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2026 Best Value Trade Schools in Washington
Looking for the best-value Trade degree programs in Washington? We have ranked 97 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Trade College evaluated 30 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Washington
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Our analysis found Bellevue College to be the best-value Trade school in Washington. Set in Bellevue, WA, Bellevue College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,436, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Graduates carry a median of $18,839 in student loans. Bellevue College alumni report median earnings of $56,310 a decade after entry. Set against $18,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Bellevue College
A rank of #2 makes Olympic College one of the best values in Washington. Located in Bremerton, WA, Olympic College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,472, while out-of-state students pay about $9,740. The median Trade program debt is $11,497. Median earnings reach $43,169 ten years out. Set against $11,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Olympic College report
Out of the 30 schools in Washington in this year's value ranking, Seattle Community College North Campus landed the #3 spot. Seattle Community College North Campus is a public school based in Seattle, WA. Students from in state pay about $5,238 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Seattle Community College North Campus Trade students take on a median of $16,643 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,728. That is a strong return on a $16,643 median debt. More on Seattle Community College North Campus
You'll get strong value at Seattle Community College Central Campus, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Seattle, WA, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,238, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Typical Trade student debt is $14,699. Seattle Community College Central Campus alumni report median earnings of $43,307 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Seattle Community College Central Campus profile
You'll get strong value at Centralia College, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Centralia, WA, Centralia College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,266, compared with $5,651 for out-of-state students. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,140. See the full Centralia College profile
Bellingham Technical College came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Bellingham Technical College is a public school based in Bellingham, WA. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,431, while out-of-state students pay about $5,809. Bellingham Technical College alumni report median earnings of $49,748 a decade after entry. Get the full Bellingham Technical College report
Shoreline Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. This public school is set in Shoreline, WA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,115, with out-of-state students paying around $7,905. The median Trade program debt is $16,700. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,009. Set against $16,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Shoreline Community College
Spokane Community College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Located in Spokane, WA, Spokane Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Graduates carry a median of $16,486 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,984 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Spokane Community College
Highline Community College placed #9 among the best-value Trade schools in Washington. This public school is set in Des Moines, WA. Students from in state pay about $4,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,332. Students borrow a median of $8,958 to complete their Trade program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Highline Community College report
Wenatchee Valley College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Wenatchee, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,552, with out-of-state students paying around $5,054. The median Trade program debt is $11,462. Wenatchee Valley College alumni report median earnings of $41,127 a decade after entry. Set against $11,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Wenatchee Valley College
Tacoma Community College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Based in Tacoma, WA, Tacoma Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,507, with out-of-state students paying around $11,646. Tacoma Community College Trade students take on a median of $14,822 in debt. Tacoma Community College alumni report median earnings of $47,168 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,822 median debt. More on Tacoma Community College
Spokane Falls Community College came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Spokane Falls Community College is a public school based in Spokane, WA. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Spokane Falls Community College Trade students take on a median of $17,031 in debt. Spokane Falls Community College alumni report median earnings of $38,955 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,031 median debt. Read the full report on Spokane Falls Community College
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. This public school is set in Kirkland, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,997, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $19,695. Median earnings reach $50,669 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Lake Washington Institute Of Technology
Everett Community College came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Based in Everett, WA, Everett Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,032, while out-of-state students pay about $11,171. The median Trade program debt is $13,542. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,434. Set against $13,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Everett Community College
Clark College came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Located in Vancouver, WA, Clark College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,233, compared with $11,183 for out-of-state students. Clark College Trade students take on a median of $15,432 in debt. Clark College alumni report median earnings of $42,356 a decade after entry. Set against $15,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Clark College profile
Whatcom Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Located in Bellingham, WA, Whatcom Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,296, with out-of-state students paying around $11,435. Whatcom Community College Trade students take on a median of $16,588 in debt. Median earnings reach $44,092 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,588 median debt. More on Whatcom Community College
Skagit Valley College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Set in Mount Vernon, WA, Skagit Valley College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, compared with $7,410 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $14,056. Median earnings reach $43,505 ten years out. Set against $14,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Skagit Valley College
Grays Harbor College placed #18 among the best-value Trade schools in Washington. Based in Aberdeen, WA, Grays Harbor College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,593, while out-of-state students pay about $12,553. Students borrow a median of $12,524 to complete their Trade program here. Grays Harbor College alumni report median earnings of $40,865 a decade after entry. Set against $12,524 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Grays Harbor College
