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Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington

2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington

29 Schools Ranked
$6,118 Avg Tuition & Fees*

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. This report analyzed 29 schools in Washington to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for students. Factors related to overall quality of the school, post-graduation earnings, average student debt, and more accumulated were considered when coming up with this list.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Associate Degree Schools in Washington

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Bellevue College

Bellevue, Washington
1,378 Total Awards
$4,305 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Bellevue College to be the best school for students who want to pursue a associate degree in Washington. Bellevue College is a fairly large public school located in Bellevue, Washington that handed out 1,378 associate degrees in .

Students from Washington who attend BC full time pay an average of $4,305 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,183.

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#2

Columbia Basin College

Pasco, Washington
1,105 Total Awards
$6,194 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent associate degree programs at Columbia Basin College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Washington. CBC is located in Pasco, Washington and has a medium-sized student population. In , this school awarded 1,105 associate degrees to qualified students.

Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $6,194 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CBC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,239.

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#3

Highline College

Des Moines, Washington
782 Total Awards
$4,623 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Highline College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Highline is a medium-sized public school situated in Des Moines, Washington. It awarded 782 associate degrees in .

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Highline is $4,623. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,156.

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#4

Shoreline Community College

Shoreline, Washington
724 Total Awards
$4,388 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Shoreline Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Located in Shoreline, Washington, the small public school awarded 724 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in .

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Shoreline Community College is $4,388. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,430.

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#5

Centralia College

Centralia, Washington
354 Total Awards
$5,109 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Centralia College is a great place for students working on their associate degree. Centralia College is located in Centralia, Washington and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 354 associate degrees to qualified students.

In-state students pay an average of $5,109 in tuition and fees if they attend Centralia College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,643.

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#6

North Seattle College

Seattle, Washington
338 Total Awards
$5,058 Average Tuition & Fees

North Seattle College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Located in Seattle, Washington, the medium-sized public school handed out 338 associate degree awards in .

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at North Seattle is $5,058. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,547.

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#7

Clover Park Technical College

Lakewood, Washington
419 Total Awards
$6,634 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, Clover Park Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree. Located in Lakewood, Washington, the small public school handed out 419 associate degree awards in .

The average tuition and fees at CPTC is $6,634. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.

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#8

Clark College

Vancouver, Washington
1,161 Total Awards
$4,632 Average Tuition & Fees

Clark College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs. Clark College is a medium-sized public school situated in Vancouver, Washington. It awarded 1,161 associate degrees in .

In-state students pay an average of $4,632 in tuition and fees if they attend Clark College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,380.

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#9

Charter College

Anchorage, Alaska
245 Total Awards

Charter College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in Anchorage, Alaska, the small private for-profit school handed out 245 associate degree awards in .

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416 Total Awards
$5,156 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #10, Lake Washington Institute of Technology did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree. Located in Kirkland, Washington, the small public school handed out 416 associate degree awards in .

Students from Washington who attend LWTech full time pay an average of $5,156 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,017.

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#11

Olympic College

Bremerton, Washington
1,115 Total Awards
$4,472 Average Tuition & Fees

Olympic College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. OC is located in Bremerton, Washington and has a medium-sized student population. In , this school awarded 1,115 associate degrees to qualified students.

Students from Washington who attend OC full time pay an average of $4,472 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,740.

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#12

Tacoma Community College

Tacoma, Washington
959 Total Awards
$4,920 Average Tuition & Fees

Tacoma Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Located in Tacoma, Washington, the medium-sized public school awarded 959 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in .

In-state students pay an average of $4,920 in tuition and fees if they attend Tacoma Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,030.

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#13

Whatcom Community College

Bellingham, Washington
677 Total Awards
$5,146 Average Tuition & Fees

Whatcom Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Bellingham, Washington, the small public school handed out 677 associate degree awards in .

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Whatcom Community College is $5,146. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,096.

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#14

Bellingham Technical College

Bellingham, Washington
366 Total Awards
$4,226 Average Tuition & Fees

Bellingham Technical College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs. Bellingham, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 366 students in .

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute is $4,226. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,555.

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#15

Seattle Central College

Seattle, Washington
803 Total Awards
$5,058 Average Tuition & Fees

Seattle Central College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 803 students in .

In-state students pay an average of $5,058 in tuition and fees if they attend Seattle Central full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,547.

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#16

Everett Community College

Everett, Washington
1,163 Total Awards
$4,301 Average Tuition & Fees

Everett Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Everett Community College is located in Everett, Washington and has a medium-sized student population. In , this school awarded 1,163 associate degrees to qualified students.

In-state students pay an average of $4,301 in tuition and fees if they attend Everett Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,180.

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#17

Walla Walla Community College

Walla Walla, Washington
541 Total Awards

Walla Walla Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in Walla Walla, Washington, the small public school handed out 541 associate degree awards in .

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#18

Spokane Falls Community College

Spokane, Washington
874 Total Awards
$4,057 Average Tuition & Fees

Spokane Falls Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #18 on the list. This small public school is located in Spokane, Washington, and it awarded 874 associate degrees in .

Students from Washington who attend Spokane Falls Community College full time pay an average of $4,057 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,494.

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#19

Spokane Community College

Spokane, Washington
1,060 Total Awards
$4,057 Average Tuition & Fees

Spokane Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Spokane Community College is located in Spokane, Washington and has a medium-sized student population. In , this school awarded 1,060 associate degrees to qualified students.

Students from Washington who attend Spokane Community College full time pay an average of $4,057 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,494.

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#20

South Puget Sound Community College

Olympia, Washington
831 Total Awards
$5,103 Average Tuition & Fees

South Puget Sound Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. South Puget Sound Community College is a small public school situated in Olympia, Washington. It awarded 831 associate degrees in .

Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $5,103 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend South Puget Sound Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,637.

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#21

Wenatchee Valley College

Wenatchee, Washington
598 Total Awards
$5,118 Average Tuition & Fees

Wenatchee Valley College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. WVC is a public institution located in Wenatchee, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 598 associate degrees in .

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at WVC is $5,118. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,652.

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#22

Walla Walla University

College Place, Washington
20 Total Awards
$33,027 Average Tuition & Fees

Walla Walla University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Located in College Place, Washington, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 20 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in .

Walla Walla U does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $33,027. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.

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#23

Skagit Valley College

Mount Vernon, Washington
604 Total Awards
$5,620 Average Tuition & Fees

Skagit Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Skagit Valley College is a small public school located in Mount Vernon, Washington that handed out 604 associate degrees in .

In-state students pay an average of $5,620 in tuition and fees if they attend Skagit Valley College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,560.

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#24

Yakima Valley College

Yakima, Washington
610 Total Awards
$5,163 Average Tuition & Fees

Yakima Valley College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Located in Yakima, Washington, the small public school awarded 610 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in .

Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $5,163 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend YVC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,697.

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#25

Lower Columbia College

Longview, Washington
477 Total Awards
$4,346 Average Tuition & Fees

Lower Columbia College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Longview, Washington, the small public school awarded 477 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in .

In-state students pay an average of $4,346 in tuition and fees if they attend LCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,633.

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Best Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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