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2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
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 help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. This report analyzed 26 schools in Washington to see which ones offered the best value associate degree programs for trade school students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in Washington
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Bellevue College to be the best value school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in Washington. Located in Bellevue, Washington, the fairly large public school awarded 1,783 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BC are $9,838 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,298 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at BC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 92% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
BC not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington list.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Olympic College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Bremerton, Washington, the small public school handed out 1,230 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
OC undergraduate students pay an average of $9,740 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,828 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since OC does offer online classes for certain majors. 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.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, OC is ranked #2 for overall quality in Washington.
Out of the 26 schools in Washington that were part of this year’s value ranking, Bellingham Technical College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in Bellingham, Washington, the small public school awarded 389 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute are $5,357 a year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute. During the 2020-2021 year, about 73% 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 Shoreline Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Shoreline Community College is a small public school located in Shoreline, Washington that handed out 746 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Shoreline Community College are $7,082 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,170 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Shoreline Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 47% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Centralia College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Located in Centralia, Washington, the small public school awarded 372 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Centralia College are $5,381 per year.
One thing to take note of is that Centralia College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 63% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Centralia College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #3 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington list.
With a ranking of #6, Spokane Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Spokane Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Spokane, Washington. It awarded 1,134 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Spokane Community College are $5,278 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $18,221 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Spokane Community College. In fact, around 50% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #7, Highline College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Highline is located in Des Moines, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 893 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Highline are $4,948 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Seattle Central College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. This small public school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 840 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Seattle Central are $5,354 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,264 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Seattle Central does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 63% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Seattle Central did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington list.
Tacoma Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Tacoma Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Tacoma, Washington. It awarded 1,051 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Tacoma Community College are $10,649 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,114 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Tacoma Community College 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.
Tacoma Community College also took the #5 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington rankings.
North Seattle College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. North Seattle is a small public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 373 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Seattle are $5,547 per year.
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.
Spokane Falls Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Spokane Falls Community College is a public institution located in Spokane, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,031 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Spokane Falls Community College are $5,278 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,767 in loans while pursuing their degree.
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.
With a ranking of #12, Wenatchee Valley College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Wenatchee Valley College is a small public school located in Wenatchee, Washington that handed out 702 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WVC are $5,458 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,181 in student loans.
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.
Everett Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Everett, Washington, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,060 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Everett Community College are $9,831 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,892 in student loans.
Everett 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, 86% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Whatcom Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Bellingham, Washington, the small public school handed out 744 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Whatcom Community College are $10,731 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,326 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Whatcom Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.
Clover Park Technical College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Located in Lakewood, Washington, the small public school handed out 463 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CPTC are $5,979 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,933 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CPTC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 43% took at least some of their classes online.
CPTC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington list.
Grays Harbor College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. GHC is a public institution located in Aberdeen, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 294 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
GHC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,284 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,248 in loans while pursuing their degree.
GHC 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 66% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Lake Washington Institute of Technology ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. This small public school is located in Kirkland, Washington, and it awarded 497 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
LWTech undergraduate students pay an average of $10,390 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,874 in loans while pursuing their degree.
LWTech does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 54% took at least some of their classes online.
Lower Columbia College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. LCC is located in Longview, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 491 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LCC are $5,514 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,881 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that LCC 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.
Clark College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Vancouver, Washington, and it awarded 1,332 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Clark College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,133 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,817 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you 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 landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Located in Mount Vernon, Washington, the small public school handed out 626 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Skagit Valley College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,888 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,970 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Skagit Valley College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #21, Walla Walla Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Walla Walla, Washington, the small public school handed out 571 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Walla Walla Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,306 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,364 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Walla Walla Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 55% took at least some of their classes online.
Yakima Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in Yakima, Washington, the small public school handed out 697 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at YVC are $5,488 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,351 in loans while pursuing their degree.
YVC 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 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Columbia Basin College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Columbia Basin College is a medium-sized public school located in Pasco, Washington that handed out 1,225 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CBC are $7,738 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,781 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CBC. 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.
South Puget Sound Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Located in Olympia, Washington, the small public school awarded 1,056 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
South Puget Sound Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,687 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,240 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since South Puget Sound Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 85% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Renton Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #25 on the list. Renton Technical College is a small public school situated in Renton, Washington. It awarded 207 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Renton Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,252 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,869 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Renton Technical College. In fact, around 49% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Best Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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