Upon graduating from high school, most students look into college admission. Many factors need to be considered since such a choice can determine their whole lives. Moreover, you must also think about the location, field of study, and costs before applying.
Despite your constant worry about costs, paying for college doesn’t have to mean being in debt for the rest of your life. A wide array of schools offer cheap tuition fees and various financial aid packages, which can make deciding to enroll much easier. For example, the state of Washington has many cheap colleges in beautiful locations.
TThe state of Washington is incredibly popular with international students. It epitomizes the American lifestyle in a safe and friendly environment. Because of the diversity of this state, each college has professional advisors to help international students settle into life here.
That’s why we listed some of the cheapest universities in Washington in this article to help you choose the school that best suits you.
Affordable Schools in Washington for International Students
1. Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Lake Washington Institute of Technology is the only public tech institute in Washington, established in 1949. Kirkland is home to companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Nintendo. If you are looking for opportunities at these companies, it would be advantageous to attend this institution to be selected for an internship.
Despite being relatively small, Lake Washington Institute of Technology’s tuition fees are incredibly low. It has seven schools offering various programs: the School of Business, the School of Engineering and Manufacturing, the School of IT, the School of Health Sciences, the School of Education, the School of Design, and the School of Transportation Technology.
Moreover, since the college only has 12 applied bachelor’s degrees, your educational needs must be specific if you want to pursue your undergraduate studies here.
2. Bellevue College
Bellevue College is the third-largest institute of higher learning in Washington. Located in a 100-acre wooded area, it combines a beautiful location with a solid education. Its highest-enrolled programs are business, accounting, and IT. The college emphasizes the quality of transfer degrees. Many students who attend here transfer with a junior status after earning associate degrees.
The tuition at this university in Washington is very cheap, which no doubt entices many people from Washington State. Its out-of-state and international fees are also low compared to other state’s costs.
3. Central Washington University
Central Washington University is ranked among the top 40 schools in the West for providing quality education at an affordable price. It offers over 135 majors and more than 30 master’s programs, the most famous of which are elementary education and teaching and general psychology. If on-campus studying is not an option, this university is one of Washington’s top two online colleges.
Although its out-of-state and international tuition fees are more than three times the amount of in-state fees, the university welcomed more than 400 students from 36 countries just last year, which gives an idea of the quality of education it provides.
4. Northwest Indian College
Only 20 miles south of the Canadian border, Northwest Indian College provides specific education for Native Indians. It is an accredited tribal college serving Washington State. Its most popular programs include native studies leadership, tribal governance, and business management. The college’s ethic promotes Indigenous self-determination and knowledge.
Because of the specific nature of these colleges’ degree programs, they are unlikely to attract people from out-of-state or other countries. That’s why their tuition fees do not vary depending on the student’s location. Although a very niche college, it is important to include this institution as it provides an essential education at a very affordable price.
Only 20 miles south of the Canadian border, Northwest Indian College provides specific education for Native Indians. It is an accredited tribal college serving Washington State. Its most popular programs include native studies leadership, tribal governance, and business management. The college’s ethic promotes Indigenous self-determination and knowledge.
Because of the specific nature of these colleges’ degree programs, they are unlikely to attract people from out-of-state or other countries. That’s why their tuition fees do not vary depending on the student’s location. Although a very niche college, it is important to include this institution as it provides an essential education at a very affordable price.
5. The Evergreen State College
The Evergreen State College takes a slightly different approach to learning than other colleges in the U.S. Instead of basing a student’s progress purely on grades, it focuses on narrative evaluations. The structure of its educational system also allows students to combine a variety of different academic programs.
According to Washington Monthly, Evergreen is the third-best university for completing a Master’s degree. They pride themselves on their Master of Environmental Studies program. With all of these accreditations, it is no wonder that the out-of-state and international fees are so high compared to other colleges in the state. However, it is the second cheapest university in Washington regarding in-state tuition and fees.
6. Columbia Basin College
Columbia Basin College offers a variety of programs, including one-year certificates and two-year and four-year degrees. It is important to note that it provides English as a second language as one of its programs. Although not a very well-known college, it has impressive attributes. The school is home to the Bechtel National Planetarium, the Elisabeth Moore Observatory, and a research farm.
While it’s considered an affordable institution in Washington, its quality of education is not to be scoffed at. The difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition fees is minimal, and the college is certainly worth looking into if you are not eligible for financial aid.
7. Seattle Central College
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: $127.59 – $247.61/credit hour (In-State) | $145.79 – $265.81/credit hour (Out-State) | $328.13 – $695.59/credit hour (International)
Another cheap institution in Washington is Seattle Central College, a thriving institution that attracts many students worldwide. The institution is relatively diverse, as the student population comprises Asians, Black/African Americans, Hispanics, and more nationalities.
