Best Community Colleges in Washington 2025
The top-rated community colleges in Washington offer a broad selection of associate’s degrees, affordable tuition rates, and strong partnerships with public four-year schools so that students can easily transfer their credits into accredited bachelor’s degree programs.
Key Takeaways
- The best community colleges in Washington are the result of decades of commitment to world-class higher education. From the beginning of their establishment, these institutions were dedicated to human development through education.
- Choosing the best community colleges in Washington primarily involved the determination of overall influence and impact made by their faculty members on academia, industry, and society. Algorithms were considered but qualitative factors were also taken into account in the selection.
- The best community and technical colleges in Washington put college education where and when its citizens and residents want it through affordable tuition, excellent distance education programs, and student support services.
10 Best Community Colleges in Washington in 2025
2025 Ranking Update
Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.
In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the best community colleges in Washington saw a large amount of shuffling. Tacoma Community College gained the most ranking positions due to the opening of the Technology and Innovation Hub, which features advanced labs for IT, cybersecurity, and digital media, providing students with cutting-edge tools for hands-on learning. The college has also expanded its healthcare programs, adding new simulation labs for nursing and allied health fields, ensuring students receive practical, real-world training. Additionally, Tacoma Community College has enhanced its student services with the launch of a comprehensive mental health and wellness center, offering counseling, wellness coaching, and stress management resources. The college has also strengthened its partnerships with local industries, creating more internship and job placement opportunities for students, making it an attractive choice for those seeking career readiness.
Colleges and Universities in Washington
Of the 40 public options, the University of Washington in Seattle is the largest. Roughly 40,000 students attend classes in fields like nursing, education, biology, and computer science. This public research institution is also affordable, charging about $11,000 for tuition. In fact, none of the public schools in Washington exceed $12,000 in price. This includes community colleges, technical colleges, and four-year universities, making Washington a uniquely affordable place to earn your associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.
Find college admissions consultants in your state.
Washington also has 24 private institutions. Of those, nine are religious. The most widely known of these, Catholic university Gonzaga enrolls roughly 7,000 students, at a cost of $40,000, in areas such as religious studies, engineering, and law. Central Washington University (CWU) is a smaller public school, serving just over 12,000 students, and has a tuition of $8,000. With 15% of its population being Hispanic, CWU is now recognized as an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution. Washington health professions also have the opportunity to receive funding for loan repayment through Washington’s Health Professional Loan Repayment Program.
Set in the Pacific Northwest, Washington offers ocean beaches and lush forests. In fact, over half the state is covered in forests, earning Washington its nickname as The Evergreen State. Viewers atop the Space Needle in Seattle can take in the sights of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and both the Cascades and Olympic mountain ranges. In addition, prospective students can choose from over 60 higher education institutions in the state.
Check out the top higher education programs and find an affordable degree in Washington.
What are Washington’s Colleges & Universities?
- 5 Research Universities
- 42 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 8 Graduate Schools
- 32 Public Colleges & Universities
- 15 Private Colleges & Universities
- 8 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 27 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 35 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 33 Community Colleges
- Best Online Colleges
Washington’s Best Overall
Why Washington’s Colleges Are Excellent Options
The best community colleges in Washington are part of the 34-strong Washington Community and Technical Colleges system. In general, the system specializes in vocational and technical education as well as in university transfer and worker retraining programs. Most of these community and technical colleges offer associate degree and certificate programs, but some also offer bachelor’s degree programs.
History of the Washington Community and Technical Colleges System
The Community College Act of 1967, enacted into law on 3 April 1967, established the Washington State Community College system. The Act opened doors of opportunity for high school students who wanted to pursue a college education but wouldn’t have been able to access it in four-year colleges and universities.
But Centralia Junior College preceded the Act when it was established as the first state community college in Washington in 1925. By 1945, there were 12 community colleges in Washington, all of which were component units of their respective K-12 school districts.
