State cost ranking · DOE College Scorecard
Cheapest Colleges in Washington
According to U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data, 82 Washington colleges ranked by average net price, what students actually paid after grant and scholarship aid, not the published sticker price.
- $3,136
- Cheapest net price
- $14,091
- Washington median
- 82
- Schools ranked
Data updated June 2026 · IPEDS 2022–23 vintage
The list in one line
Northwest Indian College has the lowest average net price in Washington at $3,136/year, and the state's median net price is 18% below the $17,083 national median across 4,942 schools.
- $3,136
- cheapest ranked net price
- $14,091
- Washington median net price
- 42 public / 40 private
- schools in this ranking
- $14,614
- avg net price, <$30K income families
Average net price is the institution-reported average amount students actually paid after all grant and scholarship aid, not counting loans that must be repaid. A very low figure at a specialty or religious institution can reflect a narrow enrollment mix rather than typical affordability, check the sector label and enrollment before comparing.
Sticker tuition and real net price diverge most at Pacific Lutheran University, where in-state published tuition of $52,254 falls to an average net price of $19,589 after aid, a $32,665 gap. This is the widest sticker-to-net-price gap among ranked Washington schools, and a reminder that published tuition alone is a poor guide to what most admitted students actually pay.
Across all 82 ranked Washington schools, 42 are public institutions and 40 are private (nonprofit or for-profit). Sector is shown next to every school below because a low sticker-adjacent price at a small religious, seminary, or specialty school can reflect an unusual enrollment mix rather than broad affordability, check enrollment and sector before drawing conclusions from rank alone.
Average net price also blends every income bracket into one figure, so a family's own bracket can land well above or below the number shown here. Federal reporting requires an institution to have enough surveyed aid recipients in a bracket before that bracket is published, so a very small school can show only a partial income-bracket breakdown even when its overall average net price is fully reported. Use the school's own profile page for the full income-bracket table before treating a single average as a personal cost estimate.
Washington's 25 cheapest colleges by real net price
| # | College | Avg net price | Net price (<$30K income) | Median debt | Median earnings, 6yr | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwest Indian College Bellingham, WA · Public | $3,136 93% of the leader · rank #1 | $2,630 | - | $29,768 | 696 |
| 2 | Grays Harbor College Aberdeen, WA · Public | $4,783 89% of the leader · rank #2 | $2,988 | $11,075 | $33,119 | 1,663 |
| 3 | Spokane Community College Spokane, WA · Public | $5,473 88% of the leader · rank #3 | $4,012 | $13,501 | $37,814 | 6,286 |
| 4 | Bellingham Technical College Bellingham, WA · Public | $5,997 87% of the leader · rank #4 | $4,587 | $17,459 | $43,235 | 1,850 |
| 5 | South Seattle College Seattle, WA · Public | $6,004 86% of the leader · rank #5 | $5,744 | - | $43,070 | 5,295 |
| 6 | Skagit Valley College Mount Vernon, WA · Public | $6,064 86% of the leader · rank #6 | $4,337 | $13,805 | $36,892 | 4,098 |
| 7 | Bates Technical College Tacoma, WA · Public | $6,292 86% of the leader · rank #7 | $4,403 | - | $45,569 | 3,817 |
| 8 | Stylemaster College of Hair Design Longview, WA · Private for-profit | $6,773 85% of the leader · rank #8 | $6,387 | $8,953 | $20,770 | 64 |
| 9 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology Kirkland, WA · Public | $6,817 85% of the leader · rank #9 | $5,255 | $15,047 | $44,895 | 3,357 |
| 10 | Olympic College Bremerton, WA · Public | $7,172 84% of the leader · rank #10 | $4,214 | $12,000 | $34,510 | 5,413 |