SCC is one of the most diverse colleges in Washington State, with students from over 80 countries. The college has an AANAPISI Program for Asian and Pacific Islander Students that aligns with its cultural diversity. Social Science/STEM is the most popular degree program here.
It is no wonder that this college is one of the most diverse. Not only are they the same, but they are some of the lowest in Washington. If you are considering moving to the U.S. from an Asian country, this college would be a very comfortable place to receive an education and immerse yourself slowly into American life.
8. Shoreline Community College
Shoreline Community College offers more than 100 programs, courses, and degrees. Moreover, it’s also home to over 900 international students worldwide. While attending this cheap institution in Washington, students can participate in various shows and events throughout the year.
Moreover, this college offers most of its students dozens of scholarships and financial aid packages. Thousands of deserving students have benefitted the Shoreline Community College Foundation. Applying for scholarships, in addition to federal and state grants and loans, can reduce or eliminate some of your education expenses.
9. Pierce College
Pierce College is one of the most prominent colleges in Washington, with over 17,000 students each year. This institution has many campuses throughout the state and offers various STEM, healthcare, education, business, arts, humanities, and communication courses.
Moreover, this school is accredited by various agencies, which helps it offer its students scholarships and university admission. Among the top five community colleges in the country, Pierce College was recognized in 2019 as one of the finalists for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.
10. North Seattle College
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: $127.59 – $247.61/credit hour (In-State) | $145.79 – $265.81/credit hour (Out-State) | $328.13 – $695.59/credit hour (International)
North Seattle College was founded in 1970 and enrolls over 14,000 students yearly. Due to its proximity to the train stations, malls, and the famous Greenlake Park, this school is a popular choice for many prospective students looking for quality teaching and a good location.
This affordable institution offers more than 40 career training, continuing education, degrees, and college preparation programs. Moreover, its curriculum has exceptional career training in certificate programs, specifically in developing industries such as control technology and sustainable and conventional energy.
11. Tacoma Community College
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: $127.59 – $247.61/credit hour (In-State) | $145.79 – $265.81/credit hour (Out-State) | $328.13 – $695.59/credit hour (International)
Tacoma Community College offers degrees, certificates, English learning, high school credits, and many more programs. Since its foundation in 1965, TCC has provided over 500,000 students the chance to receive a high-quality college education at a reasonable price.
This cheap institution in Washington is open to all students, regardless of their nationality and citizenship, due to its 100% admission rate. Furthermore, this school offers a wide array of scholarships and financial aid, and the majority of its students are eligible.
12. Olympic College
Olympic College, located in Bremerton, was founded in 1946. Its Poulsbo, Bremerton, and Shelton campuses accommodate 8,500 students annually. The school also has many students associated with the military, making it one of the state’s institutions with the highest military-affiliated student populations.
The college offers college transfers, degrees, certificates, and five bachelor’s programs in various fields of study. Moreover, this public community college allows its students to adjust their class schedules and tuition payments so everyone can afford to attend.
13. Renton Technical College
Since its foundation 75 years ago, Renton Technical College has been one of the best community colleges in the United States. The school offers courses in culinary arts, business management, and health and human services, to name a few.
Moreover, this technical college also offers the English Language Acquisition (ELA) Foundations program, which assists immigrants and refugees in learning courses focused on developing proficiency in reading, speaking, writing, listening, and technology.
This technical college assures that its students have an 85% guaranteed job placement after graduating and helps them acquire various internship positions.
14. Peninsula College
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: $127.59 – $247.61/credit hour (In-State) | $145.79 – $265.81/credit hour (Out-State) | $328.13 – $695.59/credit hour (International)
Peninsula College, one of the cheapest colleges in Washington, was established in 1961 and is located in Port Angeles. It offers bachelor’s and associate degrees, transfer programs, professional training, and many more. Moreover, it offers online classes and distance learning for those who cannot attend classes physically.
Peninsula College received accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and was reaffirmed to grant associate and bachelor’s degrees in 2018. It’s a relatively small college, serving around 2,000 students per year, which makes it appealing to those who prefer smaller classrooms and close contact with their professors.
15. Spokane Community College
Spokane Community College is one of the largest community colleges in Washington. Its famous programs include cosmetology, healthcare, culinary arts, welding, and many more.
At SCC, you can get an associate’s degree and enroll in a program that is transferable to a four-year university. This cheap college in Washington also owns six campuses throughout Spokane and gives its students support and scholarships for other four-year colleges or universities.
Overall, Washington is a fantastic location of choice for any student. It combines natural beauty with a lively, young scene in the urban areas. Moreover, this diverse state is especially popular with international students, creating a beautiful society of cultural diversity. It also has a variety of opportunities to suit everyone’s needs, so start applying for universities now in Washington if you’re interested!
We hope this article on the cheapest universities in Washington was helpful. If you are interested in studying in the United States, check out the Study in the USA page and the Available Programs for International Students in the USA.