The Act changed the structure of these community colleges by transferring authority to the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges over their overall administration. The State Board provides the 34 member community colleges with a wide range of services, from leadership programs to information technology services.
Current Status of the Washington Community and Technical Colleges System
Nowadays, many of the community colleges in the Washington system are recognized as among the best community colleges by national education experts! Pierce College was awarded the Leah Meyer Austin Award for its education reforms while Walla Walla Community College was recognized with the Aspen Institute Prize for Excellence.
Of the 34 community colleges, Bellevue College is the largest college in the system. Overall, the Washington Community and Technical Colleges system has served millions of students—and counting.
Every year, around 262,000 students are enrolled in the educational and workforce training programs in the community and technical colleges.
A few of these 34 Washington community colleges include:
- Bates Technical College
- Bellevue College
- Big Bend Community College
- Cascadia College
- Clark College
- Columbia Basin College
- Spokane Community College
While each community college has its specific mission and vision, the overall mission of the Washington Community and Technical Colleges system is to provide all kinds of students with affordable and accessible education and workforce training. With its robust partnerships with educational institutions, local businesses, and communities, it provides learners with viable career and job pathways.
Higher Education Where and When You Want It
Many of the 34 community colleges and their branch campuses offer on-campus and online classes and programs. All offer associate degree programs in a wide range of disciplines, from liberal arts to health sciences.
Bachelor’s degree programs are also offered in some of the community colleges, particularly at Bellevue College, in disciplines like applied accounting, computer science, and molecular biosciences.
Full-time students pay about $4,300 in tution, the most affordable in Washington, but can access financial aid to make education even more accessible. Financial aid opportunities include federal and state financial aid, Early Achievers Grant, and Opportunity Grant.
Prospective students must check the official website of the community college they are interested in since admissions and programs requirements vary. Community college students have full access to the student support services including:
- Academic advising and tutoring
- Bookstores and libraries
- Career planning and job search assistance including internships
- Disability resources
- eLearning for distance education students
Indeed, now is the best time to check out the programs and opportunities that the best community colleges in Washington have to offer—and there are plenty!
We’ve identified 33 community colleges in Washington. The following list shows the best community colleges and primarily associate degree granting colleges in Washington.
Best Community Colleges in Washington
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
35%
Student body
12K
Career Outlook for degree at Everett Community College
Cost of Degree: $4,152Expenses: $20,949Starting Salary: $38,600Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Everett Community College known for?
Everett Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
30%
Student body
17K
Career Outlook for degree at Bellevue College
Cost of Degree: $4,159Expenses: $22,116Starting Salary: $49,900Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Bellevue College known for?
Bellevue College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
28%
Student body
8K
Career Outlook for degree at Columbia Basin College
Cost of Degree: $5,959Expenses: $13,527Starting Salary: $39,400Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Columbia Basin College known for?
Columbia Basin College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
25%
Student body
7K
Career Outlook for degree at Seattle Central College
Cost of Degree: $4,865Starting Salary: $37,000What is Seattle Central College known for?
Seattle Central College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
40%
Student body
7K
Career Outlook for degree at Highline College
Cost of Degree: $4,458Expenses: $16,824Starting Salary: $40,900Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Highline College known for?
Highline College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
29%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Spokane Falls Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,928Starting Salary: $34,900What is Spokane Falls Community College known for?
Spokane Falls Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
38%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Wenatchee Valley College
Cost of Degree: $4,968Expenses: $14,186Starting Salary: $36,700Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Wenatchee Valley College known for?
Wenatchee Valley College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
31%
Student body
7K
Career Outlook for degree at Olympic College
Cost of Degree: $4,472Expenses: $16,050Starting Salary: $38,000Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Olympic College known for?
Olympic College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
40%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at Bates Technical College
Cost of Degree: $5,361Starting Salary: $43,300What is Bates Technical College known for?
