News of a possible partnership — maybe a merger — between Bellevue College and Washington State University is good news for Bellevue residents. If it happens, it will make getting a high-quality education easier — and less expensive.

Bellevue College — no longer “just” a community college — has a well-deserved reputation for providing quality instruction for degrees that lead straight into well-paying jobs. WSU is one of the state’s major research universities and already has an association with BC through its online degree program.

As any parent knows, the cost of getting a college education has been rising precipitously over the past few years, not only from the cost of tuition, but also books and living expenses. Being able to better control the cost of at least one of those factors — not having to go away to school — can significantly lessen the concern of graduating college with a heavy debt.

Bellevue College has, for years, helped local students control costs by providing the first two years of a four-year education through an easy commute to the school’s Bellevue campus just off I-90. It’s worked. In the last year, 309 BC graduates were accepted to attend Washington State University in Pullman. In addition, 392 BC students were accepted to University of Washington’s main campus and 200 more to its Bothell campus.

There are lots of steps and discussions yet to come for both BC and WSU. What’s needed, of course, is a win-win situation for both schools. And, of course, for students as well.

— Craig Groshart, Bellevue Reporter