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Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Washington

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2023 Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Washington

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

21 Schools Ranked
$7,384 Avg Tuition & Fees*

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 Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Washington ranking. Our analysis looked at 21 schools in Washington to see which basic certificate programs offered the best value experiences for trade school students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

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.

Top Value Trade Basic Certificate Schools in Washington

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Olympic College

Bremerton, Washington
773 Total Awards
$9,740 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Olympic College the best value school in Washington for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Bremerton, Washington, the small public school awarded 773 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at OC are $9,740 per year.

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.

OC did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington list.

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#2

North Seattle College

Seattle, Washington
180 Total Awards
$5,547 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at North Seattle College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in Washington. North Seattle is located in Seattle, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 180 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at North Seattle are $5,547 a year.

Online courses are available at North Seattle, 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 45% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

North Seattle also took the #1 spot in our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington rankings.

Full North Seattle College Report

#3

Seattle Central College

Seattle, Washington
73 Total Awards
$5,354 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Seattle Central College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Seattle Central is a small public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 73 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Seattle Central undergraduate students pay an average of $5,354 in tuition and fees each year.

Seattle Central 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, 63% 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, Seattle Central is ranked #4 for overall quality in Washington.

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#4

Centralia College

Centralia, Washington
114 Total Awards
$5,381 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Centralia College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Centralia College is located in Centralia, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 114 basic certificates to qualified students.

Centralia College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,381 in tuition and fees each year.

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.

Centralia College also took the #3 spot in our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Washington rankings.

Full Centralia College Report

#5

Spokane Community College

Spokane, Washington
571 Total Awards
$5,278 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Spokane Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. This medium-sized public school is located in Spokane, Washington, and it awarded 571 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Spokane Community College are $5,278 a year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Spokane Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 50% 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, Spokane Community College is ranked #5 for overall quality in Washington.

Read More…

#6

Bellingham Technical College

Bellingham, Washington
245 Total Awards
$5,357 Average Tuition & Fees

Bellingham Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in Bellingham, Washington, the small public school handed out 245 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute undergraduate students pay an average of $5,357 in tuition and fees each year.

Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Bellingham Technical College

#7

Everett Community College

Everett, Washington
419 Total Awards
$9,831 Average Tuition & Fees

Everett Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. Everett Community College is a public institution located in Everett, Washington. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 419 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Everett Community College are $9,831 a year.

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. In fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Everett Community College

#8

Skagit Valley College

Mount Vernon, Washington
259 Total Awards
$7,888 Average Tuition & Fees

Skagit Valley College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Washington list. This small public school is located in Mount Vernon, Washington, and it awarded 259 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Skagit Valley College are $7,888 a year.

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 2020-2021 about 64% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Skagit Valley College

#9

Clark College

Vancouver, Washington
90 Total Awards
$10,133 Average Tuition & Fees

Clark College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #9 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Vancouver, Washington, and it awarded 90 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Clark College are $10,133 per year.

Clark College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 91% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#10

Whatcom Community College

Bellingham, Washington
352 Total Awards
$10,731 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #10, Whatcom Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Whatcom Community College is a small public school located in Bellingham, Washington that handed out 352 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Whatcom Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,731 in tuition and fees each year.

Whatcom Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 86% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Whatcom Community College

#11

Tacoma Community College

Tacoma, Washington
523 Total Awards
$10,649 Average Tuition & Fees

Tacoma Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Tacoma, Washington, the medium-sized public school awarded 523 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate 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.

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.

Read More…

#12

Big Bend Community College

Moses Lake, Washington
166 Total Awards
$5,234 Average Tuition & Fees

Big Bend Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Washington list. Big Bend Community College is a small public school located in Moses Lake, Washington that handed out 166 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Big Bend Community College are $5,234 per year.

Big Bend 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 74% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Big Bend Community College

#13

Walla Walla Community College

Walla Walla, Washington
92 Total Awards
$6,306 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, Walla Walla Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Walla Walla Community College is a public institution located in Walla Walla, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 92 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Walla Walla Community College are $6,306 per year.

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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 55% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#14

Lower Columbia College

Longview, Washington
49 Total Awards
$5,514 Average Tuition & Fees

Lower Columbia College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Longview, Washington, the small public school handed out 49 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at LCC are $5,514 a year.

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 fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Lower Columbia College Report

#15

Yakima Valley College

Yakima, Washington
322 Total Awards
$5,488 Average Tuition & Fees

Yakima Valley College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. YVC is located in Yakima, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 322 basic certificates to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at YVC are $5,488 per year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at YVC. In 2020-2021 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Yakima Valley College

481 Total Awards
$10,390 Average Tuition & Fees

Lake Washington Institute of Technology ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Washington list. Located in Kirkland, Washington, the small public school handed out 481 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

LWTech undergraduate students pay an average of $10,390 in tuition and fees each year.

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.

Read More…

#17

Clover Park Technical College

Lakewood, Washington
834 Total Awards
$5,979 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #17, Clover Park Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Lakewood, Washington, the small public school handed out 834 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

CPTC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,979 in tuition and fees each year.

CPTC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 43% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Clover Park Technical College Report

#18

Grays Harbor College

Aberdeen, Washington
48 Total Awards
$10,284 Average Tuition & Fees

Grays Harbor College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #18 on the list. This small public school is located in Aberdeen, Washington, and it awarded 48 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

GHC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,284 in tuition and fees each year.

GHC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 66% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Grays Harbor College Report

#19

Columbia Basin College

Pasco, Washington
141 Total Awards
$7,738 Average Tuition & Fees

Columbia Basin College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Washington list. Pasco, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 141 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CBC are $7,738 a year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at CBC. In fact, around 84% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Columbia Basin College Report

#20

Renton Technical College

Renton, Washington
178 Total Awards
$6,252 Average Tuition & Fees

Renton Technical College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Washington ranking. Renton, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 178 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Renton Technical College are $6,252 a year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Renton Technical College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 49% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#21

Peninsula College

Port Angeles, Washington
107 Total Awards
$4,919 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #21, Peninsula College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Port Angeles, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 107 students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Peninsula College are $4,919 per year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Peninsula College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 68% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

Best Value Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 21 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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