Bates Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
35%
Student body
10K
Career Outlook for degree at Spokane Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,928Starting Salary: $37,200What is Spokane Community College known for?
Spokane Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
33%
Student body
8K
Career Outlook for degree at Tacoma Community College
Cost of Degree: $4,901Starting Salary: $40,700What is Tacoma Community College known for?
Tacoma Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
44%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at South Puget Sound Community College
Cost of Degree: $4,938Starting Salary: $34,400What is South Puget Sound Community College known for?
South Puget Sound Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
29%
Student body
7K
Career Outlook for degree at Shoreline Community College
Cost of Degree: $4,256Expenses: $22,794Starting Salary: $46,500Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Shoreline Community College known for?
Shoreline Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
42%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Peninsula College
Cost of Degree: $4,439Starting Salary: $33,100What is Peninsula College known for?
Peninsula College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$17K
Graduation
55%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Charter College
Cost of Degree: $16,784Starting Salary: $46,400What is Charter College known for?
Charter College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
27%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Northwest Indian College
Cost of Degree: $3,969Expenses: $9,982Starting Salary: $29,100Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Northwest Indian College known for?
Northwest Indian College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
45%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Clover Park Technical College
Cost of Degree: $5,979Starting Salary: $37,900What is Clover Park Technical College known for?
Clover Park Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Washington #4 Best Online Associate Degrees in Washington 2025 #10 Best Online Colleges in Washington 2024
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
39%
Student body
10K
Career Outlook for degree at Clark College
Cost of Degree: $4,529Starting Salary: $38,100What is Clark College known for?
Clark College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
34%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at Skagit Valley College
Cost of Degree: $4,748Expenses: $13,610Starting Salary: $36,100Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Skagit Valley College known for?
Skagit Valley College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
30%
Student body
10K
Career Outlook for degree at Edmonds College
Cost of Degree: $4,309Expenses: $15,438Starting Salary: $42,900Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Edmonds College known for?
Edmonds College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
41%
Student body
9K
Career Outlook for degree at Green River College
Cost of Degree: $4,434Starting Salary: $42,000What is Green River College known for?
Green River College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
28%
Student body
8K
Career Outlook for degree at North Seattle College
Cost of Degree: $5,058Starting Salary: $43,200What is North Seattle College known for?
North Seattle College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
40%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Big Bend Community College
Cost of Degree: $4,744Expenses: $22,389Starting Salary: $38,200Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Big Bend Community College known for?
Big Bend Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
44%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Centralia College
Cost of Degree: $4,891Expenses: $20,982Starting Salary: $35,400Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Centralia College known for?
Centralia College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
44%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Cost of Degree: $4,710Starting Salary: $47,200What is Lake Washington Institute of Technology known for?
Lake Washington Institute of Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
34%
Student body
8K
Career Outlook for degree at South Seattle College
Cost of Degree: $4,865Starting Salary: $43,600What is South Seattle College known for?
South Seattle College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
27%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Yakima Valley College
Cost of Degree: $4,998Expenses: $13,067Starting Salary: $36,800Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Yakima Valley College known for?
Yakima Valley College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
43%
Student body
5K
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
26%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Lower Columbia College
Cost of Degree: $4,261Starting Salary: $34,900What is Lower Columbia College known for?
Lower Columbia College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
42%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Whatcom Community College
Cost of Degree: $4,982Expenses: $22,389Starting Salary: $38,400Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Whatcom Community College known for?
Whatcom Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
39%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Grays Harbor College
Cost of Degree: $4,605Starting Salary: $32,400What is Grays Harbor College known for?
Grays Harbor College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
31%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Bellingham Technical College
Cost of Degree: $4,095Starting Salary: $48,100What is Bellingham Technical College known for?
Bellingham Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
60%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Renton Technical College
Cost of Degree: $5,784Starting Salary: $43,000What is Renton Technical College known for?
Renton Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
2021 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.