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Net Price of Washington Colleges by Income

Cost of Washington Colleges Zoom In

Source: National Center for Educational Statistics. This is the most recent data available as of January 2023

Questions & Answers

What do all these numbers mean?

All costs shown here are the average net cost paid by families in each income bracket for one year at the college in question. Net cost is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus government grants and institutional scholarships. Figures are based on data from the 2020-21 school year, which is the latest available as of January 2023.

What is “Total Cost” on the chart?

Total cost is the total cost of attendance for one year at that particular college. It includes:

  • Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
  • Room and board (on campus)
  • Books and supplies
  • Other expenses (travel and personal)

There are detailed chart below for each school that shows these expenses. Click here to go to the individual cost breakdown for schools.

How can I use this information?

This information is useful for building a realistic college budget. It's a good place to start until you better understand your specific circumstances. For example, let's say your income is $100,000 per year. This chart shows that the average state school would run $15,609 and the average private school would be $28,601. You can also get information on specific Washington schools in the chart above or the tables below.

Will my family pay the amount on this chart?

Probably not. The numbers are averages. You may be below average or above average. However, there are two key points we can learn from this data:

  1. Families with higher incomes ($75,000-$110,000 and $110,000+) will most likely pay close to full price at the public schools.
  2. Private colleges have a higher list price but offer more discounts. This brings their net price much closer to the cost of state-funded schools.

Where did this information come from?

As part of federal financial aid, colleges are required to provide detailed cost information to the U.S. government. This data is made available to the public through the National Center for Education Statistics. For more details, click here.

What about athletes, merit aid or minority students?

Athletes, high achieving students, and those with minority status are averaged in with everyone else. Within each income bracket, there are families that pay more than average and families that pay less than average.

The costs on this chart seem large. How can families afford to pay it?

For many families paying for college is not easy, but in the end they figure out. Most families will pay their net cost of college with some combination of:

  • College savings and investments
  • Payments from current income
  • Loans
  • Outside scholarships (check out the Scholarship Guide For Busy Parents to learn how your student can win scholarships)
  • Tax planning
  • Student work
Cost of Washington Schools Explanation

Net Price:

Net prices is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus the average amount in government grants and institutional scholarships the school awards. This is an average, so you may pay above the average or below the average. Your exact net price is likely to be different and sometimes drastically different.

Most families will pay the net price with some combination of savings and investments, current income and various loans. Some students will also receive scholarships from sources other than the federal or state government or the college. Any scholarships and grants from these outside sources are not included in the data. However, government grants and institutional scholarships are included in the averages.

Total Cost at University of Washington-Seattle (2020-21)
Tuition and Fees $11,745
Room and Board $13,887
Books $900
Other Expenses $2,787
Total $29,319

Total Cost:

Total cost is the total cost of attendance for that particular institution for the 2020-21 school year. This is the latest data available as of January 2023. Total costs include:

  • Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
  • Room and board (on campus)
  • Books and supplies
  • Other expenses (travel and personal)

College Total Cost
Family Income WA Public $24,849 WA Private $60,096
$0 - $30k $7,172 $17,339
$30,001 – $48k $8,070 $18,260
$48,001 – $75k $10,635 $22,604
$75,001 – $110k $15,609 $28,601
$110,001+ $18,838 $32,813

Public vs. Private Averages

This table shows the average total cost of attendance for the Washington public and private colleges we have included in our analysis. The costs include a breakdown of the average net price paid by family income. Notice that the average private college is $11,000-$14,000 more than the average public school, depending on your income bracket. It is important to stress that these are averages. Most families will not be average, and their individual circumstances could be drastically different. I encourage all families to work with their preferred colleges to get information specific to their family.

Below are similar charts for each individual private and public college in Washington. Click a school to view its complete chart.

Public WA Schools Cost Breakdown

  • Bellevue College

    Bellevue
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $3,958 $4,057
    Room and Board $13,530 $13,660
    Books $930 $942
    Other Expenses $3,714 $3,774
    Total $22,132 $22,433
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $6,765 $6,857
    $30,001 - $48k $7,910 $8,018
    $48,001 - $75k $9,168 $9,293
    $75,001 - $110k $15,616 $15,828
    $110,001+ $15,557 $15,769
  • Central Washington University

    Ellensburg
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $8,444 $8,685
    Room and Board $13,787 $13,938
    Books $900 $900
    Other Expenses $2,922 $2,922
    Total $26,053 $26,445
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $11,804 $11,982
    $30,001 - $48k $13,371 $13,572
    $48,001 - $75k $17,824 $18,092
    $75,001 - $110k $22,556 $22,895
    $110,001+ $23,895 $24,255
  • Centralia College