| 11 | Spokane Falls Community College Spokane, WA · Public | $7,409 83% of the leader · rank #11 | $4,477 | $12,000 | $34,393 | 3,903 |
| 12 | Lower Columbia College Longview, WA · Public | $7,630 83% of the leader · rank #12 | $6,078 | $10,506 | $36,296 | 2,412 |
| 13 | Renton Technical College Renton, WA · Public | $8,296 81% of the leader · rank #13 | $7,034 | $7,920 | $45,679 | 3,060 |
| 14 | Columbia Basin College Pasco, WA · Public | $8,317 81% of the leader · rank #14 | $7,010 | $14,829 | $38,255 | 6,729 |
| 15 | Tacoma Community College Tacoma, WA · Public | $8,376 81% of the leader · rank #15 | $7,112 | $13,000 | $38,790 | 5,771 |
| 16 | Shoreline Community College Shoreline, WA · Public | $8,585 81% of the leader · rank #16 | $7,390 | $12,021 | $43,123 | 4,460 |
| 17 | Seattle Central College Seattle, WA · Public | $8,819 80% of the leader · rank #17 | $7,883 | $12,000 | $39,072 | 5,210 |
| 18 | South Puget Sound Community College Olympia, WA · Public | $9,132 79% of the leader · rank #18 | $7,757 | $11,000 | $37,270 | 4,252 |
| 19 | Peninsula College Port Angeles, WA · Public | $9,246 79% of the leader · rank #19 | $8,721 | $15,786 | $34,154 | 1,837 |
| 20 | Walla Walla Community College Walla Walla, WA · Public | $9,406 79% of the leader · rank #20 | $8,224 | $14,000 | $37,119 | 2,982 |
| 21 | Wenatchee Valley College Wenatchee, WA · Public | $9,722 78% of the leader · rank #21 | $7,094 | $10,332 | $37,011 | 2,819 |
| 22 | Centralia College Centralia, WA · Public | $9,862 78% of the leader · rank #22 | $8,471 | - | $35,989 | 2,335 |
| 23 | Clover Park Technical College Lakewood, WA · Public | $9,864 78% of the leader · rank #23 | $8,515 | $12,112 | $36,840 | 3,040 |
| 24 | Highline College Des Moines, WA · Public | $9,879 78% of the leader · rank #24 | $8,984 | $9,500 | $42,323 | 5,126 |
| 25 | Pacific Northwest Christian College Kennewick, WA · Private nonprofit | $10,041 77% of the leader · rank #25 | $8,129 | - | - | 129 |
See all 82 ranked Washington schools →
| # | College | Avg net price | Net price (<$30K income) | Median debt | Median earnings, 6yr | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WA · Public | $10,163 77% of the leader · rank #26 | $4,458 | $14,615 | $62,979 | 4,777 |
| 27 | Pierce College District Lakewood, WA · Public | $10,222 77% of the leader · rank #27 | $7,816 | $12,000 | $39,406 | 7,427 |
| 28 | Centralia Beauty College Centralia, WA · Private for-profit | $10,447 76% of the leader · rank #28 | $7,278 | - | - | 88 |
| 29 | Everett Community College Everett, WA · Public | $10,684 76% of the leader · rank #29 | $8,798 | $10,417 | $39,316 | 6,211 |
| 30 | North Seattle College Seattle, WA · Public | $10,740 76% of the leader · rank #30 | $9,241 | $15,458 | $46,383 | 5,017 |
| 31 | Edmonds College Lynnwood, WA · Public | $11,010 75% of the leader · rank #31 | $9,133 | $11,855 | $41,063 | 6,028 |
| 32 | Bellevue College Bellevue, WA · Public | $11,430 74% of the leader · rank #32 | $9,500 | $12,375 | $47,460 | 11,472 |
| 33 | Clark College Vancouver, WA · Public | $11,465 74% of the leader · rank #33 | $8,773 | $10,881 | $37,411 | 7,149 |
| 34 | Whatcom Community College Bellingham, WA · Public | $11,795 73% of the leader · rank #34 | $9,814 | $10,643 | $38,429 | 3,490 |
| 35 | Yakima Valley College Yakima, WA · Public | $11,843 73% of the leader · rank #35 | $10,543 | $13,966 | $35,969 | 3,523 |
| 36 | Big Bend Community College Moses Lake, WA · Public | $12,210 73% of the leader · rank #36 | $10,060 | $9,166 | $35,267 | 1,786 |
| 37 | Cascadia College Bothell, WA · Public | $12,281 72% of the leader · rank #37 | $10,480 | $6,368 | $44,620 | 2,013 |
| 38 | University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, WA · Public | $12,319 72% of the leader · rank #38 | $5,573 | $14,615 | $62,979 | 5,809 |
| 39 | KaiStar Federal Way, WA · Private for-profit | $13,711 69% of the leader · rank #39 | $11,732 | $10,555 | $30,632 | 151 |
