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The 10 Cheapest Colleges in Washington
What’s Covered:
- Most Affordable Colleges in Washington
- Tips for Saving Money on College
- How Much Will You Pay for College?
Calling all Washington residents! If you call the Evergreen State home and want to advance your education, you don’t need to go into debt to do it. You can attend college right in your backyard—at a cost-effective price.
Most Affordable Colleges in Washington
1. Olympic College
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $4,197/$9,740
Location: Bremerton, WA
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,413
Olympic College (OC) provides flexible class formats and schedules to ensure that students have maximum access to a model that supports their needs. Established in 1946, today, the public community college offers five bachelor’s degrees:
- Behavioral Healthcare
- Computer Science
- Filmmaking
- Information Systems
- Nursing
- Organizational Leadership
OC also offers a number of associate degrees and professional/technical certificates.
Learn more about Olympic College and what it takes to get accepted.
2. Northwest Indian College
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $4,365/$4,365
Location: Bellingham, WA
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 696
Primarily serving the educational and training needs of Pacific Northwest Tribes and their people, Northwest Indian College (NWIC) offers a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and associate degrees.
The college has a diverse student body, with over 75% of students from federally recognized Indian tribes and more than 90 Tribal nations represented on campus. The main campus is located on the Lummi Indian Reservation, and the school is the only accredited tribal college serving Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
Learn more about Northwest Indian College and what it takes to get accepted.
3. Bellevue College
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $4,436/$10,502
Location: Bellevue, WA
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 11,472
Bellevue College is the largest of the 34 schools in the Washington Community and Technical Colleges system, as well as the third-largest institution of higher education in the state. The college has built a reputation for its highly paid graduates and return on investment.
The open-access college offers transfer associate degree programs, professional-technical degrees and certificates, continuing education programs, and bachelor’s degrees, including plenty of distance education and online options.
Learn more about Bellevue College and what it takes to get accepted.
4. Highline College
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $4,772/$5,332
Location: Des Moines, WA
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,126
Established in 1961, Highline offers comprehensive community college programs and applied bachelor’s degrees. The first community college in King County once had 15 instructors for 385 students and has grown into a robust institution with more than 13,000 current students in 350,000 alumni.
Highline College commonly ranks among the nation’s top community colleges and is a four-time recipient of the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award.
Learn more about Highline College and what it takes to get accepted.
5. Centralia College
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $5,266/$5,651
Location: Centralia, WA
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,335
Primarily offering certificates and associate’s degrees, Centralia also offers four Bachelor of Applied Science degrees:
- Applied Management
- Diesel Technology
- Teacher Education
- Behavioral Healthcare
Vetralia College is the oldest continuously operating community college in Washington State, founded in 1925.
Learn more about Centralia College and what it takes to get accepted.
6. Wenatchee Valley College
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $5,267/$5.636
Location: Wenatchee, WA
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,819
WVC is known for serving a large district—one of the biggest in the state. It is committed to DEI, with a variety of programs catering to diverse learners, including transfer, liberal arts, professional/technical, basic skills, and continuing education programs for people of a range of ethnic and economic backgrounds. It also seeks to support sustainability.
Learn more about Wenatchee Valley College and what it takes to get accepted.
7. Yakima Valley College
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $5,312/$5,873
Location: Yakima, WA
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,523
Yakima Valley College (YVC) offers more than 100 certificate programs, 55 associate degree programs, and five bachelor’s programs:
- Agricultural Sciences
- Business Management
- Dental Hygiene
- IT Networking
- Teacher Education
The college also has programs catering to qualified high school students, including Running Start, a statewide program that allows high school juniors and seniors to attend college classes tuition-free. The college is mostly first-generation, with 75% of its students being the first in their families to pursue higher education.
Learn more about Yakima Valley College and what it takes to get accepted.
8. Pierce College
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $5,387/$5,418
Location: Lakewood, WA
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,427
Pierce College offers comprehensive educational and support services, including plenty of eLearning and hybrid options. Pierce College has been repeatedly ranked among the nation’s best community colleges and is recognized as a top school for veterans.
Currently, the college offers six Bachelor of Applied Science degrees:
- Dental Hygiene
- Emergency Management
- Business Management
- Construction Management
- Fire Services Leadership and Management
- Teaching
Learn more about Pierce College and what it takes to get accepted.
9. Skagit Valley College
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $5,400/$7,500
Location: Mount Vernon, WA
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,098
Composed of two campuses and three centers, SVC offers several pathways, including professional/technical degrees and six Bachelor of Applied Science degrees:
- Advanced Manufacturing and Design
- Computer Science
- Early Childhood Education
- Environmental Conservation
- Management
- Healthcare Management
The college also offers extensive support services to help students succeed in their chosen pathway.
Learn more about Skagit Valley College and what it takes to get accepted.
10. Columbia Basin College
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $6,555/$8,668
Location: Pasco, WA
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,729
Comprised of eight schools, Columbia Basin College (CBC) offers programs in:
- Arts, Humanities, & Communication
- Business
- Career & Technical Education
- Computer Science
- Education
- Health Sciences
- Math, Science & Engineering
- Social & Behavioral Science
All told, CBC offers more than 60 programs and 140 degree paths. CBC also provides access to the Running Start program, along with ESL and GED prep classes.
Learn more about Columbia Basin College and what it takes to get accepted.
Tips for Saving Money on College
1. Apply to colleges that meet 100% of financial need.
Many colleges and universities in the U.S. are committed to meeting 100% of a student’s demonstrated financial need, ensuring that qualified students can pursue higher education without financial barriers.
2. Secure scholarships.
Scholarships—both institution-based and external—are an excellent resource to help you pay for college. Start applying for awards early, and cast as wide a net as possible, while targeting niche scholarships for which you qualify.
3. Consider commuting.
Many in-state public schools, along with some other institutions, allow you to commute, rather than live on campus. This will save you money on room and board, which can end up being expensive.
How Much Will You Pay for College?
Colleges advertise the sticker price, which is intimidating for many students. The good news is that very few families actually end up paying full freight. The vast majority of students receive financial aid.
CollegeVine’s financial aid calculator can give you an estimate of what you can expect to pay to attend hundreds of schools across the country, helping you plan accordingly. Try it out for free!
