Big Bend Community College

7662 Chanute St NE
Moses Lake, WA 98837
Top Ranked (2024-25): View Rankings
  • The mission of Big Bend Community College is to serve the educational needs of a diverse population throughout its service district. As a comprehensive two-year community college, the institution works with its partners to provide a variety of educational opportunities, including courses and training for university and college transfer, occupational and technical programs, basic skills and developmental education, community and continuing education, pre-employment and customized training for local business and industry and support services for students.

School Highlights

Big Bend Community College serves 1,778 students (71% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 8:1 is lower than the state community college average of 11:1.
Minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 90%.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 1,778 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,150
  • Out-state tuition: $4,550
  • Student:teacher ratio: 8:1
  • Minority enrollment: 96%
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Big Bend Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Washington for:

School Overview

The teacher population of 214 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Big Bend Community College
(WA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
Four or more years
Four or more years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
214 staff
353 staff
This chart displays total faculty of Big Bend Community College and community college average number of faculty in Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Big Bend Community College has declined by 16% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 8:1 has decreased from 10:1 over five years.
The Big Bend Community College diversity score of 0.62 is less than the state average of 0.73. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
1,778 students
3,720 students
This chart displays the total enrollment of Big Bend Community College and community college average number of enrollment of Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
11:1
This chart displays the student staff ratio of Big Bend Community College and community college average student staff ratio of Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
1,262 students
1,814 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Big Bend Community College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
516 students
1,906 students
This chart displays the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Big Bend Community College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
This chart displays the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Big Bend Community College.
This chart displays community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of Washington.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
175 students
384 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,262 students
1,814 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Big Bend Community College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
11 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
516 students
1,906 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
200 students
140 students
This chart displays the dormitory capacity of Big Bend Community College and the community college average dormitory capacity of Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% American Indian/Alaskan
2%
8%
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Big Bend Community College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Asian
1%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Big Bend Community College and the percentage of Asian community college students in Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hispanic
n/a
1%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Big Bend Community College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in Washington by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
% Black
38%
15%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Big Bend Community College and the percentage of Black community college students in Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% White
4%
10%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Big Bend Community College and the percentage of White community college students in Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hawaiian
48%
46%
This chart displays the percentage of Hawaiian students in Big Bend Community College and the percentage of Hawaiian community college students in Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Two or more races
7%
11%
This chart displays the percentage of Two or more races students in Big Bend Community College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Non Resident races
n/a
n/a
This chart displays the percentage of Non Resident students in Big Bend Community College and the percentage of Non Resident community college students in Washington by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
% Unknown races
n/a
4%
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Big Bend Community College.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Washington.
Diversity Score
0.62
0.73
This chart displays the diversity score of Big Bend Community College and the community college average diversity score of Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
37%
0.6947%
This chart displays completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Big Bend Community College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
0.3792%
0.3575%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$37,900
$36,400
This chart displays average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Big Bend Community College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Washington by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $4,150 is more than the state average of $4,105. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $4,550 is less than the state average of $7,359. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$4,150
$4,105
This chart displays tuition fees for an in-state student of Big Bend Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$4,550
$7,359
This chart displays tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Big Bend Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
70%
58%
This chart displays the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Big Bend Community College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$10,505
$11,794
This chart displays median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Big Bend Community College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$6,292
$6,292
This chart displays median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Big Bend Community College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
100%
Source: 2023 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • BBCC is one of the smallest community colleges in Washington State, yet it serves one of the largest rural districts of 4,600 square miles. The service district includes all of Grant and Adams Counties and the Odessa School District in Lincoln County. Big Bend Community College was authorized by the Washington State Board of Education in 1961. Beginning fall quarter 1962 BBCC held its first regular classes at night in Moses Lake High School. The college opened classes in a new facility located a short distance southeast of the city of Moses Lake fall quarter 1963. In 1966, BBCC acquired a 159-acre tract of land on the former Larson Air Force Base, which became the permanent college campus for all programs in 1975. Since 1962 our six-fold mission of college transfer, vocational and developmental education, community service/continuing education, business and industry partnerships, and student support services has provided the environment for their success. BBCC offers the Associate in Arts and Science (AA&S) DirectTransfer Agreement (DTA) degree, the Associate in Science (AS) degree, the Associate in Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP (Major Ready Pathway) degree, the Associate in Applied Science-Transfer (AAS-T) degree, the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree, the Associate in General Studies (AGS) degree and the Certificates of Achievement and Accomplishment. Big Bend Community College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Its transfer credits are normally accepted by other accredited colleges.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Big Bend Community College cost?
Big Bend Community College's tuition is approximately $4,150 for In-State students and $4,550 for Out-State students.
What is Big Bend Community College's ranking?
Big Bend Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Washington for: Least expensive tuition, Average community college minority breakdown and Highest completion rates.

Recent Articles

What are Community Colleges Doing with Labor Department Grants?
What are Community Colleges Doing with Labor Department Grants?
The article explores how community colleges are utilizing Labor Department grants, particularly the TAACCCT program, to develop workforce training programs. It highlights various initiatives across different states, focusing on industry-specific training and skill development in emerging sectors.
For-Profit Universities Looking to Partner with Community Colleges
For-Profit Universities Looking to Partner with Community Colleges
This article examines the trend of for-profit universities, particularly the University of Phoenix, seeking partnerships with community colleges. It discusses the potential benefits and controversies surrounding these collaborations, focusing on transfer agreements and workforce training programs.
New Analysis Shows How California Community Colleges Could Cut Millions in Spending
New Analysis Shows How California Community Colleges Could Cut Millions in Spending
The article discusses a California Watch analysis revealing potential savings in California's community college system through administrative consolidation. It explores the implications of such cost-cutting measures and the challenges in implementing them within the state's education system.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 1,778 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,150
  • Out-state tuition: $4,550
  • Student:teacher ratio: 8:1
  • Minority enrollment: 96%
  • Source: Verified school update

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For Washington public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $4,105 per year for in-state students and $7,359 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $19,532 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in Washington is 96%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

Washington community colleges have a diversity score of 0.73, which is lower than the national average of 0.75. The most diverse community college in Washington is Highline College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

Quick Links