| 40 | Green River College Auburn, WA · Public | $13,803 69% of the leader · rank #40 | $11,415 | $11,891 | $43,127 | 7,361 |
| 41 | Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA · Public | $13,886 69% of the leader · rank #41 | $9,547 | $19,500 | $46,469 | 10,741 |
| 42 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA · Public | $14,091 68% of the leader · rank #42 | $6,384 | $14,615 | $62,979 | 55,620 |
| 43 | Evergreen Beauty and Barber College-Everett Everett, WA · Private for-profit | $14,149 68% of the leader · rank #43 | $13,293 | $7,917 | $25,480 | 1,019 |
| 44 | Elite Cosmetology, Barber & Spa Academy Yakima, WA · Private for-profit | $14,513 67% of the leader · rank #44 | $14,376 | $6,966 | - | 55 |
| 45 | Heritage University Toppenish, WA · Private nonprofit | $14,598 67% of the leader · rank #45 | $15,114 | $14,573 | $47,001 | 835 |
| 46 | Washington State University Pullman, WA · Public | $14,971 66% of the leader · rank #46 | $7,074 | $19,500 | $53,510 | 26,490 |
| 47 | Northwest HVAC/R Training Center Spokane, WA · Private nonprofit | $15,590 65% of the leader · rank #47 | $16,645 | $9,500 | $43,961 | 49 |
| 48 | Northwest College of Art & Design Tacoma, WA · Private for-profit | $16,418 63% of the leader · rank #48 | $12,977 | $30,750 | $27,505 | 150 |
| 49 | International Beauty Education Center Airway Heights, WA · Private for-profit | $17,415 61% of the leader · rank #49 | $17,370 | $7,746 | - | 111 |
| 50 | Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA · Public | $18,476 58% of the leader · rank #50 | $11,846 | $19,500 | $49,398 | 8,796 |
| 51 | Studio Beauty School Spokane Valley, WA · Private for-profit | $18,911 57% of the leader · rank #51 | $18,593 | $6,582 | $20,434 | 106 |
| 52 | Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WA · Private nonprofit | $19,589 56% of the leader · rank #52 | $13,609 | $22,578 | $52,212 | 2,737 |
| 53 | Perry Technical Institute Yakima, WA · Private nonprofit | $20,047 55% of the leader · rank #53 | $18,011 | $14,139 | $57,387 | 973 |
| 54 | Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Shoreline Shoreline, WA · Private for-profit | $20,286 54% of the leader · rank #54 | $19,745 | $9,090 | $28,720 | 127 |
| 55 | Great Northern University Spokane, WA · Private nonprofit | $21,029 53% of the leader · rank #55 | $19,898 | - | - | 36 |
| 56 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WA · Public | $21,193 52% of the leader · rank #56 | $12,915 | $18,500 | $45,272 | 14,651 |
| 57 | Victoria's Academy of Cosmetology Kennewick, WA · Private for-profit | $22,095 50% of the leader · rank #57 | $21,479 | $7,830 | $24,761 | 28 |
| 58 | Northwest University Kirkland, WA · Private nonprofit | $22,288 50% of the leader · rank #58 | $17,996 | $20,891 | $50,495 | 999 |
| 59 | Paul Mitchell the School-Spokane Spokane Valley, WA · Private for-profit | $22,646 49% of the leader · rank #59 | $20,869 | $10,556 | $25,589 | 195 |
| 60 | Faith International University Tacoma, WA · Private nonprofit | $22,662 49% of the leader · rank #60 | $22,662 | $17,650 | $52,989 | 370 |
| 61 | Walla Walla University College Place, WA · Private nonprofit | $23,329 48% of the leader · rank #61 | $18,675 | $26,842 | $52,840 | 1,397 |
| 62 | Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Seattle Seattle, WA · Private for-profit | $23,787 46% of the leader · rank #62 | $23,275 | $7,773 | $35,333 | 157 |
| 63 | The Evergreen State College Olympia, WA · Public | $24,319 45% of the leader · rank #63 | $22,079 | $20,500 | $34,774 | 2,320 |
| 64 | Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WA · Private nonprofit | $24,488 45% of the leader · rank #64 | $20,735 | $24,000 | $51,496 | 2,659 |
| 65 | Summit Salon Academy Tacoma, WA · Private for-profit | $25,471 43% of the leader · rank #65 | $23,204 | $9,785 | $26,625 | 148 |
| 66 | Whitworth University Spokane, WA · Private nonprofit | $26,534 40% of the leader · rank #66 | $16,788 | $25,000 | $49,510 | 2,345 |
