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. Bellevue College is a fairly large public school located in Bellevue, Washington that handed out 1,783 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
BC undergraduate students pay an average of $9,838 in tuition and fees each year. 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 92% took at least some of their classes online.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, BC is ranked #1 for overall quality in Washington.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Olympic College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Located in Bremerton, Washington, the small public school awarded 1,230 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at OC are $9,740 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,828 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that OC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 91% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
OC also took the #2 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington rankings.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Bellingham Technical College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute is located in Bellingham, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 389 associate degrees to qualified students.
Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute undergraduate students pay an average of $5,357 in tuition and fees each year.
Online courses are available at Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute, 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 73% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Shoreline Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. This small public school is located in Shoreline, Washington, and it awarded 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. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,170 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Shoreline Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent associate degree programs at Centralia College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in Washington. Centralia College is a small public school situated in Centralia, Washington. It awarded 372 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Centralia College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,381 in tuition and fees each year.
Centralia 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Centralia College is ranked #3 for overall quality in Washington.
Spokane Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Spokane, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,134 students in 2021-2022.
Spokane Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,278 in tuition and fees each 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.
Highline College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Located in Des Moines, Washington, the small public school handed out 893 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Highline undergraduate students pay an average of $4,948 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $10,593 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Highline does offer online classes for certain majors. 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.
Seattle Central College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Seattle Central is a small public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 840 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Seattle Central undergraduate students pay an average of $5,354 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,264 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 63% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Seattle Central also made our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington list, coming in at #4.
Tacoma Community College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Located in Tacoma, Washington, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,051 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Tacoma Community College are $10,649 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,114 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Tacoma Community College, 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 92% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Tacoma Community College is ranked #5 for overall quality in Washington.
North Seattle College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. This small public school is located in Seattle, Washington, and 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 45% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #11, Spokane Falls Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Spokane, Washington, the small public school awarded 1,031 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Spokane Falls Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,278 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,767 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Spokane Falls Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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. WVC is a small public school situated in Wenatchee, Washington. It awarded 702 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
WVC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,458 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,181 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at WVC. In 2020-2021 about 92% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Everett Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Located in Everett, Washington, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,060 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Everett Community College are $9,831 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,892 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Everett Community College. 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.
With a ranking of #14, Whatcom Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Bellingham, Washington, the small public school handed out 744 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Whatcom Community College are $10,731 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,326 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Whatcom Community College. In fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Clover Park Technical College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Lakewood, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 463 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CPTC are $5,979 per year. 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. In fact, around 43% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
CPTC also claimed a spot on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in Washington list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Grays Harbor 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 #16 on the list. GHC is a public institution located in Aberdeen, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 294 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at GHC are $10,284 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,248 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at GHC. 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 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 #17 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.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at LWTech are $10,390 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,874 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity 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.
With a ranking of #18, Lower Columbia College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Longview, Washington, and it awarded 491 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
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.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at LCC. In 2020-2021 about 86% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Clark College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Clark College is a medium-sized public school situated in Vancouver, Washington. 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. Associate Degree recipients from this school 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. In fact, around 91% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Skagit Valley College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. This small public school is located in Mount Vernon, Washington, and it awarded 626 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Skagit Valley College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,888 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,970 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Skagit Valley College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 64% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Walla Walla Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Walla Walla Community College is a small public school situated in Walla Walla, Washington. It awarded 571 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Walla Walla Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,306 in tuition and fees each year. 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 55% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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. Yakima Valley College is a small public school located in Yakima, Washington that handed out 697 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
YVC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,488 in tuition and fees each 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. In 2020-2021 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #23, Columbia Basin College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Pasco, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,225 students in 2021-2022.
CBC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,738 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,781 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CBC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 84% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
South Puget Sound Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. South Puget Sound Community College is a public institution located in Olympia, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,056 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at South Puget Sound Community College are $10,687 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,240 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that South Puget Sound Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 85% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #25, Renton Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Renton Technical College is a small public school located in Renton, Washington that handed out 207 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Renton Technical College are $6,252 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,869 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Renton Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 49% took at least some of their classes online.
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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