Find Healthcare Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Washington

Find Schools Near

2023 Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Washington

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

23 Schools Ranked
$7,194 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$17,346 Avg Student Debt*

With all the healthcare programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Healthcare Degree Search has created the Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Washington to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 23 schools in Washington to see which associate degree programs offered the best value experiences for healthcare students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. 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.

For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Washington

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Bellevue College

Bellevue, Washington
189 Total Awards
$9,594 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Bellevue College to be the best value school for healthcare students who want to pursue a associate degree in Washington. This fairly large public school is located in Bellevue, Washington, and it awarded 189 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at BC are $9,594 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,785 in student loans.

BC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 98% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

BC also made our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Washington list, coming in at #1.

Read More…

#2

Spokane Community College

Spokane, Washington
229 Total Awards
$5,135 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Spokane Community College is a great place for healthcare students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Spokane, Washington, the medium-sized public school awarded 229 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

Spokane Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,135 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $19,615 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Spokane Community 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 65% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Spokane Community College

#3

Highline College

Des Moines, Washington
189 Total Awards
$4,813 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 23 schools in Washington that were part of this year’s value ranking, Highline College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Highline College is a small public school located in Des Moines, Washington that handed out 189 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Highline undergraduate students pay an average of $4,813 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,827 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Highline 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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Highline also took the #3 spot in our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Washington rankings.

Read full report on Highline College

#4

Shoreline Community College

Shoreline, Washington
164 Total Awards
$7,013 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent associate degree programs at Shoreline Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value healthcare schools in Washington. Shoreline Community College is located in Shoreline, Washington and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 164 associate degrees to qualified students.

Shoreline Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,013 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $19,378 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Shoreline Community College. In 2019-2020 about 51% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Shoreline Community College did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Washington list.

Read full report on Shoreline Community College

#5

Seattle Central College

Seattle, Washington
191 Total Awards
$4,670 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Seattle Central College is a great place for healthcare students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Seattle Central College is a small public school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 191 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Seattle Central are $4,670 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,671 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that Seattle Central does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 69% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Seattle Central is ranked #4 for overall quality in Washington.

Full Seattle Central College Report

#6

Centralia College

Centralia, Washington
51 Total Awards
$5,239 Average Tuition & Fees

Centralia College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Centralia College is a small public school situated in Centralia, Washington. It awarded 51 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Centralia College are $5,239 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,250 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Centralia College. In 2019-2020 about 66% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Centralia College is ranked #2 for overall quality in Washington.

Read More…

#7

Wenatchee Valley College

Wenatchee, Washington
82 Total Awards
$4,734 Average Tuition & Fees

Wenatchee Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #7 on the list. WVC is a small public school situated in Wenatchee, Washington. It awarded 82 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WVC are $4,734 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,116 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

WVC 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, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

147 Total Awards
$10,146 Average Tuition & Fees

Lake Washington Institute of Technology came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. LWTech is located in Kirkland, Washington and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 147 associate degrees to qualified students.

LWTech undergraduate students pay an average of $10,146 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $18,212 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at LWTech. In 2019-2020 about 75% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#9

Lower Columbia College

Longview, Washington
136 Total Awards
$5,403 Average Tuition & Fees

Lower Columbia College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. LCC is a public institution located in Longview, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 136 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.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since LCC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Lower Columbia College Report

#10

Olympic College

Bremerton, Washington
118 Total Awards
$9,638 Average Tuition & Fees

Olympic College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. OC is a small public school situated in Bremerton, Washington. It awarded 118 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at OC are $9,638 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,984 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at OC. In 2019-2020 about 83% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Olympic College

#11

Bellingham Technical College

Bellingham, Washington
142 Total Awards
$5,227 Average Tuition & Fees

Bellingham Technical College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute is located in Bellingham, Washington and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 142 associate degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute are $5,227 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute does offer online classes for certain majors. 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.

Read More…

#12

Spokane Falls Community College

Spokane, Washington
61 Total Awards
$5,135 Average Tuition & Fees

Spokane Falls Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Spokane, Washington, the small public school handed out 61 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Spokane Falls Community College are $5,135 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,225 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Spokane Falls Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Spokane Falls Community College Report

#13

Tacoma Community College

Tacoma, Washington
177 Total Awards
$10,391 Average Tuition & Fees

Tacoma Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree healthcare programs. Tacoma Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Tacoma, Washington that handed out 177 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. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $18,893 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Tacoma Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 85% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#14

Clark College

Vancouver, Washington
130 Total Awards
$10,133 Average Tuition & Fees

Clark College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #14 on the list. Clark College is a medium-sized public school situated in Vancouver, Washington. It awarded 130 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Clark College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,133 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,435 in student loans.

Clark 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Clark College Report

#15

Whatcom Community College

Bellingham, Washington
88 Total Awards
$10,473 Average Tuition & Fees

Whatcom Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #15 on the list. This small public school is located in Bellingham, Washington, and it awarded 88 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Whatcom Community College are $10,473 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,808 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Whatcom Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Whatcom Community College Report

#16

Grays Harbor College

Aberdeen, Washington
40 Total Awards
$10,040 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #16, Grays Harbor College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. GHC is a small public school situated in Aberdeen, Washington. It awarded 40 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at GHC are $10,040 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,310 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

GHC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 82% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#17

Skagit Valley College

Mount Vernon, Washington
110 Total Awards
$7,507 Average Tuition & Fees

Skagit Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Mount Vernon, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 110 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Skagit Valley College are $7,507 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,784 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Skagit Valley 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. In fact, around 75% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#18

Yakima Valley College

Yakima, Washington
126 Total Awards
$5,352 Average Tuition & Fees

Yakima Valley College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree healthcare programs. YVC is a public institution located in Yakima, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 126 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at YVC are $5,352 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,170 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at YVC. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Yakima Valley College

#19

Columbia Basin College

Pasco, Washington
115 Total Awards
$7,735 Average Tuition & Fees

Columbia Basin College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Pasco, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 115 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CBC are $7,735 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,312 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at CBC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 89% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Columbia Basin College Report

#20

South Puget Sound Community College

Olympia, Washington
91 Total Awards
$10,428 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #20, South Puget Sound Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. South Puget Sound Community College is a small public school located in Olympia, Washington that handed out 91 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

South Puget Sound Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,428 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,096 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at South Puget Sound Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 88% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full South Puget Sound Community College Report

#21

Clover Park Technical College

Lakewood, Washington
127 Total Awards
$5,740 Average Tuition & Fees

Clover Park Technical College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Clover Park Technical College is a small public school located in Lakewood, Washington that handed out 127 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CPTC are $5,740 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,485 in loans while pursuing their degree.

CPTC 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, 35% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#22

Peninsula College

Port Angeles, Washington
52 Total Awards
$4,779 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #22, Peninsula College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Port Angeles, Washington, and it awarded 52 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Peninsula College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,779 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,290 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Online courses are available at Peninsula College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#23

Renton Technical College

Renton, Washington
82 Total Awards
$6,131 Average Tuition & Fees

Renton Technical College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree healthcare programs. Renton Technical College is a public institution located in Renton, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 82 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Renton Technical College are $6,131 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,632 in student loans.

Renton Technical College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 49% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Renton Technical College

Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region

View Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 23 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.

Featured Schools

Find Healthcare Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited healthcare schools across the U.S.