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Best Basic Certificate Schools in Washington

2023 Best Basic Certificate Schools in Washington

26 Schools Ranked
$5,645 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 Basic Certificate Schools in Washington ranking. Our analysis looked at 26 schools in Washington to see which basic certificate programs offered the best educational experiences 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 Basic Certificate Schools in Washington

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

North Seattle College

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

Our 2023 rankings named North Seattle College the best school in Washington for students working on their basic certificate. North Seattle is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 342 basic certificates in .

Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $5,058 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend North Seattle. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,547.

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#2

Bellevue College

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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Bellevue College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Schools in Washington list. BC is a public institution located in Bellevue, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 166 basic certificates in .

Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,305 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend BC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,183.

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#3

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
226 Total Awards
$12,997 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Washington State University is a great place for students working on their basic certificate. Located in Pullman, Washington, the large public school awarded 226 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in .

In-state students pay an average of $12,997 in tuition and fees if they attend Wazzu full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $29,073.

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#4

Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington
44 Total Awards
$9,286 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at Western Washington University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Washington. Bellingham, Washington is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 44 students in .

In-state students pay an average of $9,286 in tuition and fees if they attend WWU full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $27,853.

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#5

Olympic College

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Olympic College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Basic Certificate Schools in Washington list. Olympic College is a medium-sized public school located in Bremerton, Washington that handed out 600 basic certificates in .

Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,472 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend OC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,740.

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#6

Centralia College

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

Centralia College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Schools in Washington list. Centralia College is located in Centralia, Washington and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 95 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Centralia College is $5,109. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,643.

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#7

Seattle Central College

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

Seattle Central College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Seattle, Washington, the medium-sized public school awarded 75 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in .

Students from Washington who attend Seattle Central full time pay an average of $5,058 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,547.

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#8

Eastern Washington University

Cheney, Washington
98 Total Awards
$8,353 Average Tuition & Fees

Eastern Washington University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Schools in Washington list. Located in Cheney, Washington, the fairly large public school awarded 98 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in .

Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $8,353 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend EWU. Out-of-state students pay an average of $25,892.

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#9

Clover Park Technical College

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

Clover Park Technical College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Schools in Washington ranking. CPTC is a public institution located in Lakewood, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 113 basic certificates in .

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,634 to cover tuition and fees at CPTC. The school does not offer an in-state discount.

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#10

Tacoma Community College

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

Tacoma Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Schools in Washington list. Tacoma Community College is located in Tacoma, Washington and has a medium-sized student population. In , this school awarded 593 basic certificates to qualified students.

Students from Washington who attend Tacoma Community College full time pay an average of $4,920 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,030.

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#11

Spokane Falls Community College

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

Spokane Falls Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Schools in Washington ranking. Spokane, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 200 students in .

In-state students pay an average of $4,057 in tuition and fees if they attend Spokane Falls Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,494.

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#12

Skagit Valley College

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

Skagit Valley College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate programs. Skagit Valley College is a small public school situated in Mount Vernon, Washington. It awarded 231 basic certificates in .

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Skagit Valley College is $5,620. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,560.

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#13

Bellingham Technical College

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

With a ranking of #13, Bellingham Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their basic certificate. Located in Bellingham, Washington, the small public school awarded 229 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate 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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#14

Spokane Community College

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

Spokane Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate programs. Spokane Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Spokane, Washington that handed out 577 basic certificates in .

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Spokane Community College is $4,057. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,494.

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#15

Whatcom Community College

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

Whatcom Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Schools in Washington list. Whatcom Community College is a public institution located in Bellingham, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 239 basic certificates in .

Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $5,146 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Whatcom Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,096.

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465 Total Awards
$5,156 Average Tuition & Fees

Lake Washington Institute of Technology ranked #16 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Schools in Washington list. This small public school is located in Kirkland, Washington, and it awarded 465 basic certificates in .

In-state students pay an average of $5,156 in tuition and fees if they attend LWTech full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,017.

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#17

Columbia Basin College

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

Columbia Basin College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Pasco, Washington, the medium-sized public school handed out 164 basic certificate awards in .

In-state students pay an average of $6,194 in tuition and fees if they attend CBC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,239.

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#18

Big Bend Community College

Moses Lake, Washington
234 Total Awards
$4,909 Average Tuition & Fees

Big Bend Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate programs. Big Bend Community College is located in Moses Lake, Washington and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 234 basic certificates to qualified students.

Students from Washington who attend Big Bend Community College full time pay an average of $4,909 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,443.

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#19

Walla Walla Community College

Walla Walla, Washington
154 Total Awards

Walla Walla Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Schools in Washington list. Walla Walla, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 154 students in .

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#20

Renton Technical College

Renton, Washington
228 Total Awards
$6,723 Average Tuition & Fees

Renton Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #20 on the list. Renton Technical College is a small public school situated in Renton, Washington. It awarded 228 basic certificates in .

In-state students pay an average of $6,723 in tuition and fees if they attend Renton Technical College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,257.

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#21

Clark College

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

Clark College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Schools in Washington list. Clark College is located in Vancouver, Washington and has a medium-sized student population. In , this school awarded 133 basic certificates to qualified students.

Students from Washington who attend Clark College full time pay an average of $4,632 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,380.

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#22

Everett Community College

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

Everett Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Schools in Washington ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Everett, Washington, and it awarded 440 basic certificates in .

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

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#23

Yakima Valley College

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

With a ranking of #23, Yakima Valley College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their basic certificate. Yakima Valley College is a small public school located in Yakima, Washington that handed out 159 basic certificates in .

In-state students pay an average of $5,163 in tuition and fees if they attend YVC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,697.

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#24

Grays Harbor College

Aberdeen, Washington
72 Total Awards
$4,751 Average Tuition & Fees

Grays Harbor College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #24 on the list. GHC is located in Aberdeen, Washington and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 72 basic certificates to qualified students.

Students from Washington who attend GHC full time pay an average of $4,751 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,629.

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#25

Lower Columbia College

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

Lower Columbia College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate programs. Lower Columbia College is a small public school located in Longview, Washington that handed out 31 basic certificates in .

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at LCC is $4,346. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,633.

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Best Basic Certificate 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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