If you can’t devote yourself to a four-year study to earn a Bachelor’s degree, then a two-year associate degree in a community college may be right for you! See our list of best community colleges in Washington to find one that is right for you.
The State of Washington is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. It is the capital city and only federal district of the United States. It is located on the east bank of the Potomac River, which forms its southwestern and southern border with the U.S. state of Virginia, and shares a land border with the U.S. state of Maryland on its remaining sides.
The city was named after George Washington, a Founding Father and the first president of the United States, and the federal district is named after Columbia, a female personification of the nation.
Washington College is home to approximately 128 international students from around the world, as well as several students who hold dual citizenship between the U.S. and another country.
Most developed countries have community colleges designed to serve the educational and academic needs of that locality. In the US, for example, there are Community colleges in California, Community Colleges in San Diego and there are also more in Florida and Alaska.
Some students prefer community colleges and this is because of the lower tuition, less theory and more practical, and gaining skills you can apply to real-life situations. For example, if you love professions like carpentry, electrical repair, plumber, cosmetology, cooking, automotive repair, etc., and want to venture into the career, a community college is the right place of learning for you.
You can check out the list of low tuition universities in California for international students. You can find a cheap school that fits your financial requirements there. As well as top countries that you can study for free or at a low tuition.
For Washington community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $4,058 per year for in-state students and $7,211 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $18,546 per year.
If you are an international student, seeking admission to a community college with a low tuition fee, you can look up Cheapest Community Colleges in the US for international students and Cheapest Community Colleges in Toronto, Canada for International Students to find out more information on other community colleges with low tuition fee.
Universities and four-year colleges don’t offer programs of this kind, only community colleges do and these colleges provide students with quality hands-on practical education that would make them start working immediately after they complete their program.
It takes at most two years to complete a degree program at a community college and earn an Associate Degree, certificate, diploma, or the necessary qualification which is recognized and accepted by employers worldwide. Additionally, the credit from your program can be transferred to a university or four-year college.
Community Colleges in Washington for International Students
Below is the list of Community Colleges in Washington for International students with their locations;
- Bates Technical College International Programs, Tacoma
- Bellevue College International Education and Global Initiatives, Bellevue
- Bellingham Technical College International Students, Bellingham
- Big Bend Community College International Students, Moses Lake
- Cascadia College International Programs, Bothell
- Centralia College International Programs, Centralia
- Clark College International Programs, Vancouver (WA)
- Clover Park Technical College International Education, Lakewood
- Columbia Basin College International Student Program, Pasco
- Edmonds College International Student Services, Lynnwood
- Everett Community College International Education, Everett
- Green River College International Programs, Auburn
- Highline College International Student Programs, Des Moines
- Lake Washington Institute of Technology International Programs, Kirkland
- Lower Columbia College International Programs, Longview
- North Seattle College International Programs, Seattle–Northgate
- Olympic College International Education, Bremerton
- Peninsula College International Student and Faculty Services, Port Angeles
- Pierce College International Education, Lakewood and Puyallup
- Renton Technical College International Student Services, Renton
- Seattle Central College International Education Programs, Seattle–Capitol Hill/Downtown
- Shoreline Community College International Education, Seattle–Northeast suburbs
- Skagit Valley College International Program, Mount Vernon
- South Puget Sound Community College International Student Services, Olympia
- South Seattle College Center for International Education, West Seattle
- Community Colleges of Spokane Global Education, Spokane
- Tacoma Community College International Programs, Tacoma
- Walla Walla Community College International Students, Walla Walla
- Wenatchee Valley College International Students, Wenatchee
- Whatcom Community College International Programs, Bellingham
- Yakima Valley College International Student Program, Yakima
Requirements for Community Colleges in Washington
Washington State is an open-enrollment institution which means that we don’t require specific test scores or GPAs for you to be admitted to the College. To enroll, you must fill out the online application for admissions and submit an official high school transcript or high school equivalency (such as a GED).
Without any further ado, let’s get into the community colleges in Washington…
Community Colleges in Washington
The best community colleges in Washington serve as a springboard into further education in diverse fields of study without causing financial strain. They also transcend education levels and provide professional and technical training for professionals to attain higher income levels.
These public postsecondary institutions are famous for their affordability and provision of programs that students can complete within two years. The average tuition rate for community colleges in Washington is substantially lower than for private universities.
The Community Colleges are listed below;
1. Big Bend Community College
Big Bend College, located in Moses Lake, Washington, has 2,044 students and follows a quarter-based academic year. It is one of the Community Colleges in Washington. Big Bend offers credit for life experience and has an open admissions policy. This comprehensive college is well-equipped with educational and human resources to provide developmental education as well as professional/technical advancement programs of study.
Best Big Bend Community College Programs;
- Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Associate Degree in General Studies and Humanities
- Associate Degree in Management Marketing
- Associate Degree in Health Professions
- Associate Degree in Business Management
TheCollege’sTuitionFeeis$4,350, with an acceptance rate for 100%
2. South Puget Sound Community College
South Puget Sound is a two-year junior public college located in Olympia, Washington. It is home to 4,872 part-time and full-time students. It is some of the Community Colleges in Washington and offers many programs, and in 2023, it will offer its first Bachelor in Applied Science Degree in Craft Beverage Management and Quality Assurance to facilitate career goals in that field.
Best South Puget Sound Community College Programs;
- Associate Degree in Arts and Communication
- Associate Degree in Biology-DTA/MRP
- Associate Degree in Science Track 2
- Associate Degree in Accounting
- Associate Degree in Engineering, Construction Technology-AAS-T
TheCollege’sTuitionFeeis$6,939, with an acceptance rate of 100%
3. Pierce College Puyallup
Pierce College is one of the top-ranked Community Colleges in Washington State. It offers many associate degrees, mainly in the arts and sciences, and three bachelors of applied sciences degrees. The college has two main campuses, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, Lakewood, and Pierce College, Puyallup.
