Cheapest Computer and Information Sciences Colleges in Washington

Renton Technical College offers the state's most affordable Computer and Information Sciences program at just $5,051 net cost annually, while private institutions like Northwest University reach $25,161. This dramatic cost spread reflects Washington's mix of technical colleges, community colleges, and four-year universities serving students bound for careers at Amazon, Microsoft, and other tech giants headquartered in the region. The University of Washington system produces graduates earning $71,575 annually across its three campuses, with the flagship Seattle location maintaining an 83.7% graduation rate despite highly selective 47.5% admission standards. Community colleges like Spokane Falls charge only $4,058 in-state tuition, though graduation rates hover around 30%, while technical programs at Renton achieve 55% completion rates.

Programs

$5,051 – $35,506

Net Price Range

$66,995

Avg. Program Earnings

52.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

18 Computer and Information Sciences, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Renton Technical College Renton, Washington	$5,051	$6,723	55.0%
2	Spokane Falls Community College Spokane, Washington	$7,402	$4,058	30.4%
3	Centralia College Centralia, Washington	$7,600	$5,109	45.8%
4	Olympic College Bremerton, Washington	$7,755	$4,197	34.0%
5	Columbia Basin College Pasco, Washington	$8,302	$6,194	27.7%
6	University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, Washington	$10,017	$12,817	62.3%	88.4%
7	University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, Washington	$10,898	$12,559	68.2%	88.1%
8	Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington	$13,091	$8,353	47.2%	96.1%
9	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
10	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
11	Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington	$14,715	$9,192	49.9%	93.5%
12	Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington	$18,680	$9,286	65.5%	92.7%
13	Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, Washington	$21,370	$50,964	71.0%	88.9%
14	Saint Martin's University Lacey, Washington	$22,618	$44,210	57.1%	95.0%
15	Northwest University Kirkland, Washington	$25,161	$36,035	63.5%	94.3%
16	Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education Kirkland, Washington	$26,734	$14,652	30.8%
17	City University of Seattle Seattle, Washington	$35,049	$14,589	16.7%
18	Whitman College Walla Walla, Washington	$35,506	$61,492	81.0%	47.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Renton Technical College the cheapest option at $5,051 net cost?

Renton Technical College focuses specifically on career-ready skills training rather than traditional four-year degree requirements. The school's 55% graduation rate exceeds many community college programs in the state. Students complete concentrated coursework designed for immediate entry into Washington's tech workforce. The technical college model eliminates many general education requirements that drive up costs at universities.

How do University of Washington graduates earning $71,575 compare to other programs?

UW graduates significantly outpace the state average, earning nearly $25,000 more than Central Washington University graduates at $46,589. Western Washington University produces the highest-earning graduates at $81,333 annually. All three UW campuses report identical earnings figures of $71,575, suggesting consistent career outcomes regardless of location. These earnings reflect strong placement rates with major regional employers.

Is the graduation rate gap between community colleges and universities significant?

Community colleges show graduation rates between 27.7% and 45.8%, while universities range from 47.2% to 83.7%. University of Washington-Seattle achieves the highest completion rate at 83.7% but admits only 47.5% of applicants. Eastern Washington University accepts 96.1% of students but graduates just 47.2%. The pattern suggests that more selective admissions correlate with higher completion rates in computer science programs.

Does attending a Washington public university provide better value than private options?

Public universities offer significantly lower net costs, with UW-Tacoma at $10,017 compared to Pacific Lutheran at $21,370. However, private schools sometimes show higher graduation rates, with Pacific Lutheran at 71% versus Eastern Washington at 47.2%. Student debt loads remain similar, ranging from $15,127 at UW to $23,534 at Pacific Lutheran. The public option advantage becomes clear when considering the identical $71,575 earnings at UW campuses.

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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.