2026 Best Value Value Schools in Washington
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in Washington
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Leading the list is Seattle Community College North Campus, our #1 best value for value in Washington. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,238, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Students borrow a median of $16,643 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Seattle Community College North Campus earn a median of $48,739 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Green River Community College earned it the #2 place for value. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,711 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,263 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $50,712 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Seattle University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,721. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,750. Value graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $37,557 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
City University Of Seattle came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Seattle, City University Of Seattle is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,929. Value graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from City University Of Seattle generally make around $76,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
