About Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Lake Washington Institute of Technology transforms students into skilled professionals through intensive, hands-on training programs. The school serves 2,179 students in Kirkland's tech-friendly suburbs, focusing on high-demand fields like aviation maintenance, health sciences, and information technology. Students work with industry-standard equipment and learn from instructors with real-world experience. The quarter system keeps pace fast and focused on practical skills rather than traditional academics.
Students pay an average net price of $5,886, making this one of the most affordable paths to a technical career. Graduates earn a median salary of $50,669 within ten years, easily justifying the typical debt load of $15,047. Low-income students pay just $4,219 net price, while even higher-income families rarely pay more than $15,351. Monthly loan payments average only $160, and the employment rate hits 94.3%. The return on investment beats most traditional colleges.
Women make up 60% of students, reflecting the school's strong health sciences and business programs alongside traditionally male-dominated trades. Nearly all students come from Washington state, creating a tight-knit community. The 17:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personal attention, though graduation rates of 42% reflect the demanding nature of technical programs and students who leave early for good jobs.
Students pay an average net price of $5,886, making this one of the most affordable paths to a technical career. Graduates earn a median salary of $50,669 within ten years, easily justifying the typical debt load of $15,047. Low-income students pay just $4,219 net price, while even higher-income families rarely pay more than $15,351. Monthly loan payments average only $160, and the employment rate hits 94.3%. The return on investment beats most traditional colleges.
Women make up 60% of students, reflecting the school's strong health sciences and business programs alongside traditionally male-dominated trades. Nearly all students come from Washington state, creating a tight-knit community. The 17:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personal attention, though graduation rates of 42% reflect the demanding nature of technical programs and students who leave early for good jobs.
Academics & Faculty
Lake Washington Institute of Technology focuses exclusively on hands-on technical education that prepares students for immediate employment. The college specializes in high-demand fields like aviation maintenance, dental hygiene, nursing, and cybersecurity. Students work with industry-standard equipment in programs designed with employer input. The 17:1 student-faculty ratio allows for personalized attention in lab-intensive courses. However, the 39.80% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenging nature of technical programs and the fact that many students attend part-time while working. The school's quarter system enables faster program completion. Graduates earn a median of $50,669 within ten years, demonstrating strong career outcomes in skilled trades and technical professions.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 97.8%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 41.9%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 39.8%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $50,669
- Carnegie Classification
- Baccalaureate/Associate College
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $65,797 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $64,659 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $51,482 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $49,729 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Associate | $43,798 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $38,289 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $37,568 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $35,594 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $29,685 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $28,816 |
Campus Life
Lake Washington Institute of Technology sits in Kirkland, about 10 miles northeast of Seattle. Students deal with the Pacific Northwest's signature drizzle and gray skies from October through April, so pack a good rain jacket. The campus lacks dormitories, which means nearly all of the 2,179 students commute daily. With 99.08% of students coming from in-state, most live within driving distance.
The 17:1 student-faculty ratio creates smaller, workshop-style classes where you'll work directly with industry equipment. Women make up 59.94% of enrollment, reflecting strong participation in health sciences programs alongside traditional technical fields. Students typically spend weekends working part-time jobs or internships rather than attending campus events, since the school focuses on career preparation over college social life. The quarter system keeps pace quick and intensive. Most socializing happens in program-specific labs where students collaborate on hands-on projects. Seattle's tech scene and outdoor recreation opportunities provide weekend alternatives, though the commuter nature means campus feels quiet after classes end.
The 17:1 student-faculty ratio creates smaller, workshop-style classes where you'll work directly with industry equipment. Women make up 59.94% of enrollment, reflecting strong participation in health sciences programs alongside traditional technical fields. Students typically spend weekends working part-time jobs or internships rather than attending campus events, since the school focuses on career preparation over college social life. The quarter system keeps pace quick and intensive. Most socializing happens in program-specific labs where students collaborate on hands-on projects. Seattle's tech scene and outdoor recreation opportunities provide weekend alternatives, though the commuter nature means campus feels quiet after classes end.
- Setting
- Suburb-Large
- Calendar System
- Quarter
Campus Safety (2023)
No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 37°–47°F
- July Avg
- 56°–76°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 37.8"
- Annual Snowfall
- 3.8"
Student Demographics
Lake Washington Institute of Technology draws students who want immediate career training without the debt of traditional four-year schools. Nearly all students come from Washington state, reflecting the school's strong reputation among local employers in tech and healthcare. Women make up 60% of enrollment, likely due to popular nursing and dental programs. The student body is diverse, with students of color representing nearly 35% of enrollment. Only 12% receive Pell Grants, suggesting many students are working adults investing in career changes or skills upgrades rather than recent high school graduates.
- Men
- 40.1%
- Women
- 59.9%
- White
- 40.2%
- Black
- 5.7%
- Hispanic
- 17.4%
- Asian
- 11.5%
- In-State Students
- 99.1%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 12.0%
Location
Lake Washington Institute of Technology sits in Kirkland, Washington, just 10 miles northeast of Seattle across Lake Washington. The campus occupies a suburban setting in the heart of the tech-heavy Eastside region, where Microsoft and other major employers create abundant internship and job opportunities. Nearly all students come from within Washington state, with 99.08% of enrollment being in-state residents. The area offers a blend of residential neighborhoods and business districts, with easy access to both Seattle's urban amenities and the Pacific Northwest's outdoor recreation. The proximity to major tech companies aligns perfectly with the school's career-focused technical programs. Students considering colleges in Washington may also compare Lake Washington Institute of Technology with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Kirkland, Washington 98034-8506
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $50,669
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $55,025
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $37,500
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 51.2%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $160/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $15,047
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the graduation rates at Lake Washington Institute of Technology?
LWIT has a 41.90% four-year graduation rate and a 39.80% six-year graduation rate. The school focuses on hands-on technical training that gets students into the workforce quickly, which explains why many complete programs in four years or less.
How much does Lake Washington Institute of Technology cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $5,886 annually for students at LWIT. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $4,219 after aid, making this technical education highly affordable for Washington residents.
What is the student body like at Lake Washington Institute of Technology?
LWIT enrolls 2,179 students with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. Women make up 59.94% of students, and the campus is highly diverse with 40.20% White, 17.44% Hispanic, and 11.52% Asian students.
What do graduates of Lake Washington Institute of Technology earn?
LWIT graduates earn a median of $50,669 ten years after graduation with typical monthly loan payments of just $160. The school's career-focused programs in aviation, health sciences, and IT prepare students for well-paying technical jobs.
Where is Lake Washington Institute of Technology located?
LWIT sits in Kirkland, Washington, in a large suburban setting near Seattle. Nearly all students (99.08%) come from Washington state, drawn to the school's reputation for practical technical training.
Does Lake Washington Institute of Technology have good job placement?
LWIT boasts a 94.3% employment rate for its graduates. The school's hands-on approach and industry partnerships in fields like aviation and health sciences create strong pathways to immediate employment after graduation.