    Centralia
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $4,652 $4,770
    Room and Board $11,118 $11,274
    Books $930 $942
    Other Expenses $3,720 $3,774
    Total $20,420 $20,760
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $5,608 $5,701
    $30,001 - $48k $7,700 $7,828
    $48,001 - $75k $10,089 $10,257
    $75,001 - $110k $12,175 $12,378
    $110,001+ $0 $0
  • Clark College

    Vancouver
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $3,957 $4,529
    Room and Board $0 $0
    Books $870 $870
    Other Expenses $0 $0
    Total $4,827 $5,399
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $5,986 $6,695
    $30,001 - $48k $6,641 $7,428
    $48,001 - $75k $8,505 $9,513
    $75,001 - $110k $13,683 $15,304
    $110,001+ $14,116 $15,789
  • Columbia Basin College

    Pasco
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $5,755 $5,755
    Room and Board $9,920 $9,980
    Books $840 $800
    Other Expenses $2,280 $2,325
    Total $18,795 $18,860
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $8,457 $8,486
    $30,001 - $48k $7,750 $7,777
    $48,001 - $75k $9,804 $9,838
    $75,001 - $110k $12,445 $12,488
    $110,001+ $15,691 $15,745
  • Eastern Washington University

    Cheney
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $7,733 $7,922
    Room and Board $13,480 $13,060
    Books $930 $942
    Other Expenses $3,075 $3,132
    Total $25,218 $25,056
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $8,449 $8,395
    $30,001 - $48k $8,974 $8,916
    $48,001 - $75k $12,256 $12,177
    $75,001 - $110k $16,255 $16,151
    $110,001+ $19,571 $19,445
  • The Evergreen State College

    Olympia
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $8,325 $8,529
    Room and Board $12,735 $13,149
    Books $900 $900
    Other Expenses $3,525 $3,525
    Total $25,485 $26,103
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $18,968 $19,428
    $30,001 - $48k $21,174 $21,687
    $48,001 - $75k $23,471 $24,040
    $75,001 - $110k $24,660 $25,258
    $110,001+ $24,865 $25,468
  • Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom

    Lakewood
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $4,173 $4,356
    Room and Board $9,690 $11,190
    Books $1,000 $1,000
    Other Expenses $3,570 $3,570
    Total $18,433 $20,116
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $4,608 $5,029
    $30,001 - $48k $6,385 $6,968
    $48,001 - $75k $7,711 $8,415
    $75,001 - $110k $12,101 $13,206
    $110,001+ $13,418 $14,643
  • Grays Harbor College

    Aberdeen
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $4,296 $4,503
    Room and Board $0 $0
    Books $930 $942
    Other Expenses $0 $0
    Total $5,226 $5,445
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $5,884 $6,131
    $30,001 - $48k $7,103 $7,401
    $48,001 - $75k $9,017 $9,395
    $75,001 - $110k $14,245 $14,842
    $110,001+ $12,615 $13,144
  • Green River College

    Auburn
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $4,233 $4,332
    Room and Board $0 $0
    Books $930 $930
    Other Expenses $0 $0
    Total $5,163 $5,262
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $6,218 $6,337
    $30,001 - $48k $8,031 $8,185
    $48,001 - $75k $10,730 $10,936
    $75,001 - $110k $13,734 $13,997
    $110,001+ $15,763 $16,065
  • Highline College

    Des Moines
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $4,231 $4,344
    Room and Board $10,394 $10,420
    Books $930 $942
    Other Expenses $3,702 $3,774
    Total $19,257 $19,480
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $7,376 $7,461
    $30,001 - $48k $7,748 $7,838
    $48,001 - $75k $8,661 $8,761
    $75,001 - $110k $10,034 $10,150
    $110,001+ $15,395 $15,573
  • Lake Washington Institute of Technology

    Kirkland
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $4,510 $4,609
    Room and Board $0 $0
    Books $1,101 $1,101
    Other Expenses $0 $0
    Total $5,611 $5,710
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $6,696 $6,814
    $30,001 - $48k $6,890 $7,012
    $48,001 - $75k $10,152 $10,331
    $75,001 - $110k $12,018 $12,230
    $110,001+ $14,635 $14,893
  • North Seattle College

    Seattle
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $4,123 $4,799
    Room and Board $0 $0
    Books $900 $900
    Other Expenses $0 $0
    Total $5,023 $5,699
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $3,868 $4,389
    $30,001 - $48k $5,694 $6,460
    $48,001 - $75k $8,627 $9,788
    $75,001 - $110k $13,564 $15,389
    $110,001+ $13,846 $15,709
  • Olympic College

    Bremerton
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $3,971 $4,095
    Room and Board $10,385 $10,400
    Books $1,275 $1,295
    Other Expenses $3,975 $4,000
    Total $19,606 $19,790
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $5,581 $5,633
    $30,001 - $48k $6,522 $6,583
    $48,001 - $75k $8,706 $8,788
    $75,001 - $110k $11,074 $11,178
    $110,001+ $14,252 $14,386
  • Peninsula College