Lower Columbia College placed #19 among the best-value Trade schools in Washington. This public school is set in Longview, WA. Students from in state pay about $4,626 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,003 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $14,340. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,691 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,340 median debt. More on Lower Columbia College
Big Bend Community College landed the #20 spot for value in Washington this year. Set in Moses Lake, WA, Big Bend Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,059, compared with $5,619 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,662 in student loans. Big Bend Community College alumni report median earnings of $43,814 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,662 median debt. More on Big Bend Community College
Clover Park Technical College landed the #21 spot for value in Washington this year. Located in Lakewood, WA, Clover Park Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,634. Clover Park Technical College Trade students take on a median of $15,154 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Clover Park Technical College
Yakima Valley Community College came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Yakima, WA. Students from in state pay about $5,312 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,873. Graduates carry a median of $14,649 in student loans. Median earnings reach $43,499 ten years out. Set against $14,649 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Yakima Valley Community College
Walla Walla Community College came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Based in Walla Walla, WA, Walla Walla Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,279, with out-of-state students paying around $6,700. The median Trade program debt is $15,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,526. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Walla Walla Community College profile
Columbia Basin College landed the #24 spot for value in Washington this year. Located in Pasco, WA, Columbia Basin College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,555, with out-of-state students paying around $8,668. Columbia Basin College Trade students take on a median of $17,170 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,680. Set against $17,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Columbia Basin College profile
Central Washington University offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. This public school is set in Ellensburg, WA. In-state tuition and fees average $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Students borrow a median of $21,988 to complete their Trade program here. Central Washington University alumni report median earnings of $61,580 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,988 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Central Washington University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Washington
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
South Puget Sound Community College placed #26 among the best-value Trade schools in Washington. Set in Olympia, WA, South Puget Sound Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $5,818. Students borrow a median of $14,245 to complete their Trade program here. South Puget Sound Community College alumni report median earnings of $45,039 a decade after entry. Set against $14,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full South Puget Sound Community College profile
Eastern Washington University offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Set in Cheney, WA, Eastern Washington University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete their Trade program here. Eastern Washington University alumni report median earnings of $57,897 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,754 median debt. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants. Read the full report on Eastern Washington University
Renton Technical College placed #28 among the best-value Trade schools in Washington. Located in Renton, WA, Renton Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, compared with $7,768 for out-of-state students. Renton Technical College Trade students take on a median of $18,582 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,782. Set against $18,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Renton Technical College
Peninsula College placed #29 among the best-value Trade schools in Washington. Peninsula College is a public school based in Port Angeles, WA. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,718, with out-of-state students paying around $5,270. The median Trade program debt is $12,730. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,078. That is a strong return on a $12,730 median debt. Get the full Peninsula College report
Pacific Northwest Christian College placed #30 among the best-value Trade schools in Washington. See the full Pacific Northwest Christian College profile
Pima Medical Institute Seattle ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. More on Pima Medical Institute Seattle
The Evergreen State College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Get the full The Evergreen State College report
Fosbre Academy Of Hair Design ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read the full report on Fosbre Academy Of Hair Design
Green River Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. See the full Green River Community College profile
Seattle Pacific University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read more about Seattle Pacific University
Gary Manuel Aveda Institute landed the #36 spot for value in Washington this year. Read more about Gary Manuel Aveda Institute
Perry Technical Institute came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Perry Technical Institute report
Seattle Film Institute landed the #38 spot for value in Washington this year. Read the full report on Seattle Film Institute
Aveda Institute Portland Vancouver Campus placed #39 among the best-value Trade schools in Washington. More on Aveda Institute Portland Vancouver Campus
Bates Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Get the full Bates Technical College report
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Pima Medical Institute Renton offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read more about Pima Medical Institute Renton
Whitworth University came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Whitworth University report
Victorias Academy Of Cosmetology landed the #44 spot for value in Washington this year. Read more about Victorias Academy Of Cosmetology
Elite Cosmetology Barber And Spa Academy offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Read the full report on Elite Cosmetology Barber And Spa Academy
Carrington College Spokane ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read the full report on Carrington College Spokane
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read the full report on Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom
Whitworth University Adult Degree Programs landed the #48 spot for value in Washington this year. More on Whitworth University Adult Degree Programs
Centralia Beauty College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read more about Centralia Beauty College
Paul Mitchell The School Richland landed the #50 spot for value in Washington this year. See the full Paul Mitchell The School Richland profile
More Trade Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 30 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 97 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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