2023 Best Value 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 Schools in Washington ranking. Our analysis looked at 46 schools in Washington to see which 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 Schools in Washington
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Bellevue College the best value school in Washington for students working on their degree. Bellevue, Washington is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,717 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at BC are $9,594 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,741 in student loans. During the early years of their career, BC graduates make an average of $53,966 annually.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, BC also is in the top 15% of our Best Schools in Washington ranking.
The excellent programs at Highline College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value schools in Washington. This small public school is located in Des Moines, Washington, and it awarded 1,083 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Highline are $4,813 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,827 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Highline graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,918 during the early year of their career.
Out of the 46 schools in Washington that were part of this year’s ranking, Olympic College landed the # 3 spot on the list. OC is a public institution located in Bremerton, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2,534 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at OC are $9,638 per year. On average, students take out $14,653 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, OC graduates make an average of $50,431 annually.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Seattle College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Schools in Washington list. Located in Seattle, Washington, the small public school handed out 1,044 degrees in 2020-2021.
North Seattle undergraduate students pay an average of $4,799 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $17,979 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, North Seattle graduates make an average of $52,851 annually.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Spokane Falls Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Schools in Washington list. This small public school is located in Spokane, Washington, and it awarded 1,209 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Spokane Falls Community College are $5,135 per year. On average, students take out $16,790 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Spokane Falls Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,050 during the early years of their career.
Centralia College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #6 on the list. Centralia College is located in Centralia, Washington and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 664 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Centralia College are $5,239 per year. On average, students take out $12,250 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Centralia College graduates make an average of $43,843 annually.
Spokane Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Washington ranking. Spokane Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Spokane, Washington. It awarded 2,020 degrees in 2020-2021.
Spokane Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,135 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $18,445 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Spokane Community College graduates make an average of $37,399 annually.
Bellingham Technical College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Washington list. Located in Bellingham, Washington, the small public school awarded 1,134 diplomas to qualifed students 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. Once they receive their degree, Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,075 during the early year of their career.
Lake Washington Institute of Technology ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Washington list. Lake Washington Institute of Technology is a small public school located in Kirkland, Washington that handed out 1,238 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LWTech are $10,146 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $18,538 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, LWTech graduates make an average of $51,320 annually.
Seattle Central College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Seattle Central is located in Seattle, Washington and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,319 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Seattle Central are $4,670 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,549 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Seattle Central graduates make an average of $56,258 annually.
Everett Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Everett, Washington, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,039 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Everett Community College are $9,597 a year. On average, students take out $16,056 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Everett Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,179 during the early years of their career.
Clark College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Washington ranking. Clark College is a public institution located in Vancouver, Washington. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,904 degrees in 2020-2021.
Clark College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,133 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,706 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Clark College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,720 during the early year of their career.
Wenatchee Valley College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. WVC is located in Wenatchee, Washington and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 830 degrees to qualified students.
WVC undergraduate students pay an average of $4,734 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,207 in student loans.After graduating from WVC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,404 during the early years of their career.
Lower Columbia College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Washington list. LCC is a public institution located in Longview, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 593 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 degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,726 in student loans.After graduating from LCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,229 during the early years of their career.
Whatcom Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #15 on the list. Whatcom Community College is a small public school located in Bellingham, Washington that handed out 1,343 degrees in 2020-2021.
Whatcom Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,473 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,808 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Whatcom Community College graduates make an average of $43,278 annually.
Tacoma Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Washington list. Tacoma Community College is a public institution located in Tacoma, Washington. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,736 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Tacoma Community College are $10,391 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $18,614 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Tacoma Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,924 during the early year of their career.
Skagit Valley College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Washington ranking. Skagit Valley College is located in Mount Vernon, Washington and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,289 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Skagit Valley College are $7,507 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,748 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Skagit Valley College graduates make an average of $37,360 annually.
Columbia Basin College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #18 on the list. Columbia Basin College is a medium-sized public school located in Pasco, Washington that handed out 1,778 degrees in 2020-2021.
CBC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,735 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $18,350 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, CBC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,655 during the early year of their career.
Walla Walla Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #19 on the list. This small public school is located in Walla Walla, Washington, and it awarded 967 degrees in 2020-2021.
Walla Walla Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,350 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $19,291 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Walla Walla Community College graduates make an average of $40,019 annually.
Yakima Valley College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Washington ranking. This small public school is located in Yakima, Washington, and it awarded 1,096 degrees in 2020-2021.
YVC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,352 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $16,839 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, YVC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,465 during the early year of their career.
Clover Park Technical College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Lakewood, Washington, the small public school handed out 1,769 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CPTC are $5,740 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,810 in student loans. During the early years of their career, CPTC graduates make an average of $41,883 annually.
Grays Harbor College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Washington list. GHC is a public institution located in Aberdeen, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 486 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at GHC are $10,040 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,285 in student loans. During the early years of their career, GHC graduates make an average of $44,936 annually.
Central Washington University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Washington ranking. Central Washington University is a fairly large public school located in Ellensburg, Washington that handed out 3,496 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CWU are $25,213 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,759 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $204, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, CWU graduates make an average of $39,823 annually.
Renton Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #24 on the list. Renton, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 894 students in 2020-2021.
Renton Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,131 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $19,632 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Renton Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $58,605 during the early year of their career.
Western Washington University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #25 on the list. Bellingham, Washington is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,975 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WWU are $25,930 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $20,477 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $259. During the early years of their career, WWU graduates make an average of $36,481 annually.
Best Value 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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