    Port Angeles
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $4,218 $4,317
    Room and Board $0 $0
    Books $930 $942
    Other Expenses $0 $0
    Total $5,148 $5,259
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $2,284 $2,333
    $30,001 - $48k $4,490 $4,587
    $48,001 - $75k $5,318 $5,433
    $75,001 - $110k $10,904 $11,139
    $110,001+ $12,007 $12,266
  • Renton Technical College

    Renton
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $5,671 $5,671
    Room and Board $0 $0
    Books $930 $942
    Other Expenses $0 $0
    Total $6,601 $6,613
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $5,228 $5,238
    $30,001 - $48k $4,080 $4,087
    $48,001 - $75k $7,352 $7,365
    $75,001 - $110k $7,703 $7,717
    $110,001+ $0 $0
  • South Seattle College

    Seattle
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $4,214 $4,831
    Room and Board $0 $0
    Books $845 $845
    Other Expenses $0 $0
    Total $5,059 $5,676
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $6,768 $7,593
    $30,001 - $48k $5,951 $6,677
    $48,001 - $75k $7,922 $8,888
    $75,001 - $110k $15,454 $17,339
    $110,001+ $0 $0
  • Seattle Central College

    Seattle
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $4,053 $4,670
    Room and Board $0 $0
    Books $865 $865
    Other Expenses $0 $0
    Total $4,918 $5,535
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $4,875 $5,487
    $30,001 - $48k $6,034 $6,791
    $48,001 - $75k $8,846 $9,956
    $75,001 - $110k $10,104 $11,372
    $110,001+ $12,219 $13,752
  • Skagit Valley College

    Mount Vernon
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $4,000 $4,431
    Room and Board $9,600 $9,650
    Books $960 $960
    Other Expenses $3,000 $3,000
    Total $17,560 $18,041
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $6,500 $6,678
    $30,001 - $48k $6,855 $7,043
    $48,001 - $75k $8,082 $8,303
    $75,001 - $110k $12,469 $12,811
    $110,001+ $13,666 $14,040
  • Washington State University

    Pullman
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $12,170 $12,417
    Room and Board $11,848 $11,848
    Books $960 $960
    Other Expenses $3,542 $3,542
    Total $28,520 $28,767
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $2,325 $2,345
    $30,001 - $48k $3,968 $4,002
    $48,001 - $75k $7,762 $7,829
    $75,001 - $110k $14,670 $14,797
    $110,001+ $18,184 $18,341
  • University of Washington-Seattle Campus

    Seattle
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $11,745 $12,076
    Room and Board $13,887 $14,871
    Books $900 $900
    Other Expenses $2,787 $2,793
    Total $29,319 $30,640
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $4,516 $4,719
    $30,001 - $48k $5,082 $5,311
    $48,001 - $75k $7,271 $7,599
    $75,001 - $110k $13,359 $13,961
    $110,001+ $23,292 $24,341
  • Western Washington University

    Bellingham
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $8,508 $8,703
    Room and Board $12,518 $13,080
    Books $996 $1,011
    Other Expenses $3,783 $3,840
    Total $25,805 $26,634
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $3,885 $4,010
    $30,001 - $48k $4,818 $4,973
    $48,001 - $75k $7,842 $8,094
    $75,001 - $110k $14,157 $14,612
    $110,001+ $16,098 $16,615
  • Yakima Valley College

    Yakima
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $4,770 $4,883
    Room and Board $8,364 $8,484
    Books $930 $942
    Other Expenses $3,690 $3,744
    Total $17,754 $18,053
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $7,384 $7,508
    $30,001 - $48k $7,744 $7,874
    $48,001 - $75k $9,660 $9,823
    $75,001 - $110k $14,355 $14,597
    $110,001+ $14,679 $14,926
  • University of Washington-Bothell Campus

    Bothell
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $11,649 $11,950
    Room and Board $13,191 $14,154
    Books $900 $900
    Other Expenses $3,873 $3,873
    Total $29,613 $30,877
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $4,557 $4,752
    $30,001 - $48k $4,498 $4,690
    $48,001 - $75k $7,791 $8,124
    $75,001 - $110k $14,301 $14,911
    $110,001+ $20,541 $21,418
  • University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    Tacoma
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $11,889 $12,196
    Room and Board $12,258 $13,194
    Books $900 $900
    Other Expenses $3,360 $3,360
    Total $28,407 $29,650
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $4,923 $5,138
    $30,001 - $48k $5,765 $6,017
    $48,001 - $75k $6,325 $6,602
    $75,001 - $110k $13,842 $14,448
    $110,001+ $18,180 $18,975
  • Cascadia College

