Head-to-head · 2026
Bellevue College vs Tacoma Community College
Compare average net price ($11,430 at Bellevue College; $8,376 at Tacoma Community College), ROI score (12.32 vs 14.08), ten-year median earnings ($56,310 vs $47,168), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Bellevue College; Open / not reported at Tacoma Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. Bellevue College has a narrow 3-2 metric-level edge. Tacoma Community College leads on ROI, but the cost and earnings signals are split enough that this is not a one-metric decision.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | Bellevue College | Tacoma Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 12.32 | 14.08 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $11,430 | $8,376 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $56,310 ✓ | $47,168 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 35.8% ✓ | 31.5% |
| Median debt | $12,375 ✓ | $13,000 |
| Enrollment | 7,364 | 4,668 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 3 | 2 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Bellevue College costs $3,054 more per year than Tacoma Community College ($11,430 vs $8,376). Bellevue College graduates report $9,142 higher median earnings after ten years ($56,310 vs $47,168). On EduGradify's model that puts Tacoma Community College ahead on projected ROI (14.08 vs 12.32, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Tacoma Community College) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
Bellevue College vs Tacoma Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Bellevue College or Tacoma Community College the better value?
Tacoma Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (14.08 vs 12.32), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Tacoma Community College is cheaper — average net price $8,376 per year vs $11,430 at Bellevue College. The annual difference of $3,054 adds up to about $12,216 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Bellevue College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $56,310 vs $47,168 at Tacoma Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $9,142.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. Bellevue College reports a A value grade; Tacoma Community College reports A.