Best Pierce College Programs;
- Associate Degree in Business
- Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene
- Associate Degree in Education
- Associate Degree in Arts, Humanities, and Communication
- Associate Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
TheCollege’sTuitionFeeis$6,420, with an acceptance rate of 100%
4. Tacoma Community College
This public college, located in Tacoma, Washington, is home to over 11,000 students. As a Community College in Washington, Tacoma offers 43 associate degree programs, 33 professional health and technical certificates, and three bachelor’s degree programs. TCC boasts a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to one and offers financial aid opportunities to help students pay for their education.
Best Tacoma Community College Programs;
- Bachelor’s Degree in Health Information Management
- Bachelor’s Degree in Community Health and Applied Management
- Associate Degree in Retailing and Retail Operations
- Associate Degree in Business/Commerce
- Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences
The College’s Tuition Fee is $6,774
5. Everett Community College
Students attend Everett College to conveniently apply to a four-year school, develop essential skills or train for a promotion. As a Community College in Washington, Everett College offers over 90 majors and programs through its corporate and continuing education center. You can study things like automotive technology programs or get an Associate in Applied Arts and Sciences, with direct transfers to most universities.
Best Everett Community College Programs;
- Associate Degree in Medical Assisting
- Associate Degree in Welding Technology/Welder
- Associate Degree in Fire Science/Fire-Fighting
- Associate Degree in Business Administration and Management
- Associate Degree in Business/Commerce
The College’s tuition fee is $6,557 with an acceptance rate of 100%
6. Shoreline Community College
This college offers transfer degrees and a wide range of professional and workforce training degrees and certificate programs. Shoreline enrolls international students from over 45 countries. It awards 140 scholarships annually, provides student support services, and presents over $14.4 million in financial aid. The College is one of the Community Colleges in Washington.
Best Shoreline Community Programs;
- Associate Degree in Music Technology
- Associate Degree in Child Development
- Associate Degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology/Technician
- Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
- Associate Degree in Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
The College’s Tuition Fee is $5,287, with an acceptance rate of 100%
7. Bates Technical College
As one of the Community Colleges in Washington, this two-year school offers various educational pathways ranging from applied science degrees to industry certifications and academic certificates. The college has a direct transfer agreement with several four-year colleges. The college offers career services to existing students to help them navigate their education and reach their career goals.
Best Bates Technical College Programs;
- Associate Degree in Electronics, Electrical, and Communications Engineering Technology
- Associate Degree in Industrial Electronics Technology
- Associate Degree in Design and Visual Communications
- Associate Degree in Diesel Mechanics Technology
- Associate Degree in Biomedical Technology
The College’s Tuition Fee is $5,151, with an acceptance rate of 100%
8. Renton Technical College
As a Community College in Washington, Renton Tech prepares a diverse student population for career readiness through educational opportunities. A school graduate can apply for full-time or part-time professional-technical certificates. The college’s graduation rate of 66 percent is the highest in the state for community and technical colleges, and among the highest in the country.
Best Renton Technical College Programs;
- Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology
- Bachelor’s Degree in System, Networking, and LAN/WAN management
- Associate Degree in Dental Assisting
- Culinary Arts Associate of Applied Science Degree
- Associate Degree in Building/Property Maintenance
The College’s Tuition Fee is $4,735
9. Clark College
Clark College enrolls approximately 11,000 incoming degree-seekers quarterly. It established its first four-year program in 2014, a baccalaureate in the medical field, and has since become a recognized four-year college. It is one of the Community Colleges in Washington.
Best Clark College Programs;
- Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene
- Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Cyber security
- Associate Degree in Business Management
- Associate Degree in Machine Tool Technology
- Certificate of Phlebotomy Technician
The College’s Tuition Fee is $6,248
10. Lake Washington Institute of Technology
LWTech is the only public institute of technology in Washington. The college offers certificate programs and technical academy courses. As one of the Community Colleges in Washington, It has one of the highest completion rates in Washington and offers transfer degrees to bachelor’s degree programs at several universities in Washington.
Best Lake Washington Institute of Technology Programs;
- Bachelor’s Degree in Design and Visual Communications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Programming
- Associate Degree in Computer Graphics
- Associate Degree in Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects
- Associate Degree in Accounting Technology
This is the Community College with the lowest tuition fee of $2,555
This is the end of the list of community colleges in Washington. I hope you find this article helpful and get all the information you need.
Community Colleges in Washington – FAQs
Are Community Colleges Free in Washington State?
Yes, there are free Community Colleges in Washington State
Washington has two main free community college initiatives. The College Bound Scholarship Washington and the Seattle Promise
The College Bound Scholarship is a last-dollar scholarship that covers tuition, some fees, and a small book allowance. Students in 7th or 8th grade from low-income families can apply.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Promise is a last-dollar program that allows graduates of local public schools to apply for a tuition scholarship that covers any remaining tuition balance for up to two years at any public Seattle college. If low-income students still need financial support for expenses beyond tuition, such as books, meals, or room and board, they can apply for the Seattle Promise Equity Scholarship.
The Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the College Bound Scholarship Washington, students must meet the FAFSA income eligibility criteria.
Seattle Promise scholars are required to have good academic standing, and a stellar attendance record, and must meet with their advisor each quarter to remain qualified
How Many Community Colleges are in Washington?
There are 27 community colleges and universities in Washington enrolling 119,907 students.