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Most affordable community colleges in Washington

3 community colleges in Washington report net price data, ranging from $6,434 at the lowest to higher costs at more selective schools. The median net price across these is $11,767. Washington's community colleges run a bit higher than the national average for the kind. The list below shows the most affordable options, ranked by net price.

Median net price in Washington

$11,767

National median for community colleges

$6,359

community colleges reporting in Washington

3

The most affordable community colleges in Washington, ranked by net price

1

Bates Technical College

WA

Net price

$6,434

Receive grant aid

55%

2

Shoreline Community College

WA

Net price

$11,767

Receive grant aid

41%

3

South Puget Sound Community College

WA

Net price

$11,896

Receive grant aid

51%

What makes a school affordable here

In Washington, the most affordable community colleges share two things in common. First, low published net prices reflect both reasonable sticker prices and meaningful institutional or state aid. Second, a high share of students receive grant aid. At Bates Technical College, the most affordable on this list, 55% of students receive grant aid. Net price reflects what a typical family actually pays, not the sticker price you see at first glance. A school with a $50,000 sticker price and a $10,000 net price is more affordable for most families than a school with a $20,000 sticker and a $19,000 net price.

Affordable colleges in Washington, other types

Affordable community colleges in other states

Find your personalized cost

National rankings use publicly available federal cost data. Plug in your actual aid offer and family situation for a Worth-It Score that reflects your specific picture.

Affordability rankings use publicly available federal higher-ed cost data. Net price reflects the average cost a family pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from total cost of attendance, for the 2022-23 reporting year. See full methodology →