    Bothell
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $4,226 $4,533
    Room and Board $0 $0
    Books $900 $942
    Other Expenses $0 $0
    Total $5,126 $5,475
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $5,040 $5,383
    $30,001 - $48k $7,514 $8,026
    $48,001 - $75k $11,569 $12,357
    $75,001 - $110k $9,694 $10,354
    $110,001+ $15,245 $16,283

Private WA Schools Cost Breakdown

  • Gonzaga University

    Spokane
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $46,920 $48,470
    Room and Board $12,951 $13,192
    Books $1,196 $1,212
    Other Expenses $3,735 $3,787
    Total $64,802 $66,661
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $19,141 $19,690
    $30,001 - $48k $18,292 $18,817
    $48,001 - $75k $22,764 $23,417
    $75,001 - $110k $32,079 $32,999
    $110,001+ $38,548 $39,654
  • Northwest University

    Kirkland
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $33,980 $33,980
    Room and Board $9,420 $9,700
    Books $900 $930
    Other Expenses $2,600 $2,710
    Total $46,900 $47,320
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $19,388 $19,562
    $30,001 - $48k $19,091 $19,262
    $48,001 - $75k $19,251 $19,423
    $75,001 - $110k $23,040 $23,246
    $110,001+ $27,030 $27,272
  • Pacific Lutheran University

    Tacoma
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $46,850 $48,226
    Room and Board $11,150 $11,482
    Books $930 $942
    Other Expenses $2,880 $2,913
    Total $61,810 $63,563
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $15,308 $15,742
    $30,001 - $48k $15,131 $15,560
    $48,001 - $75k $18,117 $18,631
    $75,001 - $110k $26,149 $26,891
    $110,001+ $26,531 $27,283
  • University of Puget Sound

    Tacoma
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $52,775 $55,670
    Room and Board $13,480 $13,950
    Books $1,000 $1,000
    Other Expenses $2,406 $2,514
    Total $69,661 $73,134
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $9,749 $10,235
    $30,001 - $48k $12,232 $12,842
    $48,001 - $75k $17,783 $18,670
    $75,001 - $110k $22,753 $23,887
    $110,001+ $32,735 $34,367
  • Saint Martin's University

    Lacey
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $39,940 $40,690
    Room and Board $12,410 $12,850
    Books $1,000 $1,000
    Other Expenses $3,000 $3,000
    Total $56,350 $57,540
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $15,184 $15,505
    $30,001 - $48k $15,140 $15,460
    $48,001 - $75k $20,954 $21,397
    $75,001 - $110k $25,043 $25,572
    $110,001+ $27,890 $28,479
  • Seattle Pacific University

    Seattle
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $47,244 $35,646
    Room and Board $12,687 $13,404
    Books $930 $942
    Other Expenses $3,783 $3,774
    Total $64,644 $53,766
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $18,699 $15,552
    $30,001 - $48k $19,484 $16,205
    $48,001 - $75k $22,438 $18,662
    $75,001 - $110k $28,785 $23,941
    $110,001+ $31,484 $26,186
  • Seattle University

    Seattle
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $48,390 $49,335
    Room and Board $12,780 $13,035
    Books $1,200 $1,200
    Other Expenses $3,600 $3,600
    Total $65,970 $67,170
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $25,170 $25,628
    $30,001 - $48k $27,078 $27,571
    $48,001 - $75k $30,814 $31,375
    $75,001 - $110k $40,351 $41,085
    $110,001+ $39,822 $40,546
  • Walla Walla University

    College Place
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $29,931 $30,531
    Room and Board $8,469 $8,358
    Books $1,020 $942
    Other Expenses $2,100 $2,040
    Total $41,520 $41,871
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $18,684 $18,842
    $30,001 - $48k $18,648 $18,806
    $48,001 - $75k $21,501 $21,683
    $75,001 - $110k $25,461 $25,676
    $110,001+ $28,650 $28,892
  • Whitman College

    Walla Walla
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $50,408 $55,982
    Room and Board $13,800 $13,800
    Books $1,400 $1,400
    Other Expenses $800 $800
    Total $66,408 $71,982
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $14,774 $16,014
    $30,001 - $48k $18,861 $20,444
    $48,001 - $75k $30,412 $32,965
    $75,001 - $110k $31,827 $34,498
    $110,001+ $41,899 $45,416
  • Whitworth University

    Spokane
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $46,250 $47,590
    Room and Board $12,150 $12,500
    Books $936 $936
    Other Expenses $3,554 $3,613
    Total $62,890 $64,639
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $17,296 $17,777
    $30,001 - $48k $18,646 $19,165
    $48,001 - $75k $22,006 $22,618
    $75,001 - $110k $30,526 $31,375
    $110,001+ $33,543 $34,476
 

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