by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Washington? We have ranked 50 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. These are our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — use Customize Your Rankings below to narrow the list.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual reviewed 50 schools to produce this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
In This Year’s Value Report:
Our analysis looked at 50 schools in Washington to find which ones offer the best value. Our ranking is based on objective factors.
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — the published sticker price before any financial aid (the No Aid view). Value also depends on the quality of the education, not just the price. So we weigh that cost against outcomes like degree completion, educational resources, student-body caliber, and post-graduation earnings.
The result is a ranking of schools that give you the most for your money. Read more about our methodology.
The best value for you depends on what and where you want to study. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Renton Technical College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Washington. Set in Renton, WA, Renton Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,768 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $18,582. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,782 ten years after entry. Set against $18,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
You'll get strong value at Clover Park Technical College, which ranked #2 this year. Set in Lakewood, WA, Clover Park Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,634. Typical student debt is $15,154. Clover Park Technical College alumni report median earnings of $41,787 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bates Technical College came in at #3 on this year's best-value ranking in Washington. This public school is set in Tacoma, WA. In-state tuition and fees average $6,027, compared with $12,165 for out-of-state students. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $50,051.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bellingham Technical College earned it the #4 place in Washington. Set in Bellingham, WA, Bellingham Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,431, while out-of-state students pay about $5,809. Median earnings reach $49,748 ten years out.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology came in at #5 on this year's best-value ranking in Washington. Set in Kirkland, WA, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,997, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $50,669. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seattle Community College South Campus came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Set in Seattle, WA, Seattle Community College South Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,208, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,486.
Seattle Community College Central Campus came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Located in Seattle, WA, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,238, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Typical student debt is $14,699. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,307 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,699 median debt.
Grays Harbor College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Set in Aberdeen, WA, Grays Harbor College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,593, while out-of-state students pay about $12,553. The median program debt is $12,524. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Peninsula College came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Peninsula College is a public school based in Port Angeles, WA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,718, while out-of-state students pay about $5,270. Students borrow a median of $12,730 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,078. Set against $12,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Spokane, WA, Spokane Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $16,486 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skagit Valley College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Skagit Valley College is a public school based in Mount Vernon, WA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $7,410. Graduates carry a median of $14,056 in student loans. Median earnings reach $43,505 ten years out. Set against $14,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Basin College placed #12 among the best values in Washington. Set in Pasco, WA, Columbia Basin College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,555, compared with $8,668 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,170 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,680 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,170 median debt.
Olympic College offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Based in Bremerton, WA, Olympic College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,472, compared with $9,740 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,497 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,169 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. This public school is set in Tacoma, WA. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $16,151. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,466 ten years after entry. Set against $16,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 82% of those who apply are admitted.
Centralia College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Centralia, WA, Centralia College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,266, while out-of-state students pay about $5,651. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,140 ten years after entry.
Seattle Community College North Campus landed the #16 spot for value in Washington this year. Located in Seattle, WA, Seattle Community College North Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,238, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Seattle Community College North Campus students take on a median of $16,643 in debt. Median earnings reach $47,728 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,643 median debt.
Spokane Falls Community College landed the #17 spot for value in Washington this year. Located in Spokane, WA, Spokane Falls Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Spokane Falls Community College students take on a median of $17,031 in debt. Median earnings reach $38,955 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Walla Walla Community College came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Walla Walla, WA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,279, with out-of-state students paying around $6,700. Graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,526. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lower Columbia College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Based in Longview, WA, Lower Columbia College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,626, with out-of-state students paying around $6,003. Students borrow a median of $14,340 to complete their program here. Lower Columbia College alumni report median earnings of $40,691 a decade after entry. Set against $14,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tacoma Community College placed #20 among the best values in Washington. Tacoma Community College is a public school based in Tacoma, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,507, compared with $11,646 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,822 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,168 ten years after entry. Set against $14,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shoreline Community College placed #21 among the best values in Washington. This public school is set in Shoreline, WA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,115, while out-of-state students pay about $7,905. The median program debt is $16,700. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,009 ten years after entry. Set against $16,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Puget Sound Community College came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Located in Olympia, WA, South Puget Sound Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,257, compared with $5,818 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,245 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Whatcom Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Whatcom Community College is a public school based in Bellingham, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,296, while out-of-state students pay about $11,435. The median program debt is $16,588. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,092. That is a strong return on a $16,588 median debt.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #24 among the best values in Washington. Based in Bothell, WA, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Graduates carry a median of $15,636 in student loans. University Of Washington Bothell Campus alumni report median earnings of $78,466 a decade after entry. Set against $15,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Clark College came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Set in Vancouver, WA, Clark College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,233, with out-of-state students paying around $11,183. Typical student debt is $15,432. Clark College alumni report median earnings of $42,356 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,432 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also delivered strong value this year:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 ranked schools only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 50 schools evaluated. References
More about our data sources and methodologies.