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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.
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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 a fairly large public school situated in Bellevue, Washington. It awarded 1,783 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,159 in tuition and fees if they attend BC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,838. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,298 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at BC. In 2020-2021 about 92% 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, Olympic College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Bremerton, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,230 students 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. On average, associate degree students take out $12,828 in loans while pursuing their degree.
OC 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 91% 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 Centralia College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington list. Centralia College is a public institution located in Centralia, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 372 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,891 in tuition and fees if they attend Centralia College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,381.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Centralia College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Seattle Central College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 840 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Seattle Central is $4,865. 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.
Online courses are available at Seattle Central, 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 63% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Tacoma Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington list. Tacoma, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,051 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend Tacoma Community College full time pay an average of $4,901 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,649. Associate Degree recipients from Tacoma Community College accumulate an average of $15,114 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Tacoma Community College does offer online classes in some areas. 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.
Clover Park Technical College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington ranking. CPTC is a public institution located in Lakewood, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 463 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at CPTC is $5,979. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price 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.
One thing to take note of is that CPTC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 43% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Shoreline Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington ranking. Shoreline Community College is a small public school located in Shoreline, Washington that handed out 746 associate degrees 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. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,082. Associate Degree recipients from Shoreline Community College accumulate an average of $15,170 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 Shoreline Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 47% took at least some of their classes online.
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. Highline is a public institution located in Des Moines, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 893 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend Highline full time pay an average of $4,458 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,948. On average, associate degree students take out $10,593 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Highline. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 75% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Bellingham Technical College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Bellingham, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 389 students 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.
One thing to take note of is that Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 73% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
North Seattle College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington 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. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,547.
Depending on your major, you 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. This small public school is located in Bellingham, Washington, and it awarded 744 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Whatcom Community College is $4,982. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,731. Associate Degree recipients from Whatcom Community College accumulate an average of $13,326 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
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. In 2020-2021 about 86% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #12, Columbia Basin College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. CBC is located in Pasco, Washington and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,225 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $5,959 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CBC. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CBC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 84% took at least some of their classes online.
Spokane Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington list. Spokane Community College is a public institution located in Spokane, Washington. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,134 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 Community College. 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.
Online courses are available at Spokane Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 50% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Wenatchee Valley College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington ranking. WVC is a small public school situated in Wenatchee, Washington. 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. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,458. Associate Degree recipients from WVC accumulate an average of $12,181 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 WVC does offer online classes for certain majors. 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 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 #15 on the list. LWTech is a public institution located in Kirkland, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 497 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,710 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend LWTech. Those students who come from outside the state 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at LWTech. During the 2020-2021 year, about 54% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Grays Harbor College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. GHC is a small public school situated in Aberdeen, Washington. It awarded 294 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,605 in tuition and fees if they attend GHC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since GHC does offer online classes for certain majors. 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 landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Everett Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Everett, Washington that handed out 1,060 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,152 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Everett Community College. Out-of-state students 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Everett Community College. In 2020-2021 about 86% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Yakima Valley 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 #18 on the list. Yakima Valley College is a small public school located in Yakima, Washington that handed out 697 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at YVC is $4,998. Those students who come from outside the state 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at YVC. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Spokane Falls Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington ranking. Spokane Falls Community College is a small public school situated in Spokane, Washington. It awarded 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. Associate Degree recipients from Spokane Falls Community College accumulate an average of $14,767 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Spokane Falls 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. In fact, around 75% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Walla Walla 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 #20 on the list. Walla Walla Community College is a small public school situated in Walla Walla, Washington. It awarded 571 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $13,364 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Walla Walla Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 55% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Renton 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 #21 on the list. Renton Technical College is a public institution located in Renton, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 207 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Renton Technical College is $5,784. Those students who come from outside the state 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 49% took at least some of their classes online.
Clark 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 #22 on the list. Clark College is a medium-sized public school situated in Vancouver, Washington. It awarded 1,332 associate degrees 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. On average, associate degree students take out $13,817 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Clark College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 91% took at least some of their classes online.
Skagit Valley College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington ranking. Mount Vernon, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 626 students in 2021-2022.
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.
One thing to take note of is that Skagit Valley College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 64% took at least some of their classes online.
South Puget Sound Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington list. South Puget Sound Community College is a small public school located in Olympia, Washington that handed out 1,056 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,938 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend South Puget Sound Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,687. Associate Degree recipients from South Puget Sound Community College accumulate an average of $13,240 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at South Puget Sound Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 85% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Lower Columbia 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 #25 on the list. 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. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,514. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,881 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at LCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.
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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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