2027 Best Value Education Schools in Washington
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 44 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.
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2027 Best Value Education Schools in Washington
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Lake Washington Institute Of Technology the best value for a degree in education in Washington. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Typical student debt for education graduates is $19,695. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $33,869. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Skagit Valley College, which ranked #2. Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Mount Vernon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $7,410. Students borrow a median of $14,056 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Skagit Valley College earn a median of $44,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,056 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Bates Technical College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,027 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,165 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $50,051 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grays Harbor College earned it the #4 place for education. Located in the rural area of Aberdeen, Grays Harbor College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,593, while out-of-state students pay about $12,553. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,303. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Grays Harbor College generally make around $33,763. Set against $12,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Olympic College, which ranked #5. Olympic College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bremerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,472, while out-of-state students pay about $9,740. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,497. Education graduates of Olympic College earn a median of $57,593 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,497 median debt.
Renton Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $7,768. Education graduates carry a median of $18,582 in student loans. Education graduates of Renton Technical College earn a median of $80,411 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,582 median debt.
Columbia Basin College came in at #7 for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,555, compared with $8,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,170. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Columbia Basin College generally make around $63,976. Set against $17,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Falls Community College placed #8 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Spokane Falls Community College generally make around $25,777. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tacoma Community College placed #9 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,646. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,822. Early-career education graduates make about $41,732. Set against $14,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lower Columbia College came in at #10 for value in education this year. Lower Columbia College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Longview. Students from in state pay about $4,626 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,003. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,340. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Lower Columbia College generally make around $53,280. Set against $14,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Puget Sound Community College placed #11 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Olympia, South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, while out-of-state students pay about $5,818. Students borrow a median of $14,245 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $39,430. That is a strong return on a $14,245 median debt.
Walla Walla Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Walla Walla, Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,279, while out-of-state students pay about $6,700. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,500. Early-career education graduates make about $46,131. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wenatchee Valley College placed #13 among the best values for education. Wenatchee Valley College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Wenatchee. Students from in state pay about $4,552 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,054. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,462. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Wenatchee Valley College generally make around $55,642. Set against $11,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,729. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $71,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Peninsula College earned the #15 position for value in education this year. Peninsula College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Port Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $4,718, while out-of-state students pay about $5,270. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,730. Early-career education graduates make about $51,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom came in at #16 for value in education this year. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public school located in the city of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,418, while out-of-state students pay about $5,976. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,365. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom generally make around $55,849. That is a strong return on a $23,365 median debt.
Highline Community College placed #17 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,332. Students borrow a median of $8,958 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Highline Community College generally make around $55,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Centralia College came in at #18 for value in education this year. Centralia College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Centralia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,266, with out-of-state students paying around $5,651. Education graduates of Centralia College earn a median of $77,740 early in their careers.
Clover Park Technical College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,634. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,154. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. That is a strong return on a $15,154 median debt.
Seattle Community College North Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Students borrow a median of $13,404 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Seattle Community College North Campus generally make around $42,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Everett Community College landed the #21 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,032, while out-of-state students pay about $11,171. Students borrow a median of $13,542 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $47,441. That is a strong return on a $13,542 median debt.
Bellevue College placed #22 among the best values for education. Bellevue College is a large public school located in the city of Bellevue. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,436, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $18,839 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Bellevue College generally make around $67,771. Set against $18,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edmonds Community College landed the #23 spot for education value this year. Edmonds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lynnwood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,810, while out-of-state students pay about $10,875. Students borrow a median of $16,025 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Edmonds Community College earn a median of $35,618 early in their careers. Set against $16,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clark College landed the #24 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,233, while out-of-state students pay about $11,183. Education graduates carry a median of $15,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Clark College generally make around $28,118. Set against $15,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yakima Valley Community College placed #25 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Yakima, Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,312, compared with $5,873 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,649. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Yakima Valley Community College generally make around $49,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
View All Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on 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 Major Best Value · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
