2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington
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.
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Top Associate Degree Schools in Washington
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Bellevue College to be the best school for students who want to pursue a associate degree in Washington.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at BC is $4,057. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,594. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,785 in student loans.
BC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 98% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 29 schools in Washington that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia Basin College landed the # 2 spot on the list.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $5,959 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CBC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,735. On average, associate degree students take out $16,312 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at CBC. In fact, around 89% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Highline College is a great place for students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,344 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Highline. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,813. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,827 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Highline. In 2019-2020 about 75% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 29 schools in Washington that were part of this year’s ranking, Shoreline Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list.
In-state students pay an average of $4,166 in tuition and fees if they attend Shoreline Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,013. On average, associate degree students take out $19,378 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Shoreline Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Centralia College is a great place for students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,770 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Centralia College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,239. On average, associate degree students take out $12,250 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Centralia College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 66% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
North Seattle College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking.
The average tuition and fees at North Seattle is $4,799. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from North Seattle accumulate an average of $17,214 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at North Seattle. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 71% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Clover Park Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #7 on the list.
If you want to attend CPTC, expect to pay an average of $5,740 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $16,485 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at CPTC. In 2019-2020 about 35% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Clark College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington list.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,529 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Clark College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,133. Associate Degree recipients from Clark College accumulate an average of $16,435 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Clark College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 97% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #9, Charter College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,112 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Charter College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 93% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
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.
In-state students pay an average of $4,609 in tuition and fees if they attend LWTech full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,146. Associate Degree recipients from LWTech accumulate an average of $18,212 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
LWTech does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 75% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #11, Olympic College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $4,101 in tuition and fees if they attend OC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,638. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,984 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at OC. In 2019-2020 about 83% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Tacoma Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington list.
Students from Washington who attend Tacoma Community College full time pay an average of $4,929 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,391. Associate Degree recipients from Tacoma Community College accumulate an average of $18,893 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Tacoma Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 85% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Whatcom Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington list.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,868 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Whatcom Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,473. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,808 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Whatcom Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.
Bellingham Technical College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington list.
In-state students pay an average of $4,004 in tuition and fees if they attend Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,227.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Seattle Central College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking.
The average tuition and fees at Seattle Central is $4,670. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,671 in student loans.
Seattle Central does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 69% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Everett Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Everett Community College is $4,062. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,597. Associate Degree recipients from Everett Community College accumulate an average of $14,889 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Everett Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 93% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Walla Walla Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington list.
On average, associate degree students take out $19,336 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Walla Walla Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 53% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Spokane Falls Community College is $3,826. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,135. Associate Degree recipients from Spokane Falls Community College accumulate an average of $17,225 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Spokane Falls Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 89% took at least some of their classes online.
Spokane Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $3,826 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Spokane Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,135. On average, associate degree students take out $19,615 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Spokane Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
South Puget Sound Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,795 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend South Puget Sound Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,428. On average, associate degree students take out $16,096 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since South Puget Sound Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #21, Wenatchee Valley College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,320 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend WVC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,734. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,116 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at WVC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 48% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Walla Walla University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
If you want to attend Walla Walla U, expect to pay an average of $30,531 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.
One thing to take note of is that Walla Walla U does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 93% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #23, Skagit Valley College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $4,431 in tuition and fees if they attend Skagit Valley College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,507. On average, associate degree students take out $14,784 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Skagit Valley College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 75% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Yakima Valley College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,883 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend YVC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,352. On average, associate degree students take out $16,170 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at YVC. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #25, Lower Columbia College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at LCC is $4,182. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,403. On average, associate degree students take out $15,286 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that LCC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
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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