Lake Washington Institute of Technology Photo - LWTech Logo

Best Washington Community Colleges

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 42 community colleges serving 165,936 students in Washington (34 public colleges and 8 private colleges).
The average tuition for community colleges in Washington is approximately $4,105 per year for in-state students and $7,359 for out-of-state students. (view national tuition costs).
The top-ranked community colleges in Washington include South Puget Sound Community College, Academy of Interactive Entertainment, and Big Bend Community College.
The average community college acceptance rate in Washington is 79% (compared to national acceptance rates).
Minority enrollment is 60%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 24:1.

Top-Ranked Washington Community Colleges (2026-27)

College
Location
Quick Facts
2011 Mottman Rd SW
Olympia, WA 98512
(360) 596-5440
Enrollment: 6,079 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Acceptance rate: 99% In-state tuition: $4,321 Out-state tuition: $9,556 Minority enrollment: 47%
Academy of Interactive Entertainment
Private not-for-profit
305 Harrison St Ste 405
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 428-6350
Enrollment: 47 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Acceptance rate: 42% Minority enrollment: 45%
Big Bend Community College
Public
7662 Chanute St NE
Moses Lake, WA 98837
(509) 793-2222
Enrollment: 1,857 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Acceptance rate: 75% In-state tuition: $4,150 Out-state tuition: $4,550 Minority enrollment: 62%
Everett Community College
Public
2000 Tower Street
Everett, WA 98201
(425) 388-9100
Enrollment: 6,698 students Student-teacher ratio: 32:1 Acceptance rate: 30% In-state tuition: $3,852 Out-state tuition: $9,261 Minority enrollment: 55%
Walla Walla Community College
Walla Walla Community College Photo - The Fourth of July is celebrated with fireworks over the Dietrich Dome on Walla Walla Community College's campus
Public
500 Tausick Way
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 522-2500
Enrollment: 2,967 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Acceptance rate: 100% In-state tuition: $4,203 Out-state tuition: $5,203 Minority enrollment: 51%
Bates Technical College
Bates Technical College Photo - Dental Assisting students learn in a real-world dental office, open to the public.
Public
1101 S Yakima Ave
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 680-7000
Enrollment: 4,083 students Student-teacher ratio: 32:1 Acceptance rate: 100% In-state tuition: $5,151 Out-state tuition: $5,151 Minority enrollment: 55%
Bellevue College
Public
3000 Landerholm Cir SE
Bellevue, WA 98007
(425) 564-1000
Enrollment: 12,485 students Student-teacher ratio: 32:1 Acceptance rate: 100% In-state tuition: $3,754 Out-state tuition: $8,944 Minority enrollment: 70%
Bellingham Technical College
Public
3028 Lindbergh Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 752-7000
Enrollment: 2,047 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Acceptance rate: 100% In-state tuition: $3,518 Out-state tuition: $8,708 Minority enrollment: 49%
Carrington College-Spokane
Private for-profit
10102 E. Knox Ave., Ste. 200
Spokane, WA 99206
(509) 462-3722
Enrollment: 353 students Student-teacher ratio: 39:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Cascadia College
Cascadia College Photo - Cascadia College logo
Public
18345 Campus Way NE
Bothell, WA 98011
(425) 352-8000
Enrollment: 2,380 students Student-teacher ratio: 34:1 In-state tuition: $4,356 Minority enrollment: 66%
Centralia College
Public
600 Centralia College Blvd.
Centralia, WA 98531
(360) 736-9391
Enrollment: 2,244 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 In-state tuition: $3,858 Out-state tuition: $4,272 Minority enrollment: 43%
Clark College
Public
1933 Fort Vancouver Way
Vancouver, WA 98663
(360) 992-2000
Enrollment: 7,463 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 In-state tuition: $3,653 Out-state tuition: $8,843 Minority enrollment: 46%
Clover Park Technical College
Public
4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW
Lakewood, WA 98499
(253) 589-5800
Enrollment: 3,408 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 In-state tuition: $5,617 Out-state tuition: $12,960 Minority enrollment: 62%
Columbia Basin College
Public
2600 N 20th Ave
Pasco, WA 99301
(509) 547-0511
Enrollment: 7,510 students Student-teacher ratio: 32:1 In-state tuition: $4,771 Out-state tuition: $6,858 Minority enrollment: 63%
Edmonds College
Edmonds College Photo - Edmonds Community College offers Associate of Science degrees with areas of emphasis in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geology and Earth Science, Physics, Computer Science, General Pre- Engineering, and the Pre-Engineering areas of Bioengineering: Chemical, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Industrial, and Materials Science.
Public
20000 68th Ave W
Lynnwood, WA 98036
(425) 640-1459
