For the academic year 2024-2025, the average tuition of public colleges in Washington is $6,683 for Washington residents and $13,657 for out-of-state students. For private colleges in Washington, the average tuition & fees are $32,740 regardless of residency.
For graduate schools, the average tuition of public colleges in Washington is $15,753 for Washington residents and $30,470 for out-of-state students. For private schools in Washington, the average graduate tuition is $24,216.
The average living expenses other than tuition & fees are $18,587 when a student lives on-campus facilities such as dormitory and college-operated/owned apartment. The average off-campus living cost is $21,050. It includes costs for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses.
The average amounts are based on the cost of 4-years college which offer BS degree (or higher). You can check the average cost of 2-years college (community college) and less than 2 years colleges (trade schools / technical colleges). In addition, you can check the average cost of college by school type, level, and offered degree below.
You can compare all Washington colleges in various ways:
Average Cost of Attendance (COA)
In addition to the tuition & fees, the cost of college includes cost for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses. This total costs of attendance (COA) is important when preparing for the college admission and checking student loans.
The 2025 average COA of the four-year colleges in Washington is $26,684 for residents and $33,658 for out-of-state students. At private four-year schools, average COA is $51,614. At community colleges (2-4 year school), the average COA is $16,831 for Washington residents and $18,397 for out-of-state students.
The following table summarizes the 2025 average COA by school types and levels. In addition, you can check the changes of COA by comparing to last year.
| Washington Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $26,684 | $33,658 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $51,614 | |
| Community Colleges | $16,831 | $18,397 |
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
In Washington, 103 out of 106 colleges are offering undergraduate programs. By schools type, there are 48 public and 31 private colleges in Washington. The average undergraduate tuition & fees of colleges in Washington is $5,817 for Washington residents and $12,725 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the undergraduate tuition & fees is $31,898
At community colleges (2-4 years schools), the average tuition & fees is $15,201 for residents and $16,767 for out-of-state students.
| Washington Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $5,817 | $12,725 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $31,898 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $15,201 | $16,767 |
| Trade Schools (Less than 2-Year Schools) | $17,759 | |
Graduate Programs Tuition & Fees
In Washington, 34 colleges and universities offer graduate programs. The average graduate school tuition & fees of colleges in Washington is $14,439 for Washington residents and $29,156 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the graduate program tuition & fees is $23,671
| Washington Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $14,439 | $29,156 |
| Private Schools | $23,671 | |
Tuition per Credit Hour
The tuition per credit hour is used and charged to part-time students and/or full-time students who takes extra courses (credits). The average cost per credit hour of colleges in Washington is $170 for Washington residents and $389 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the average cost is $1,138
For graduate programs, the average tuition per credit hour is $602 for Washington residents and $1,197 for out-of-state students. At private graduate schools, the average cost per credit hour is $890
| Washington Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | ||
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $170 | $389 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $1,138 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | - | - |
| Graduate | ||
| Public Schools | $602 | $1,197 |
| Private Schools | $890 | |
Average Living Costs at colleges in Washington
At colleges in Washington, the average living cost is $18,587 when a student lives on campus facility and $21,050 when living off campus. It includes the cost for room & board, and other living expenses.
| On-Campus | Off-Campus | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $19,268 | $21,675 |
| Private Schools | $17,542 | $19,924 |
