Opened in 1966, it was immediately clear that Bellevue Community College was filling a void when nearly 300 students signed up for classes during the first two days of registration, with 50 people actually camping out overnight in to register. Construction of the school's permanent campus was completed in 1969, with additional buildings added as the college grew over the next few decades. Over the years, the growth of Bellevue Community College reflected community's evolution from a quiet, rural area to an ethnically diverse community with many residents employed in high-tech industries.
Bellevue College offers bachelor's degrees through the college itself and also in partnership with other Washington State universities. Two-year transfer associate degrees are also available for students wishing to pursue a bachelor of arts at another institution after earning a two-year degree at BC. The college also offers a variety of professional/technical degrees and certificates, some non-transfer degrees and degrees and certificates that can be obtained online. Programs of study run the gamut, with dozens of options from which to choose.
Bellevue College holds an accreditation as a baccalaureate degree-granting institution by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Higher Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Because BC is accredited, students who enroll can access federal funds for financial aid in addition to funds for research and support teaching. The accreditation process is ongoing, and Bellevue College's accreditation was reaffirmed in 2010.
As a regional community college, Bellevue College offers a wide variety of continuing education courses devoted to career enhancement, personal enrichment or professional development for students of all ages. Areas offered include art and design, business and professional development, computers and technology, health and medical, real estate, technical communication, translation and interpretation, travel and tourism and the study of various languages at BC's World Languages Institute.