Enrollment: 6,549 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Acceptance rate: 50% In-state tuition: $4,462 Out-state tuition: $9,697 Minority enrollment: 68%
Grays Harbor College
Public
1620 Edward P Smith Drive
Aberdeen, WA 98520
(360) 532-9020
Enrollment: 1,577 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 In-state tuition: $3,939 Out-state tuition: $9,129 Minority enrollment: 46%
Green River College
Public
12401 SE 320th St
Auburn, WA 98092
(253) 833-9111
Enrollment: 7,967 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 In-state tuition: $4,495 Out-state tuition: $10,431 Minority enrollment: 72%
Highline College
Highline College Photo - Looking west from the plaza outside the library and student union.
Public
2400 S 240th St
Des Moines, WA 98198
(206) 878-3710
Enrollment: 5,592 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 In-state tuition: $4,000 Out-state tuition: $4,401 Minority enrollment: 82%
11605 132nd Ave NE
Kirkland, WA 98034
(425) 739-8100
Enrollment: 3,564 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Lower Columbia College
Lower Columbia College Photo - Lower Columbia College's state-of-the-art Health and Science Building
Public
1600 Maple Street
Longview, WA 98632
(360) 442-2311
Enrollment: 2,724 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 In-state tuition: $4,150 Out-state tuition: $4,665 Minority enrollment: 35%
North Seattle College
Public
9600 College Way North
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 934-3600
Enrollment: 5,569 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 In-state tuition: $3,862 Out-state tuition: $9,052 Minority enrollment: 67%
Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building
Private not-for-profit
42 N Water St
Port Hadlock, WA 98339
(360) 385-4948
Enrollment: 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Olympic College
Public
1600 Chester Ave
Bremerton, WA 98337
(360) 792-6050
Enrollment: 5,784 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 In-state tuition: $3,720 Out-state tuition: $4,137 Minority enrollment: 52%
Pacific Northwest Christian College
Private not-for-profit
3021 West Clearwater Avenue
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 420-4545
Enrollment: 130 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Peninsula College
Public
1502 E Lauridsen Blvd
Port Angeles, WA 98362
(360) 452-9277
Enrollment: 2,153 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 In-state tuition: $4,191 Out-state tuition: $4,591 Minority enrollment: 46%
Perry Technical Institute
Private not-for-profit
2011 W Washington Ave.
Yakima, WA 98903
(509) 453-0374
Enrollment: 1,072 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Pierce College District
Pierce College District Photo - Students gather outside the Gaspard Building on the Puyallup Campus.
Public
9401 Farwest Dr SW
Lakewood, WA 98498
(253) 964-6500
Enrollment: 8,137 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Acceptance rate: 75% In-state tuition: $3,777 Out-state tuition: $8,967 Minority enrollment: 62%
Pierce College-Puyallup
Public
9401 Farwest Dr SW
Lakewood, WA 98498
(253) 964-6500
Enrollment: 4,566 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 In-state tuition: $3,825 Out-state tuition: $9,015 Minority enrollment: 47%
Pima Medical Institute-Renton
Private for-profit
555 South Renton Village Place Suite 110
Renton, WA 98057
(425) 228-9600
Enrollment: 456 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Acceptance rate: 100% Minority enrollment: 68%
Pima Medical Institute-Seattle
Private for-profit
9709 Third Ave NE Suite 400
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 322-6100
Enrollment: 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Renton Technical College
Public
3000 NE Fourth St
Renton, WA 98056
(425) 235-2352
Enrollment: 2,824 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 In-state tuition: $4,735 Out-state tuition: $4,735 Minority enrollment: 78%
Seattle Central College
Public
1701 Broadway Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 934-3800
Enrollment: 5,396 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 In-state tuition: $3,893 Out-state tuition: $9,083 Minority enrollment: 76%
Shoreline Community College
Public
16101 Greenwood Ave N
Shoreline, WA 98133
(206) 546-4101
Enrollment: 4,477 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 In-state tuition: $3,963 Out-state tuition: $6,611 Minority enrollment: 68%
Skagit Valley College
Public
2405 E. College Way
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
(360) 416-7600
Enrollment: 4,028 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 In-state tuition: $4,200 Out-state tuition: $4,700 Minority enrollment: 59%
South Seattle College
Public
6000 16th Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98106
(206) 934-5300
Enrollment: 5,210 students Student-teacher ratio: 35:1 In-state tuition: $3,824 Out-state tuition: $9,014 Minority enrollment: 66%
Show 7 more community colleges in Washington (out of 42 total colleges)
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[+] Show Closed Community Colleges in Washington

