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$5,620Tuition
2,581Students
34%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$43,505Earnings
Public4-yearStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Skagit Valley College

Skagit Valley College builds bridges between high school and four-year universities while training students for immediate employment in the Pacific Northwest. The college enrolls 2,581 students across its Mount Vernon campus and serves as the educational center for Washington's fertile Skagit Valley region. Students choose between workforce training programs that connect directly to local industries and transfer pathways to universities. The quarter system allows flexibility for working students and career changers.

The financial picture makes sense for most families. Students pay an average net price of $6,116 after aid, with low-income families paying just $4,672. Graduates earn a median of $43,505 ten years after starting, while carrying modest debt loads of $13,805. Monthly loan payments average only $146, making this education highly affordable. The 87.3% employment rate shows strong job market connections.

This community college reflects its diverse agricultural region. Hispanic students make up 28.59% of enrollment, while 96.47% of students come from Washington state. The Cardinals field 9 varsity sports teams with 148 total athletes. Housing capacity serves just 140 students, so most commute from nearby communities. The 17:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personal attention in both technical programs and academic transfer courses.

Academics & Faculty

Skagit Valley College operates as a community college focused on workforce training and seamless university transfer preparation. The school maintains a 17:1 student-faculty ratio, providing students with more personalized attention than typical large universities. However, the 34% four-year graduation rate reflects the reality that many students attend part-time while working or take longer to complete their programs. The college excels in vocational training programs that directly feed into local industries like agriculture, healthcare, and skilled trades. Students earn a median of $35,961 just one year after graduation, demonstrating the practical value of career-focused programs that connect directly to regional job markets.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
17:1
Full-Time Faculty
100.0%
Graduation Rate (4-year)
33.9%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
33.6%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$43,505

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Associate $57,318
Natural Resources Management and Policy. Certificate $41,193
Precision Metal Working. Associate $39,369
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. Certificate $36,852
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. Associate $36,069
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. Associate $32,162
Marketing. Associate $29,685
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. Associate $28,019
Health and Medical Administrative Services. Certificate $26,353
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Associate $23,262

View all 69 programs →

Campus Life

Students at Skagit Valley College experience small-town Pacific Northwest life in Mount Vernon, about 60 miles north of Seattle. With only 140 housing spots for 2,581 students, just 5% live on campus. Most students commute from across the Skagit Valley region, where 96% of enrollment comes from in-state. You'll need a rain jacket more than sunscreen - this corner of Washington sees frequent drizzle and cool temperatures year-round.

The quarter system keeps academics moving quickly on the compact campus. With 57% women and 46% white students, the community college draws heavily from local Hispanic families who make up 29% of enrollment. Cardinals athletics fields 9 varsity sports with 148 total athletes, though weekend social life often centers around Mount Vernon's downtown or trips to nearby hiking trails in the North Cascades. The student-faculty ratio of 17:1 means professors know your name, especially important since this is primarily a transfer and workforce training institution. Many students work part-time jobs in the agricultural Skagit Valley while completing their studies.
Setting
City-Small
Housing Capacity
140 beds
Calendar System
Quarter
Study Abroad
Available

Campus Safety (2023)

7 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Burglary 3 1 0 0
Motor Vehicle Theft 2 0 0 0
Stalking 1 0 0 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
35°–46°F
July Avg
52°–73°F
Annual Precipitation
33.2"
Annual Snowfall
0.0"

Student Demographics

Skagit Valley College draws overwhelmingly from Washington state, with 96% of students calling the Pacific Northwest home. The student body reflects the changing demographics of the Skagit Valley, where Hispanic enrollment has grown to nearly 29% of all students. Women outnumber men by a significant margin, typical for community colleges that emphasize healthcare, education, and social services programs. About one in four students receives Pell Grants, indicating the college serves as an affordable pathway for working-class families seeking career training or university transfer opportunities.
Men
42.6%
Women
57.4%
White
45.6%
Black
2.1%
Hispanic
28.6%
Asian
3.9%
In-State Students
96.5%
Pell Grant Recipients
28.2%

Location

Mount Vernon sits in Washington's Skagit Valley, about 60 miles north of Seattle. The small city of roughly 35,000 residents anchors a fertile agricultural region known for tulip fields and berry farms. With 96.47% of students coming from in-state, Skagit Valley College draws heavily from the surrounding rural communities and nearby towns like Bellingham and Anacortes. The Cascade Mountains rise to the east while Puget Sound lies just west, giving the area a Pacific Northwest feel without urban density. The college's 140-bed housing capacity reflects the commuter nature of this community college. Students considering colleges in Washington may also compare Skagit Valley College with similar schools in the region.
Address
Mount Vernon, Washington 98273
Cardinal Building at Skagit Valley College
Cardinal Building at Skagit Valley College

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$43,505
Median Earnings (5 years)
$47,179
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$30,800
Loan Repayment Rate
44.4%
Monthly Loan Payment
$146/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,805

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Skagit Valley College?

Skagit Valley College maintains an open admission policy as a community college, welcoming students with a high school diploma or equivalent. The college serves 2,581 students and focuses on providing accessible education to the Skagit Valley region. Nearly all students are from Washington state, with 96.47% being in-state residents.

How much does Skagit Valley College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $6,116 annually at Skagit Valley College. The college keeps education affordable with in-state tuition at $5,620 and out-of-state tuition at $7,561. Low-income students benefit most, with those from families earning under $30,000 paying just $4,672 after aid.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Skagit Valley College?

The student-faculty ratio stands at 17:1, providing reasonable access to instructors for academic support. The college operates on a quarter system and emphasizes both workforce training and transfer programs. Students can choose from programs designed to prepare them for immediate employment or transfer to four-year universities.

What are the graduation rates and earnings outcomes at Skagit Valley College?

The six-year graduation rate is 33.60%, which reflects the diverse paths community college students take toward completion. Graduates earn a median salary of $43,505 ten years after enrollment, with an employment rate of 87.3%. Most students graduate with manageable debt, with a median of $13,805 and monthly loan payments of $146.

Does Skagit Valley College offer on-campus housing?

The college provides limited on-campus housing with capacity for just 140 students. Most of the 2,581 enrolled students commute from the surrounding Mount Vernon area and Skagit Valley region. Campus housing costs $9,650 for room and board, bringing the total cost of attendance to $16,230.

What athletic programs does Skagit Valley College offer?

The Cardinals compete in 9 varsity sports with 148 total student-athletes participating. The college awards $174,853 in athletic scholarships to support its athletic programs. As a community college, athletics serve as both a pathway for students to continue competing and an opportunity to transfer to four-year institutions.