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Washington’s community college system ranks among the best in the country, according to a new study from personal finance website WalletHub.
The analysis compared 653 community colleges nationwide using metrics such as cost, education outcomes and career outcomes. Washington ranked No. 5 among state community college systems, just ahead of Oregon at No. 6.
Shoreline Community College earned the top spot in Washington, placing 39th overall in the U.S. South Puget Sound Community College and Bates Technical College also rounded out the state’s top three.
Keep reading to see which colleges in WA and OR made WalletHub's list.
Shoreline Community College is a public community college in Shoreline, Wash. (Shoreline Community College via Yelp)
What are the best community colleges in WA?
Shoreline Community College — 1st in Washington, 39th overall
South Puget Sound Community College — 2nd in Washington, 121st overall
Bates Technical College — 3rd in Washington, 209th overall
What are the best community colleges in OR?
Clackamas Community College — 1st in Oregon, 20th overall
Southwestern Oregon Community College — 2nd in Oregon, 43rd overall
Lane Community College — 3rd in Oregon, 47th overall
Umpqua Community College — 4th in Oregon, 54th overall
Clatsop Community College — 5th in Oregon, 73rd overall
Central Oregon Community College — 6th in Oregon, 84th overall
Blue Mountain Community College — 7th in Oregon, 100th overall
Columbia Gorge Community College — 8th in Oregon, 139th overall
Portland Community College — 9th in Oregon, 140th overall
Klamath Community College — 10th in Oregon, 141st overall
Oregon Coast Community College — 11th in Oregon, 158th overall
Rogue Community College — 12th in Oregon, 181st overall
Treasure Valley Community College — 13th in Oregon, 228th overall
Linn-Benton Community College — 14th in Oregon, 254th overall
Tillamook Bay Community College — 15th in Oregon, 377th overall
WalletHub noted that community colleges remain a cost-effective option for students, especially during times of economic strain. The group highlighted that tuition and fees at public four-year institutions cost nearly three times as much as at community colleges, on average.
"Community colleges are an especially attractive option this year as many families deal with financial struggles caused by significant inflation," WalletHub wrote in the study. "Students who initially planned on attending a private four-year college might want to consider spending two years at a community college and transferring those credits once they are in a better financial situation."
The study also pointed to "College Promise" programs in several states and cities, which offer free tuition to eligible residents attending community college.
The Seattle Promise program offers free tuition for up to two years at North Seattle College, Seattle Central College or South Seattle College. It's available for all Seattle Public Schools graduates, regardless of GPA, income, ability or immigration status.
View the full list of rankings on WalletHub’s website.
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The Source: Information in this story came from a WalletHub study in 2025 of 653 schools from the list of member institutions in the American Association of Community Colleges. WalletHub said due to data limitations, not all member schools were included.