2026 Best Value Education Schools in Washington
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,997, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $33,869. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Renton Technical College earned it the #2 place for education. Set in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,768. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Renton Technical College generally make around $80,411. That is a strong return on a $18,582 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Bates Technical College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,027, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clover Park Technical College earned it the #4 place for education. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,634 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Peninsula College, which ranked #5. Peninsula College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Port Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $4,718, compared with $5,270 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,730 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Peninsula College generally make around $51,243. That is a strong return on a $12,730 median debt.
Skagit Valley College placed #6 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, compared with $7,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,056 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Skagit Valley College generally make around $44,860. Set against $14,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Falls Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $25,777. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Columbia Basin College placed #8 among the best values for education. Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pasco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,555, while out-of-state students pay about $8,668. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,170. Early-career education graduates make about $63,976. That is a strong return on a $17,170 median debt.
Olympic College earned the #9 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,472, compared with $9,740 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $11,497 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $57,593. Set against $11,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Centralia College came in at #10 for value in education this year. Centralia College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Centralia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,266, compared with $5,651 for out-of-state students. Early-career education graduates make about $77,740.
Walla Walla Community College came in at #11 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Walla Walla, Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,279 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,700. Education graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Walla Walla Community College generally make around $46,131. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seattle Community College North Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,238, 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. Set against $13,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lower Columbia College earned the #13 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Longview, Lower Columbia College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,626, 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. That is a strong return on a $14,340 median debt.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #14 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Education graduates carry a median of $15,729 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $71,227 early in their careers. Set against $15,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Tacoma Community College placed #15 among the best values for education. Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. In-state tuition and fees average $5,507, compared with $11,646 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,822 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Tacoma Community College generally make around $41,732. Set against $14,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Puget Sound Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Olympia, South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,818. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,245. Early-career education graduates make about $39,430. Set against $14,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom placed #17 among the best values for education. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public school located in the city of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,418, while out-of-state students pay about $5,976. Students borrow a median of $23,365 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $55,849. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Whatcom Community College came in at #18 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Whatcom Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,296, compared with $11,435 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $16,588 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $51,466. Set against $16,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clark College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,233, compared with $11,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,432. 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 earned the #20 position for value in education this year. Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Yakima. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,312, with out-of-state students paying around $5,873. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,649. Education graduates of Yakima Valley Community College earn a median of $49,625 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Everett Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. 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. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Everett Community College generally make around $47,441. Set against $13,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wenatchee Valley College landed the #22 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Wenatchee, Wenatchee Valley College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,552 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,462. Education graduates of Wenatchee Valley College earn a median of $55,642 early in their careers. Set against $11,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highline Community College earned the #23 position for value in education this year. Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Des Moines. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, compared with $5,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,958. Early-career education graduates make about $55,459. That is a strong return on a $8,958 median debt.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #24 spot for education value this year. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Students borrow a median of $15,729 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $60,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Bellevue College earned the #25 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Bellevue, Bellevue College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,436, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Education graduates carry a median of $18,839 in student loans. Education graduates of Bellevue College earn a median of $67,771 early in their careers. Set against $18,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for education this year:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
[Education](/majors/education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
