
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:
- Families with higher incomes ($75,000-$110,000 and $110,000+) will most likely pay close to full price at the public schools.
- 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

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
View Other States
Select a state from the map below to view colleges in nearby states.
If you found the information of this page useful, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes or Stitcher. Get great information on all aspects of planning for college. We have interviews with experts, students and their stories, and the latest news in college admissions. Listen to each half-hour episode while you’re driving or working out. Use your favorite podcast app, iTunes, or listen directly at the website.