2023 Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
With all the nursing programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Our analysis looked at 25 schools in Washington to see which associate degree programs offered the best value experiences for nursing students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Bellevue College to be the best value school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in Washington. BC is located in Bellevue, Washington and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 86 associate degrees to qualified students.
BC undergraduate students pay an average of $9,594 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,785 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at BC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 98% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
BC also made our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington list, coming in at #3.
The excellent associate degree programs at Highline College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in Washington. Located in Des Moines, Washington, the small public school handed out 142 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Highline undergraduate students pay an average of $4,813 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,827 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Highline does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 75% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Highline is ranked #1 for overall quality in Washington.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Everett Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Everett Community College is a public institution located in Everett, Washington. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 130 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Everett Community College are $9,597 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,889 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Everett Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 93% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 25 schools in Washington that were part of this year’s value ranking, Shoreline Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Shoreline Community College is a public institution located in Shoreline, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 96 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Shoreline Community College are $7,013 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,378 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Shoreline Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
In addition to its great value ranking, Shoreline Community College is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington list.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Seattle Central College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Seattle, Washington, the small public school handed out 145 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Seattle Central are $4,670 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,671 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Seattle Central. In 2019-2020 about 69% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Seattle Central also made our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington list, coming in at #2.
Spokane Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Spokane Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Spokane, Washington that handed out 88 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Spokane Community College are $5,135 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $19,615 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Spokane Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 65% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Centralia College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Centralia College is located in Centralia, Washington and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Centralia College are $5,239 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,250 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Centralia College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 66% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Centralia College did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington list.
Wenatchee Valley College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Located in Wenatchee, Washington, the small public school handed out 52 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WVC are $4,734 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,116 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at WVC. In 2019-2020 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Lower Columbia College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. LCC is a small public school situated in Longview, Washington. It awarded 111 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at LCC are $5,403 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,286 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at LCC. In fact, around 95% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #10, Olympic College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Bremerton, Washington, the small public school handed out 83 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at OC are $9,638 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,984 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at OC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 83% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Lake Washington Institute of Technology came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Kirkland, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 70 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LWTech are $10,146 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $18,212 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since LWTech does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 75% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #12, Clark College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Vancouver, Washington, the medium-sized public school awarded 87 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Clark College are $10,133 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,435 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Clark College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.
Bellingham Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #13 on the list. This small public school is located in Bellingham, Washington, and it awarded 72 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute undergraduate students pay an average of $5,227 in tuition and fees each year.
Online courses are available at Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Skagit Valley College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Skagit Valley College is a small public school located in Mount Vernon, Washington that handed out 55 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Skagit Valley College are $7,507 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,784 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Skagit Valley College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 75% took at least some of their classes online.
Walla Walla Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Walla Walla Community College is a small public school located in Walla Walla, Washington that handed out 92 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Walla Walla Community College are $6,350 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $19,336 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Walla Walla Community College. In fact, around 53% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #16, Yakima Valley College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Yakima, Washington, the small public school awarded 57 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
YVC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,352 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,170 in loans while pursuing their degree.
YVC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Tacoma Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Tacoma Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Tacoma, Washington that handed out 97 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Tacoma Community College are $10,391 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,893 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Tacoma Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 85% took at least some of their classes online.
Big Bend Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Moses Lake, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Big Bend Community College are $5,098 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,909 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Big Bend Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 85% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Grays Harbor College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Located in Aberdeen, Washington, the small public school awarded 27 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at GHC are $10,040 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,310 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at GHC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 82% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Columbia Basin College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. CBC is located in Pasco, Washington and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 50 associate degrees to qualified students.
CBC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,735 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,312 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CBC. In fact, around 89% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, CBC is ranked #5 for overall quality in Washington.
Whatcom Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Whatcom Community College is located in Bellingham, Washington and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Whatcom Community College are $10,473 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,808 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Whatcom Community College. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
South Puget Sound Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. South Puget Sound Community College is located in Olympia, Washington and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 associate degrees to qualified students.
South Puget Sound Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,428 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,096 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at South Puget Sound Community College. In fact, around 88% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #23, Peninsula College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Port Angeles, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Peninsula College are $4,779 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,290 in student loans.
Peninsula College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #24, Renton Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Renton Technical College is located in Renton, Washington and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Renton Technical College are $6,131 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $19,632 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Renton Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 49% took at least some of their classes online.
Charter College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Charter College is a private for-profit institution located in Vancouver, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 77 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Charter College are $17,208 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $28,112 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Charter College. In 2019-2020 about 93% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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