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2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington
With all the trade school programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington ranking. This report analyzed 26 schools in Washington to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for trade school students.
View our full ranking methodology.
Top Trade Associate Degree Schools in Washington
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Bellevue College the best school in Washington for trade school students working on their associate degree. BC is located in Bellevue, Washington and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,783 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at BC is $4,159. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,838. On average, associate degree students take out $14,298 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at BC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 92% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Olympic College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington list. Located in Bremerton, Washington, the small public school handed out 1,230 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at OC is $4,472. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,740. Associate Degree recipients from OC accumulate an average of $12,828 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at OC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 91% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Out of the 26 schools in Washington that were part of this year’s ranking, Centralia College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Centralia College is a small public school situated in Centralia, Washington. It awarded 372 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Centralia College is $4,891. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,381.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Centralia College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 63% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent associate degree programs at Seattle Central College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in Washington. Seattle Central is a small public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 840 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,865 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Seattle Central. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,354. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,264 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Seattle Central. In 2020-2021 about 63% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 26 schools in Washington that were part of this year’s ranking, Tacoma Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Tacoma Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Tacoma, Washington. It awarded 1,051 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,901 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Tacoma Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,649. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,114 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Tacoma Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 92% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Clover Park Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list. CPTC is located in Lakewood, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 463 associate degrees to qualified students.
CPTC does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $5,979. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,933 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CPTC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 43% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Shoreline Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Located in Shoreline, Washington, the small public school handed out 746 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,256 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Shoreline Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,082. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,170 in student loans.
Shoreline Community College 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 47% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #8, Highline College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Des Moines, Washington, the small public school handed out 893 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,458 in tuition and fees if they attend Highline full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,948. Associate Degree recipients from Highline accumulate an average of $10,593 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Highline, 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 2020-2021 academic year, around 75% took at least some of their classes online.
Bellingham Technical College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. This small public school is located in Bellingham, Washington, and it awarded 389 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute is $4,095. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,357.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 73% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
North Seattle College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list. North Seattle is located in Seattle, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 373 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $5,058 in tuition and fees if they attend North Seattle full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,547.
Some students may be able to take online classes at North Seattle. In fact, around 45% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Whatcom Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington list. Whatcom Community College is a small public school situated in Bellingham, Washington. It awarded 744 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Whatcom Community College is $4,982. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,731. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,326 in student loans.
Whatcom Community College 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 2020-2021 year, about 86% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Columbia Basin College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Pasco, Washington, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,225 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,959 in tuition and fees if they attend CBC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,738. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,781 in student loans.
CBC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 84% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #13, Spokane Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Spokane, Washington, and it awarded 1,134 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,928 in tuition and fees if they attend Spokane Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,278. On average, associate degree students take out $18,221 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Spokane Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 50% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #14, Wenatchee Valley College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Wenatchee, Washington, and it awarded 702 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend WVC full time pay an average of $4,968 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,458. On average, associate degree students take out $12,181 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at WVC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 92% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Lake Washington Institute of Technology came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Kirkland, Washington, the small public school awarded 497 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend LWTech full time pay an average of $4,710 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,390. Associate Degree recipients from LWTech accumulate an average of $12,874 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at LWTech. In 2020-2021 about 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Grays Harbor College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #16 on the list. GHC is located in Aberdeen, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 294 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at GHC is $4,605. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,284. Associate Degree recipients from GHC accumulate an average of $12,248 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at GHC, 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, 66% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Everett Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Everett Community College is located in Everett, Washington and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,060 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $4,152 in tuition and fees if they attend Everett Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,831. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,892 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Everett Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.
Yakima Valley College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington list. YVC is a public institution located in Yakima, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 697 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,998 in tuition and fees if they attend YVC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,488. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,351 in student loans.
YVC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #19, Spokane Falls Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Spokane Falls Community College is a small public school located in Spokane, Washington that handed out 1,031 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $3,928 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Spokane Falls Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,278. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,767 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Spokane Falls Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 75% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Walla Walla Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Walla Walla, Washington, the small public school awarded 571 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,364 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Walla Walla Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #21, Renton Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Renton, Washington, the small public school awarded 207 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Renton Technical College is $5,784. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,252. Associate Degree recipients from Renton Technical College accumulate an average of $15,869 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Renton Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 49% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Clark College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Vancouver, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,332 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend Clark College full time pay an average of $4,529 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,133. Associate Degree recipients from Clark College accumulate an average of $13,817 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 Clark College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 91% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #23, Skagit Valley College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Skagit Valley College is located in Mount Vernon, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 626 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Washington who attend Skagit Valley College full time pay an average of $4,748 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,888. On average, associate degree students take out $13,970 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Skagit Valley College 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. In 2020-2021 about 64% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #24, South Puget Sound Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Olympia, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,056 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend South Puget Sound Community College full time pay an average of $4,938 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,687. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,240 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at South Puget Sound Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 85% took at least some of their classes online.
Lower Columbia College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington ranking. Longview, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 491 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at LCC is $4,261. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,514. Associate Degree recipients from LCC accumulate an average of $12,881 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
LCC 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. In 2020-2021 about 86% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 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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