees

Program fees and class fees address distinct and specified program and class costs such as lab assistants, supplies, materials, equipment, rentals, software licensing, replacement and upgrade, maintenance, and other operational costs.

Self-Support Class Fee

Self-Support classes charge fees only (no tuition) and are not subject to Washington State Residency Requirements.

Fee rates for Self-Support classes are set specifically for each class.

Fees for Particular Services

2023-2024 rates effective 5/11/23

  • $10.25 - Official Transcript - order online (No cost for unofficial transcript)
  • $10.00 - Replacement Degree/Certificate (per copy)
  • Approximately $120 - Certified Background Check for Health Programs
  • $30.00 Returned Check Fee

The tuition charge includes required fees from the State Board of Community and

Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and locally determined fees from the college and the Associated

Students of BTC (ASBTC).

 

These required fees are now shown separately on your bill. For State-supported classes, charges

include:

  • Operating fee: Legislatively determined tuition fee that supports school operations

    locally.

  • Building fee: SBCTC determined tuition fee that supports infrastructure and innovation

    statewide. This tuition fee is charged for in-person and online classes.

  • S&A fee: ASBTC determined tuition services and activity fee used to cover student

    activities and programs locally.

  • General Processing fee: BTC determined processing fee charged to all students per

    credit.

  • Technology fee: BTC determined fee supporting the use of technology by students and

    related-on campus support services.

  • eLearning fee: BTC determined fee supporting web-enhancement of all classes across

    campus benefiting all students.

  • ASB Center fee: ASBTC determined fee covering building costs associated with the

    ASB Center in the Campus Center building.

 

BTC follows the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) tuition and fees

policies, which generally describe the amounts that are charged for different types of classes and

students. More information is available the SBCTC tuition and fees web page.

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Payment and Due Dates

Payment in Full

You are considered "Officially Enrolled" when your tuition and fees are paid in full. Tuition and Fees are due in full by the date indicated on the College Calendar. Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice.

Payment must be made in full, fully-funded, or a payment plan set up by the payment due date to remain enrolled. Accounts not paid in full by due date may result in classes being dropped for non-payment. Past due balances may be subject to collection fees or subsequent placement with a collection agency.

Tuition and Fee Payment Due Dates

Tuition and fee due dates are posted on our BTC Calendar. If registering after Tuition & Fee Date, payment is due within 48 hours. After quarter start, payment is due within 24 hours. Students can see upcoming dates in myBTC. Generally, payment due dates are as follows.

  • Summer: mid-June
  • *Fall: mid-August
  • Winter: mid-December
  • Spring: mid-March

*Fall Quarter Running Start students who register during the summer and are not able to obtain the Running Start Enrollment Verification form before the payment due date may request a payment extension. Contact Registration 360.752.8350 or registration@btc.edu.

Ways to Pay

  • Online with a credit card through ctcLink Sign In. Learn more about making payments online 

  • By dropping a check made payable to BTC in the secure payment drop box located at the left entrance of the College Services building. Be sure to put it in an envelope labeled "Attention: Cashier"

  • By mailing a check to Business Office BTC: Cashier, 3028 Lindbergh Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225-1599
  • In-person at the cashier window in the College Services building, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch)

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Refund Policy

Our Refund Policy is published in the BTC catalog.

Note that there are three sections to the Refund Policy.

  • State Funded
  • Self-Support
  • Refund Information

Please see the specific part of the policy that pertains to the type of classes you are taking. In Class Search, Self-Support classes are indicated by an “S” symbol.

If you have questions, you may inquire at registration@btc.edu.

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Hours & Contacts

Regular Hours

Mon to Thu: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fri: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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