Best Community Colleges in Washington 2025

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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.

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.

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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?

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:

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!

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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

  1. Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    35%

    Student body

    12K

    Career Outlook for degree at Everett Community College

    Cost of Degree: $4,152
    Expenses: $20,949
    Starting Salary: $38,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Everett Community College known for?

    Everett Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  2. #2

    Bellevue College

    Bellevue , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    17K

    Career Outlook for degree at Bellevue College

    Cost of Degree: $4,159
    Expenses: $22,116
    Starting Salary: $49,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Bellevue College known for?

    Bellevue College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  3. Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    28%

    Student body

    8K

    Career Outlook for degree at Columbia Basin College

    Cost of Degree: $5,959
    Expenses: $13,527
    Starting Salary: $39,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Columbia Basin College known for?

    Columbia Basin College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  4. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    25%

    Student body

    7K

    Career Outlook for degree at Seattle Central College

    Cost of Degree: $4,865
    Starting Salary: $37,000
    What is Seattle Central College known for?

    Seattle Central College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  5. #5

    Highline College

    Des Moines , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    40%

    Student body

    7K

    Career Outlook for degree at Highline College

    Cost of Degree: $4,458
    Expenses: $16,824
    Starting Salary: $40,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Highline College known for?

    Highline College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  6. Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    29%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Spokane Falls Community College

    Cost of Degree: $3,928
    Starting Salary: $34,900
    What is Spokane Falls Community College known for?

    Spokane Falls Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  7. #7

    Wenatchee Valley College

    Wenatchee , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for degree at Wenatchee Valley College

    Cost of Degree: $4,968
    Expenses: $14,186
    Starting Salary: $36,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Wenatchee Valley College known for?

    Wenatchee Valley College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  8. #8

    Olympic College

    Bremerton , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    7K

    Career Outlook for degree at Olympic College

    Cost of Degree: $4,472
    Expenses: $16,050
    Starting Salary: $38,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Olympic College known for?

    Olympic College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  9. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    40%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for degree at Bates Technical College

    Cost of Degree: $5,361
    Starting Salary: $43,300
    What is Bates Technical College known for?

    Bates Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  10. Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    35%

    Student body

    10K

    Career Outlook for degree at Spokane Community College

    Cost of Degree: $3,928
    Starting Salary: $37,200
    What is Spokane Community College known for?

    Spokane Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  11. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    33%

    Student body

    8K

    Career Outlook for degree at Tacoma Community College

    Cost of Degree: $4,901
    Starting Salary: $40,700
    What is Tacoma Community College known for?

    Tacoma Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  12. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for degree at South Puget Sound Community College

    Cost of Degree: $4,938
    Starting Salary: $34,400
    What is South Puget Sound Community College known for?

    South Puget Sound Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  13. Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    29%

    Student body

    7K

    Career Outlook for degree at Shoreline Community College

    Cost of Degree: $4,256
    Expenses: $22,794
    Starting Salary: $46,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Shoreline Community College known for?

    Shoreline Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  14. #14

    Peninsula College

    Port Angeles , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Peninsula College

    Cost of Degree: $4,439
    Starting Salary: $33,100
    What is Peninsula College known for?

    Peninsula College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  15. #15

    Charter College

    Vancouver , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $17K

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for degree at Charter College

    Cost of Degree: $16,784
    Starting Salary: $46,400
    What is Charter College known for?

    Charter College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  16. #16

    Northwest Indian College

    Bellingham , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Northwest Indian College

    Cost of Degree: $3,969
    Expenses: $9,982
    Starting Salary: $29,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Northwest Indian College known for?

    Northwest Indian College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  17. Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Clover Park Technical College

    Cost of Degree: $5,979
    Starting Salary: $37,900
    What is Clover Park Technical College known for?

    Clover Park Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  18. #18

    Clark College

    Vancouver , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    10K

    Career Outlook for degree at Clark College

    Cost of Degree: $4,529
    Starting Salary: $38,100
    What is Clark College known for?

    Clark College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  19. #19

    Skagit Valley College

    Mount Vernon , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    34%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for degree at Skagit Valley College

    Cost of Degree: $4,748
    Expenses: $13,610
    Starting Salary: $36,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Skagit Valley College known for?

    Skagit Valley College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  20. #20

    Edmonds College

    Lynnwood , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    10K

    Career Outlook for degree at Edmonds College

    Cost of Degree: $4,309
    Expenses: $15,438
    Starting Salary: $42,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Edmonds College known for?

    Edmonds College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  21. #21

    Green River College

    Auburn , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    9K

    Career Outlook for degree at Green River College

    Cost of Degree: $4,434
    Starting Salary: $42,000
    What is Green River College known for?

    Green River College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  22. #22

    North Seattle College

    Seattle , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    28%

    Student body

    8K

    Career Outlook for degree at North Seattle College

    Cost of Degree: $5,058
    Starting Salary: $43,200
    What is North Seattle College known for?

    North Seattle College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  23. #23

    Big Bend Community College

    Moses Lake , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    40%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Big Bend Community College

    Cost of Degree: $4,744
    Expenses: $22,389
    Starting Salary: $38,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Big Bend Community College known for?

    Big Bend Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  24. #24

    Centralia College

    Centralia , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Centralia College

    Cost of Degree: $4,891
    Expenses: $20,982
    Starting Salary: $35,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Centralia College known for?

    Centralia College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  25. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for degree at Lake Washington Institute of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $4,710
    Starting Salary: $47,200
    What is Lake Washington Institute of Technology known for?

    Lake Washington Institute of Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  26. #26

    South Seattle College

    Seattle , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    34%

    Student body

    8K

    Career Outlook for degree at South Seattle College

    Cost of Degree: $4,865
    Starting Salary: $43,600
    What is South Seattle College known for?

    South Seattle College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  27. #27

    Yakima Valley College

    Yakima , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Yakima Valley College

    Cost of Degree: $4,998
    Expenses: $13,067
    Starting Salary: $36,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Yakima Valley College known for?

    Yakima Valley College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  28. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Walla Walla Community College

    Cost of Degree: $4,965
    Starting Salary: $38,800
    What is Walla Walla Community College known for?

    Walla Walla Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  29. #29

    Lower Columbia College

    Longview , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    26%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Lower Columbia College

    Cost of Degree: $4,261
    Starting Salary: $34,900
    What is Lower Columbia College known for?

    Lower Columbia College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  30. #30

    Whatcom Community College

    Bellingham , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Whatcom Community College

    Cost of Degree: $4,982
    Expenses: $22,389
    Starting Salary: $38,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Whatcom Community College known for?

    Whatcom Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  31. #31

    Grays Harbor College

    Aberdeen , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Grays Harbor College

    Cost of Degree: $4,605
    Starting Salary: $32,400
    What is Grays Harbor College known for?

    Grays Harbor College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  32. Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Bellingham Technical College

    Cost of Degree: $4,095
    Starting Salary: $48,100
    What is Bellingham Technical College known for?

    Bellingham Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  33. Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Renton Technical College

    Cost of Degree: $5,784
    Starting Salary: $43,000
    What 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.

  1. Bates Technical College
  2. South Puget Sound Community College
  3. Shoreline Community College
  4. Big Bend Community College
  5. Everett Community College
  6. Walla Walla Community College
  7. Lower Columbia College
  8. Northwest Indian College
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