2023 Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Washington
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
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. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Our analysis looked at 29 schools in Washington to see which associate degree programs offered the best value experiences for students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Associate Degree Schools in Washington
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Bellevue College to be the best value school for students who want to pursue a associate degree in Washington. BC is a public institution located in Bellevue, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,220 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BC are $9,594 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,785 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at BC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 98% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
BC not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington list.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Shoreline Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Shoreline Community College is a small public school located in Shoreline, Washington that handed out 964 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Shoreline Community College are $7,013 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $19,378 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Shoreline Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Shoreline Community College also made our Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington list, coming in at #4.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Highline College is a great place for students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Des Moines, Washington, the small public school handed out 913 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Highline undergraduate students pay an average of $4,813 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,827 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Highline. During the 2019-2020 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Highline did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington list.
The excellent associate degree programs at Bellingham Technical College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value schools in Washington. This small public school is located in Bellingham, Washington, and it awarded 512 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute are $5,227 a year.
Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Olympic College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. OC is located in Bremerton, Washington and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,273 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at OC are $9,638 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,984 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that OC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 83% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Spokane Falls Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Spokane Falls Community College is located in Spokane, Washington and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,049 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Spokane Falls Community College are $5,135 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $17,225 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Spokane Falls Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 89% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Spokane Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree programs. Located in Spokane, Washington, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,121 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Spokane Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,135 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,615 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Spokane Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 65% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Centralia College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Centralia College is a small public school situated in Centralia, Washington. It awarded 441 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Centralia College are $5,239 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,250 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students 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.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Centralia College is ranked #5 for overall quality in Washington.
With a ranking of #9, Everett Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. Everett Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Everett, Washington. It awarded 1,421 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Everett Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,597 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,889 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Everett Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 93% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Clark College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Vancouver, Washington, and it awarded 1,611 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Clark College are $10,133 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,435 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Clark 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 97% took at least some of their classes online.
North Seattle College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 444 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at North Seattle are $4,799 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,214 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since North Seattle does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 71% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
North Seattle excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington list.
Lake Washington Institute of Technology ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. This small public school is located in Kirkland, Washington, and it awarded 498 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
LWTech undergraduate students pay an average of $10,146 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school 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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #13, Wenatchee Valley College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. Wenatchee, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 668 students in 2020-2021.
WVC undergraduate students pay an average of $4,734 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,116 in loans while pursuing their degree.
WVC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 48% took at least some of their classes online.
Seattle Central College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Located in Seattle, Washington, the small public school handed out 931 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Seattle Central are $4,670 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,671 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Seattle Central. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 69% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Lower Columbia College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #15 on the list. This small public school is located in Longview, Washington, and it awarded 544 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at LCC are $5,403 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,286 in student loans.
Online courses are available at LCC, 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 95% took at least some of their classes online.
Columbia Basin College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #16 on the list. Columbia Basin College is a medium-sized public school located in Pasco, Washington that handed out 1,394 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CBC are $7,735 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,312 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CBC does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 89% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
CBC not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #2 on our Best Associate Degree Schools in Washington list.
Whatcom Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. This small public school is located in Bellingham, Washington, and it awarded 833 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Whatcom Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,473 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $17,808 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Whatcom Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Tacoma Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. This medium-sized public school is located in Tacoma, Washington, and it awarded 1,099 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Tacoma Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,391 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $18,893 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Tacoma Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 85% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #19, Skagit Valley College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. Skagit Valley College is located in Mount Vernon, Washington and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 773 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Skagit Valley College are $7,507 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,784 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Skagit Valley College. In fact, around 75% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Walla Walla Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Walla Walla Community College is a small public school located in Walla Walla, Washington that handed out 637 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Walla Walla Community College are $6,350 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,336 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Walla Walla Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 53% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
South Puget Sound Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. South Puget Sound Community College is located in Olympia, Washington and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,246 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at South Puget Sound Community College are $10,428 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,096 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at South Puget Sound Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 88% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #22, Clover Park Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. Located in Lakewood, Washington, the small public school awarded 563 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CPTC are $5,740 a year. 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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 35% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Yakima Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #23 on the list. YVC is a public institution located in Yakima, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 783 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at YVC are $5,352 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,170 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at YVC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Big Bend Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Located in Moses Lake, Washington, the small public school handed out 452 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Big Bend Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,098 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $8,909 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Big Bend Community College. In fact, around 85% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Grays Harbor College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree programs. Located in Aberdeen, Washington, the small public school awarded 325 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at GHC are $10,040 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,310 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at GHC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 82% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Best Value 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
- 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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