| 67 | Paul Mitchell the School-Richland Richland, WA · Private for-profit | $26,617 40% of the leader · rank #67 | $25,866 | $9,917 | $23,104 | 288 |
| 68 | Saint Martin's University Lacey, WA · Private nonprofit | $28,119 37% of the leader · rank #68 | $22,810 | $22,500 | $57,998 | 1,505 |
| 69 | Pima Medical Institute-Seattle Seattle, WA · Private for-profit | $31,016 30% of the leader · rank #69 | $30,965 | $9,500 | $37,302 | 450 |
| 70 | Pima Medical Institute-Renton Renton, WA · Private for-profit | $31,578 29% of the leader · rank #70 | $31,507 | $9,500 | $37,302 | 400 |
| 71 | Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building Port Hadlock, WA · Private nonprofit | $32,033 28% of the leader · rank #71 | $31,328 | - | $45,516 | 43 |
| 72 | Whitman College Walla Walla, WA · Private nonprofit | $33,313 25% of the leader · rank #72 | $13,567 | $18,437 | $45,594 | 1,544 |
| 73 | Academy of Interactive Entertainment Seattle, WA · Private nonprofit | $34,626 22% of the leader · rank #73 | $29,494 | $12,000 | $39,209 | 76 |
| 74 | Seattle University Seattle, WA · Private nonprofit | $34,662 22% of the leader · rank #74 | $22,896 | $19,883 | $64,656 | 7,182 |
| 75 | Gonzaga University Spokane, WA · Private nonprofit | $35,119 21% of the leader · rank #75 | $20,833 | $24,454 | $66,525 | 7,306 |
| 76 | Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education Kirkland, WA · Private nonprofit | $35,671 20% of the leader · rank #76 | $34,739 | $20,891 | $50,495 | 1,343 |
| 77 | UEI College-Tacoma Tacoma, WA · Private for-profit | $36,850 17% of the leader · rank #77 | $35,957 | $9,500 | $27,374 | 557 |
| 78 | University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA · Private nonprofit | $38,394 14% of the leader · rank #78 | $23,643 | $25,000 | $46,802 | 1,914 |
| 79 | Divers Institute of Technology Seattle, WA · Private for-profit | $39,337 11% of the leader · rank #79 | $38,044 | $9,500 | $56,726 | 279 |
| 80 | Seattle Film Institute Seattle, WA · Private for-profit | $41,595 6% of the leader · rank #80 | $39,209 | $13,000 | - | 81 |
| 81 | Carrington College-Spokane Spokane, WA · Private for-profit | $42,335 5% of the leader · rank #81 | $41,895 | $9,295 | $35,208 | 296 |
| 82 | DigiPen Institute of Technology Redmond, WA · Private for-profit | $44,446 4% of the leader · rank #82 | $28,354 | $27,000 | $58,771 | 1,100 |
What this means for you
Use Washington's ranking as a starting point, real net price depends on your specific financial-aid package.
- Northwest Indian College reports the lowest average net price in Washington, but "average" blends every income bracket, check your bracket's figure before assuming it applies to you. View Northwest Indian College
- See your specific school's in-state cost rank and nearest-price peers. My School Profile
- Compare campus safety alongside cost before deciding. Washington safety
Figures reflect the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard IPEDS 2022–23 release.
Average net price = the institution-reported average amount students actually paid after all grant and scholarship aid, excluding loans. Only schools with a reported average net price in the DOE College Scorecard dataset are ranked. Schools with fewer than 10 net-price-reporting institutions in a state or territory are not given a dedicated ranking page.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard IPEDS 2022–23
Every figure on PlainCampus is rendered directly from federal Clery Act source data, no number is typed in by an editor. Every ranked figure on this page is queried directly from the DOE College Scorecard dataset at request time; no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
PlainCampus is for informational purposes only and does not constitute safety, security, legal, or enrollment advice; the data describes reported on-campus activity, it is not a complete picture of safety at any campus and cannot predict any individual student's experience. See our appropriate use guidance.