Community Colleges in Washington (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
2323 Elliott Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 448-0900
Enrollment: 1,378 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Private-state tuition: $17,560 Minority enrollment: 80%
S 178 Stevens
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 467-1727
Enrollment: 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Acceptance rate: 74% Minority enrollment: 20%
1615 75th Street Sw, Suite 220
Everett, WA 98203
(425) 583-0200
Enrollment: 279 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Acceptance rate: 89% Private-state tuition: $18,048 Minority enrollment: 32%
13518 E Indiana Avenue
Spokane, WA 99216
(509) 926-2900
Enrollment: 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Acceptance rate: 93% Private-state tuition: $18,048 Minority enrollment: 22%

Overview

This State (WA)
Total Faculty
156 staff
Number of Programs Offered
18

Student Body

Total Enrollment
3,791 students

Showing 2013–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

Student-Teacher Ratio
24:1

Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

# Full-Time Students
1,835 students

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

# Part-Time Students
1,956 students

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

# Enrollment Undergraduate
3,741 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,835 students

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,956 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
150 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
% Asian
9%

Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% Hispanic
19%

Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% Black
6%

Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% White
40%

Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% Hawaiian
n/a
% Two or more races
8%
% Non Resident races
3%
% Unknown races
14%
Diversity Score
0.77

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
60.8%

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
36%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$36,300

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

In-State Tuition Fees
$4,105
Out-State Tuition Fees
$7,359
Private State Tuition Fees
n/a
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
70%

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

Median Debt for Graduates
$11,794

Showing 2008–2020. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Median Debt for Dropouts
$6,242

Showing 2008–2020. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Acceptance Rate
75%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many community colleges are located in Washington?
There are 42 community colleges serving 165,936 students in Washington.
How much do community colleges cost in Washington?
The average tuition for community colleges in Washington is approximately $4,105 per year for in-state students and $7,359 for out-of-state students.
What are the top-ranked community colleges in Washington?
The top-ranked community colleges in Washington include South Puget Sound Community College, Academy of Interactive Entertainment, and Big Bend Community College.
What is the community college acceptance rate in Washington?
The average community college acceptance rate in Washington is 79% (compared to national acceptance rates).
What is the community college diversity score in Washington?
Community colleges in Washington have a diversity score of 0.77, which is higher than the national average of 0.74 (compared to national diversity statistics).
How diverse are community colleges in Washington?
Community colleges in Washington have approximately 60% minority enrollment, with the majority being Hispanic.

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