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2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k

38 Ranked Colleges
17,008 Degrees Awarded
$6,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Liberal Arts General Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 1st of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 559,661 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $26,786 and had an average of $16,538 in loans still to pay off.

Across Washington, there were 17,008 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $25,577 and $13,641 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 38 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts general studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts general studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts general studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Washington

#1

Bellevue College

Bellevue, Washington

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Bellevue College landed the #1 spot on the list. Bellevue College is a fairly large public school situated in Bellevue, Washington. It awarded 1,350 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

BC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington” list. The estimated yearly cost for BC is $6,386 for washington liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at BC

#2

Highline College

Des Moines, Washington

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Highline College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k. Highline College is a medium-sized school located in Des Moines, Washington that handed out 618 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Highline not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington” list. The estimated yearly cost for Highline is $6,896 for Washington Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Highline College

#3

Seattle Central College

Seattle, Washington

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Seattle Central College landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Seattle, Washington, this medium-sized public school handed out 483 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Seattle Central also took the #11 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington” ranking. It costs about $2,506 for Washington Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Seattle Central.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Seattle Central

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 15 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend UW Seattle is $7,850 for washington liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at UW Seattle

#5

Tacoma Community College

Tacoma, Washington

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Tacoma Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Tacoma, Washington, this medium-sized public school handed out 558 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Tacoma Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington” list. The estimated yearly cost for Tacoma Community College is $5,126 for Washington Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Tacoma Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#6

Whatcom Community College

Bellingham, Washington

Whatcom Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Whatcom Community College is located in Bellingham, Washington and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 557 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Whatcom Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington” list. It costs about $6,213 for Washington Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Whatcom Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Whatcom Community College

#6

Shoreline Community College

Shoreline, Washington

With a ranking of #6, Shoreline Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k list. Shoreline Community College is a medium-sized school located in Shoreline, Washington that handed out 601 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Shoreline Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington” list. It costs about $6,033 for Washington Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Shoreline Community College.

Full Shoreline Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#8

North Seattle College

Seattle, Washington

North Seattle College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. North Seattle College is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 166 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

North Seattle also took the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington” ranking. It costs about $4,617 for Washington Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Seattle College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at North Seattle

#9

Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom

Lakewood, Washington
#6 in overall quality

Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom is a public institution located in Lakewood, Washington. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,310 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom also took the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom is $7,225 for Washington Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom

#10

Spokane Community College

Spokane, Washington

Spokane Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Spokane, Washington, this medium-sized public school handed out 309 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Spokane Community College is $4,616 for Washington Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Spokane Community College

#11

Spokane Falls Community College

Spokane, Washington

Spokane Falls Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Spokane Falls Community College is a public institution located in Spokane, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 697 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our washington liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Spokane Falls Community College has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington” ranking. It costs about $4,799 for Washington Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Spokane Falls Community College.

Full Spokane Falls Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#12

South Seattle College

Seattle, Washington
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, South Seattle College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k list. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 298 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Seattle, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington” ranking. The yearly cost to attend South Seattle is $7,550 for Washington Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at South Seattle

#13

Cascadia College

Bothell, Washington
#4 in overall quality

Cascadia College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cascadia College is located in Bothell, Washington and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 345 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Cascadia College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cascadia College is $6,549 for washington liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Cascadia College

South Puget Sound Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. South Puget Sound Community College is a small school located in Olympia, Washington that handed out 742 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

South Puget Sound Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for South Puget Sound Community College is $6,372 for Washington Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full South Puget Sound Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#15

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington

With a ranking of #15, Washington State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Pullman, Washington, and it awarded 115 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Wazzu not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington” list. The yearly cost to attend Wazzu is $9,334 for Washington Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Wazzu

#16

Everett Community College

Everett, Washington

Everett Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Everett Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Everett, Washington. It awarded 920 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our washington liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Everett Community College has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Everett Community College is $5,987 for washington liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Everett Community College

#17

Wenatchee Valley College

Wenatchee, Washington

Wenatchee Valley College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wenatchee, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 516 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our washington liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, WVC has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WVC is $5,806 for Washington Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at WVC

#18

Clark College

Vancouver, Washington

Clark College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Vancouver, Washington, and it awarded 953 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Clark College, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Clark College is $6,654 for Washington Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Clark College

#19

Olympic College

Bremerton, Washington

Olympic College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Olympic College is a medium-sized public school situated in Bremerton, Washington. It awarded 646 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

OC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington” list. The yearly cost to attend OC is $6,683 for Washington Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at OC

#20

Skagit Valley College

Mount Vernon, Washington

Skagit Valley College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Skagit Valley College is a public institution located in Mount Vernon, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 436 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Skagit Valley College is $6,905 for Washington Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Skagit Valley College

#21

Columbia Basin College

Pasco, Washington

Columbia Basin College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. This medium-sized school is located in Pasco, Washington, and it awarded 872 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

CBC also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend CBC is $8,522 for Washington Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Columbia Basin College

#22

Yakima Valley College

Yakima, Washington

With a ranking of #22, Yakima Valley College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k list. YVC is a small school located in Yakima, Washington that handed out 502 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

YVC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Washington” list. The yearly cost to attend Yakima Valley College is $6,900 for Washington Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Yakima Valley College

#23

Centralia College

Centralia, Washington

Centralia College landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Centralia, Washington, this small public school handed out 289 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $4,983 for Washington Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Centralia College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Centralia College

#24

Big Bend Community College

Moses Lake, Washington

Big Bend Community College landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Moses Lake, Washington, and it awarded 327 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $4,972 for Washington Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Big Bend Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Big Bend Community College

#25

Walla Walla Community College

Walla Walla, Washington

Walla Walla Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Washington For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Walla Walla Community College is a small school located in Walla Walla, Washington that handed out 243 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Walla Walla Community College is $4,056 for washington liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Walla Walla Community College

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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