2026 Best Value Education Schools in Washington

1

Lake Washington Institute Of Technology
Kirkland, WA

Our analysis ranked Lake Washington Institute Of Technology the best value for a degree in education in Washington. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,997, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $33,869. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Renton Technical College
Renton, WA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Renton Technical College earned it the #2 place for education. Set in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,768. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Renton Technical College generally make around $80,411. That is a strong return on a $18,582 median debt.

3

Bates Technical College
Tacoma, WA

Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Bates Technical College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,027, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.

4

Clover Park Technical College
Lakewood, WA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clover Park Technical College earned it the #4 place for education. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,634 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,154. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Peninsula College
Port Angeles, WA

Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Peninsula College, which ranked #5. Peninsula College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Port Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $4,718, compared with $5,270 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,730 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Peninsula College generally make around $51,243. That is a strong return on a $12,730 median debt.

6

Skagit Valley College
Mount Vernon, WA

Skagit Valley College placed #6 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, compared with $7,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,056 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Skagit Valley College generally make around $44,860. Set against $14,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Spokane Falls Community College
Spokane, WA

Spokane Falls Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $25,777. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.

8

Columbia Basin College
Pasco, WA

Columbia Basin College placed #8 among the best values for education. Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pasco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,555, while out-of-state students pay about $8,668. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,170. Early-career education graduates make about $63,976. That is a strong return on a $17,170 median debt.

9

Olympic College
Bremerton, WA

Olympic College earned the #9 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,472, compared with $9,740 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $11,497 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $57,593. Set against $11,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Centralia College
Centralia, WA

Centralia College came in at #10 for value in education this year. Centralia College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Centralia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,266, compared with $5,651 for out-of-state students. Early-career education graduates make about $77,740.

11

Walla Walla Community College
Walla Walla, WA

Walla Walla Community College came in at #11 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Walla Walla, Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,279 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,700. Education graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Walla Walla Community College generally make around $46,131. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Seattle Community College North Campus
Seattle, WA

Seattle Community College North Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,238, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Students borrow a median of $13,404 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Seattle Community College North Campus generally make around $42,672. Set against $13,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Lower Columbia College
Longview, WA

Lower Columbia College earned the #13 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Longview, Lower Columbia College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,626, while out-of-state students pay about $6,003. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,340. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Lower Columbia College generally make around $53,280. That is a strong return on a $14,340 median debt.

14

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #14 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Education graduates carry a median of $15,729 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $71,227 early in their careers. Set against $15,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

15

Tacoma Community College
Tacoma, WA

Tacoma Community College placed #15 among the best values for education. Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. In-state tuition and fees average $5,507, compared with $11,646 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,822 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Tacoma Community College generally make around $41,732. Set against $14,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

South Puget Sound Community College
Olympia, WA

South Puget Sound Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Olympia, South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,818. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,245. Early-career education graduates make about $39,430. Set against $14,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom
Lakewood, WA

Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom placed #17 among the best values for education. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public school located in the city of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,418, while out-of-state students pay about $5,976. Students borrow a median of $23,365 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $55,849. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Whatcom Community College
Bellingham, WA

Whatcom Community College came in at #18 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Whatcom Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,296, compared with $11,435 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $16,588 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $51,466. Set against $16,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Clark College
Vancouver, WA

Clark College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,233, compared with $11,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,432. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Clark College generally make around $28,118. Set against $15,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Yakima Valley Community College
Yakima, WA

Yakima Valley Community College earned the #20 position for value in education this year. Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Yakima. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,312, with out-of-state students paying around $5,873. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,649. Education graduates of Yakima Valley Community College earn a median of $49,625 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Everett Community College
Everett, WA

Everett Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,032, while out-of-state students pay about $11,171. Students borrow a median of $13,542 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Everett Community College generally make around $47,441. Set against $13,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Wenatchee Valley College
Wenatchee, WA

Wenatchee Valley College landed the #22 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Wenatchee, Wenatchee Valley College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,552 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,462. Education graduates of Wenatchee Valley College earn a median of $55,642 early in their careers. Set against $11,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Highline Community College
Des Moines, WA

Highline Community College earned the #23 position for value in education this year. Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Des Moines. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, compared with $5,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,958. Early-career education graduates make about $55,459. That is a strong return on a $8,958 median debt.

24

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #24 spot for education value this year. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Students borrow a median of $15,729 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $60,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

25

Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA

Bellevue College earned the #25 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Bellevue, Bellevue College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,436, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Education graduates carry a median of $18,839 in student loans. Education graduates of Bellevue College earn a median of $67,771 early in their careers. Set against $18,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.