Skip to main content

Small Colleges in Washington

50 schools in Washington. See our methodology.

Perry Technical Institute in Yakima achieves a remarkable 76.9% graduation rate while training students for Washington's skilled trades workforce. This reflects a broader pattern among the state's 62 small colleges, where technical programs often deliver stronger completion rates than traditional academic tracks. Faith International University graduates earn $51,006 annually with just 196 students, while University of Washington-Tacoma serves nearly 4,000 students and produces graduates earning $78,466. The Washington College Grant helps offset costs that range from $3,912 to $42,033 annually. Technical colleges like Renton Technical and Bellingham Technical keep net prices under $6,000, positioning graduates for careers supporting Boeing's aerospace operations, Amazon's logistics network, and Microsoft's cloud infrastructure. Community colleges from Centralia to Shoreline offer affordable pathways into the state's healthcare and technology sectors, with acceptance rates reaching 88.4% at UW-Tacoma. Graduation rates span from 32.4% to 81% across institutions, with specialized programs often outperforming broader curricula in student success metrics.
50
Schools
$14,760
Avg. Net Price
$50,432
Avg. Earnings
44.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Small Colleges in Washington

College listings
# School Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 196 $18,361 66.7%
2 3,989 $10,017 62.3% 88.4%
3 1,539 $5,051 55.0%
4 1,523 $4,971 45.5%
5 970 $12,612 41.2%
6 1,214 $23,992 64.2%
7 4,573 $12,447 41.2%
8 2,179 $5,886 39.8%
9 2,372 $8,343 47.5%
10 1,523 $35,506 81.0% 47.7%
11 1,476 $7,600 45.8%
12 2,692 $9,090 42.0%
13 3,487 $10,878 38.6%
14 3,109 $10,116 32.4%
15 973 $23,292 76.9%
16 1,032 $42,033 51.6% 66.4%
17 4,378 $10,627 38.3%
18 3,354 $13,461 33.2%
19 2,417 $3,912 40.7%
20 1,281 $10,875 36.7%
21 1,762 $10,733 39.6%
22 4,114 $6,206 37.3%
23 2,280 $9,608 36.4%
24 2,792 $8,351 32.4%
25 4,248 $9,321 32.8%
26 1,613 $4,176 29.9%
27 4,487 $10,123 31.2%
28 4,699 $9,826 35.7%
29 1,139 $4,529 40.6%
30 3,263 $7,755 34.0%
31 2,539 $10,402 33.8%
32 2,581 $6,116 33.6%
33 1,091 $35,049 16.7%
34 477 $26,734 30.8%
35 3,879 $6,329 31.4%
36 4,226 $8,302 27.7%
37 1,058 $3,149 31.6%
38 782 $11,893 39.8%
39 1,495 $6,802 26.2%
40 2,881 $7,402 30.4%
41 4,117 $34,802 73.3% 85.2%
42 2,042 $22,585 43.6% 74.4%
43 1,743 $8,222 25.0%
44 677 $7,625 26.9%
45 2,073 $24,820 62.1% 90.7%
46 2,350 $21,370 71.0% 88.9%
47 60 $41,429 88.9%
48 1,631 $38,920 67.9% 82.7%
49 642 $25,161 63.5% 94.3%
50 400 $31,193 60.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Washington's technical colleges stand out for graduation rates?

Technical institutions like Perry Technical Institute achieve 76.9% graduation rates, significantly higher than many traditional colleges. Renton Technical College maintains 55% completion rates while keeping costs at $5,051 annually. These schools focus on specific career training for Washington's manufacturing and healthcare industries, creating clear pathways to employment that help students stay motivated through completion.

How do earnings compare between technical and liberal arts programs?

Technical college graduates earn competitively, with Perry Technical Institute graduates averaging $57,764 annually. Whitman College liberal arts graduates earn $67,589, while technical programs like those at Lake Washington Institute produce $50,669 average earnings. The earnings gap narrows when considering the lower debt loads from technical programs costing under $6,000 compared to liberal arts programs exceeding $35,000.

Is the Washington College Grant available at all small colleges?

The Washington College Grant applies to eligible students at public institutions like community colleges and UW-Tacoma, significantly reducing costs. Students at Centralia College pay just $7,600 net price, while those at technical colleges like Bellingham Technical pay $4,971. Private institutions like Faith International University and Whitman College don't qualify, resulting in higher net prices of $18,361 and $35,506 respectively.

Does location within Washington affect college costs significantly?

Location creates notable cost variations, with Seattle-area schools like Shoreline Community College charging $10,116 compared to rural Centralia College at $7,600. However, proximity to tech employers matters for career outcomes. UW-Tacoma graduates earn $78,466 working for companies like Amazon and Microsoft, while rural Walla Walla Community College graduates average $43,526 in areas with fewer high-paying technology positions.

What acceptance rates can students expect at Washington small colleges?

Most small colleges maintain accessible admission policies, with UW-Tacoma accepting 88.4% of applicants despite being a university branch campus. Whitman College represents the most selective option at 47.7% acceptance rate, reflecting its liberal arts focus and $35,506 annual cost. Community colleges and technical schools typically accept all qualified students, prioritizing skill development over competitive admissions.

Where do small college graduates find employment in Washington's economy?

Graduates enter Washington's technology, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors concentrated around Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane. UW-Tacoma's $78,466 graduate earnings reflect proximity to Amazon, Microsoft, and Boeing facilities. Technical college graduates support these industries through specialized roles, with Perry Technical Institute's 973 students training for positions in the state's growing renewable energy and aerospace manufacturing sectors.

Related

Small Colleges Nationally All Colleges in Washington Cheapest Programs in Washington

See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.