Cheapest Business Administration Colleges in Washington

Grays Harbor College stands out among Washington's business programs with a net cost of just $3,149, making it nearly $1,000 cheaper than the next closest option. This creates an unusual pattern where coastal and rural community colleges deliver the most affordable business education, while graduation rates vary dramatically from 26.9% at Northwest Indian College to 62.3% at University of Washington-Tacoma. The affordability factor becomes particularly relevant given Washington's concentration of major employers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Boeing, where business administration skills translate directly to management opportunities in tech and aerospace sectors. Students can access quality business training at technical colleges like Clover Park and Bellingham Technical, which focus on applied management skills that align with the state's industry needs. The Washington College Grant further reduces costs for qualifying students, making these already affordable programs even more accessible for those pursuing careers in operations management and business administration.

Programs

$3,149 – $38,920

Net Price Range

$46,174

Avg. Program Earnings

47.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

36 Business Administration, Management and Operations Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Grays Harbor College Aberdeen, Washington	$3,149	$4,751	31.6%
2	Clover Park Technical College Lakewood, Washington	$3,912	$6,634	40.7%
3	Peninsula College Port Angeles, Washington	$4,529	$4,586	40.6%
4	Bellingham Technical College Bellingham, Washington	$4,971	$4,226	45.5%
5	Lake Washington Institute of Technology Kirkland, Washington	$5,886	$5,156	39.8%
6	Skagit Valley College Mount Vernon, Washington	$6,116	$5,620	33.6%
7	Spokane Falls Community College Spokane, Washington	$7,402	$4,058	30.4%
8	Centralia College Centralia, Washington	$7,600	$5,109	45.8%
9	Northwest Indian College Bellingham, Washington	$7,625	$3,969	26.9%
10	Olympic College Bremerton, Washington	$7,755	$4,197	34.0%
11	Columbia Basin College Pasco, Washington	$8,302	$6,194	27.7%
12	Walla Walla Community College Walla Walla, Washington	$8,343	$6,513	47.5%
13	Tacoma Community College Tacoma, Washington	$9,321	$4,920	32.8%
14	Clark College Vancouver, Washington	$9,826	$4,632	35.7%
15	University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, Washington	$10,017	$12,817	62.3%	88.4%
16	Pierce College District Lakewood, Washington	$10,123	$4,686	31.2%
17	Yakima Valley College Yakima, Washington	$10,402	$5,163	33.8%
18	University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, Washington	$10,898	$12,559	68.2%	88.1%
19	Heritage University Toppenish, Washington	$11,893	$19,920	39.8%
20	Green River College Auburn, Washington	$12,447	$4,580	41.2%
21	Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington	$13,091	$8,353	47.2%	96.1%
22	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
23	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
24	Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington	$14,715	$9,192	49.9%	93.5%
25	Faith International University Tacoma, Washington	$18,361	$8,850	66.7%
26	Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington	$18,680	$9,286	65.5%	92.7%
27	Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, Washington	$21,370	$50,964	71.0%	88.9%
28	Saint Martin's University Lacey, Washington	$22,618	$44,210	57.1%	95.0%
29	Walla Walla University College Place, Washington	$23,992	$33,027	64.2%
30	Northwest University Kirkland, Washington	$25,161	$36,035	63.5%	94.3%
31	Whitworth University Spokane, Washington	$25,884	$50,920	68.4%	90.5%
32	Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education Kirkland, Washington	$26,734	$14,652	30.8%
33	Great Northern University Spokane, Washington	$31,680	$17,700		85.7%
34	Seattle University Seattle, Washington	$34,802	$54,285	73.3%	85.2%
35	City University of Seattle Seattle, Washington	$35,049	$14,589	16.7%
36	University of Puget Sound Tacoma, Washington	$38,920	$59,900	67.9%	82.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Grays Harbor College so much cheaper than other Washington business programs?

Grays Harbor College offers the lowest net cost at $3,149, which is $763 less than the second cheapest option at Clover Park Technical College. The college's location in Aberdeen allows for lower operational costs compared to urban campuses. However, students should note the graduation rate of 31.6%, which falls in the middle range among these affordable options.

How do graduation rates compare among Washington's cheapest business programs?

Graduation rates span a wide range from 26.9% at Northwest Indian College to 62.3% at University of Washington-Tacoma. Walla Walla Community College leads among the most affordable options with a 47.5% graduation rate at just $8,343 net cost. Technical colleges like Bellingham Technical achieve 45.5% graduation rates while maintaining costs under $5,000.

Is the Washington College Grant available for these business programs?

Yes, the Washington College Grant covers tuition at all public colleges in the state for qualifying students. This means students attending schools like Peninsula College or Centralia College could see their costs reduced even further below the listed net prices. The grant particularly benefits students at community colleges where tuition represents a larger portion of total costs.

What earning potential exists for business graduates from these affordable programs?

Columbia Basin College graduates earn $48,265 annually while carrying debt of just $11,042, creating a favorable debt-to-income ratio. University of Washington-Tacoma graduates earn slightly more at $48,687 but carry higher debt at $13,654. The earnings range from $35,416 to $48,687 reflects the varying levels and types of business programs across these institutions.

Where do the most affordable business programs cluster geographically in Washington?

The cheapest options concentrate in smaller cities like Aberdeen, Lakewood, and Port Angeles rather than major metropolitan areas. This pattern reflects lower operational costs in rural areas, with schools like Grays Harbor, Clover Park Technical, and Peninsula College all under $5,000 net cost. Urban technical colleges in Bellingham and Kirkland still maintain reasonable costs between $4,971 and $5,886.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.