The best Washington Community Colleges with Student Housing offer affordable and convenient housing options. With the rising cost of higher education, Gen Z students are looking for alternatives to the traditional four-year college education. One trend that caught our attention is the rise of community colleges that offer on-campus housing.
Given the high costs associated with four-year colleges and the limited availability of affordable housing, Online Schools Guide believes that community college dorms are a wise choice. We understand the importance of finding a fulfilling and affordable education, which is why we are highlighting some of the schools in Washington with two-year programs that offer amenities similar to those of four-year colleges.
Contents:
- List of Two-Year Community Colleges in Washington with Dorms
- 1. Bellevue College
- 2. Big Bend Community College
- 3. Skagit Valley College
- 4. Green River College
- 5. Yakima Valley College
- 6. Edmonds College
- 7. Wenatchee Valley College
- Do Community Colleges in the US Have Dorms?
- What Degrees Can you Earn at a Community College in Washington?
List of Two-Year Community Colleges in Washington with Dorms
The availability of community colleges with dorms in Washington can vary greatly depending on the location and size of the community college. It’s best to directly contact the community colleges you’re interested in to inquire about their student housing options.
Because the residence and dorm packages differ by school, we broke the cost down to a monthly fee in an attempt to compare them as apples to apples. Then, we have listed the housing estimate per month based on the information provided online. This is not an exact science, but it gives you a mechanism to compare your options.
1. Bellevue College
Bellevue College (BC) is the largest of the 34 institutions within the Washington Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) system and the third-largest institution of higher education in Washington. The college was established in 1966 as Bellevue Community College and later changed to Bellevue College in 2009. In 2006, the college introduced its first bachelor’s of applied science degree program.
Location: Bellevue, Washington
Website: Bellevue College
Housing:
Does Bellevue community college have dorms? Yes! The Bellevue College Residence Halls offer students the opportunity to live and engage on campus. Bellevue College Housing offers fully furnished apartment-style housing with various layouts. Each layout has a different cost for the quarter or academic year, and range from $3,543 to $6,340 per term. Pricing for housing includes rent, water, electricity, heat, garbage, recycling, wi-fi, and community spaces. Parking, laundry, and cable TV are not included.
Meals: Bellevue College food services offers a cafeteria, two coffee shops, and a cafe in Student Housing that serves hot food, light snacks, pastries, espresso, tea, and beverages. Dining cards are reloadable and redeemable at any campus coffee shop and in the cafeteria. Cards can be purchased at the Fountain Cafe, Bulldog Bistro, and Brutus’ Bites. There are no fees, they never expire, and balances are transferable.
On Campus Degree Pick: On-campus students should consider the AAS in Nuclear Medicine Technology. They can then follow it with a BAS in Radiation and Imaging Sciences with a Nuclear Medicine Concentration. The BLS reports the median annual income for nuclear medicine technologists is $92,500.
Online Degrees: Fully online degrees include the BAS in Healthcare Management & Leadership, the BAS in Healthcare Informatics, the BAS in Digital Marketing, the RN to BSN.
Tuition Cost:
| Type | Washington In State Tuition | Out-of-state tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Associate per credit hour | $127.59 | $328.13 |
| Bachelor’s per credit hour | $247.61 | $695.59 |
| Housing estimate per month | $885.75 | $885.75 |
Bellevue College Student Housing Video Tour:
2. Big Bend Community College
Big Bend Community College (BBCC) is a public community college established in 1961. The college offers popular degrees such as the Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate in Science (AS). Its teams, the Vikings, compete in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) in men’s baseball, basketball, and wrestling, and women’s softball, basketball, volleyball, and wrestling.
Location: Moses Lake, WA
Website: Big Bend Community College
Housing:
Big Bend Community College Residence Halls offer students a comprehensive and affordable college experience. You can stay in one of two residence halls: Viking Hall and Phillips Hall. Each hall has laundry facilities, high-speed internet, cooking facilities, and lounges with televisions. Viking Hall also features a game room with pool tables and ping pong. The furnished rooms have two twin extra-long beds, desks, chairs, and individual lockers. Additionally, air conditioning is available in all rooms. Most rooms are double-occupancy and cost $1,150 per semester, or $3,450 per academic year. Single rooms are limited and cost an additional $500 per term.
Meals: There is no student meal plan or dining facilities. Instead, students cook in the communal kitchens located throughout the dorms. The BBCC Workforce Education Department collaborates with the Moses Lake Food Bank to supply food to students and campus members who are facing financial difficulties during the school year. The on-campus pantry is open during the week.
On Campus Degree Pick: The Aviation program for Commercial Pilots at BBCC is excellent. Students can start by earning an associate degree. Then they can remain at BBCC and earn an applied bachelor’s degree. Or they can transfer to one of three state universities in Washington to complete a four year program.
Online Degrees: BBCC offers a BAS in Applied Management, which can be completed 100% online. Furthermore, the school provides online courses in various fields through Ed2Go.
Tuition Cost:
| Type | Washington In State Tuition | Non-Resident Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Associate per credit hour | $127.59 | $145.79 |
| Bachelor’s per credit hour | $247.61 | $265.81 |
| Housing estimate per month | $345.00 | $345.00 |
3. Skagit Valley College
Skagit Valley College (SVC) is a public community college located in Mount Vernon, Washington. Established in 1926, it is the second-oldest continuously operating community college in the state. SVC offers associate degrees, professional and technical degrees, and three Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degrees.
Location: Vernon, WA
Website: Skagit Valley College
Housing:
The Campus View Village offers modern Northwest-style living just steps away from the campus. The rental fee includes furniture, heat, water, electricity, garbage, cable TV, and wireless internet. Each resident enjoys a private bedroom. The complex has live-in staff and Resident Advisors. Apartments have shared common areas, kitchens, and bathrooms, along with individual bedrooms. They come fully furnished with Wi-Fi and cable TV. Residents are encouraged to interact with roommates and neighbors and attend events and programs organized by the staff. Dorm rental costs $658.00 a month, or $1,974.00 per term.
Meals: There is no official meal plan or dining hall at the college. However, the Cardinal Café, the Backdoor Bakery, and the Mobile Food Lab are run by students in the Culinary Arts program at SVC. They offer affordable dining options most weekdays.
On Campus Degree Picks: Because of the student run dining options, we picked the culinary programs! The Food & Beverage Management program centers around the “Seed to Table” concept. It focuses on sustainable small-farm agriculture, craft brewing, and culinary arts. The certificate and AAS two-year degree options provide students with a solid foundation of hospitality skills for careers as a chef, sous-chef, baker, craft brewer, or farmer.
Online Degrees: Fully online degrees include AAS Business Direct Transfer, AAS in Business Management, AAS in Early Childhood Education, and the AAS in Multimedia & Interactive Technology (MIT).
Tuition Cost:
| Type | Washington In State Tuition | Out of State Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Associate per credit hour | $123.58 | $185.18 |
| Bachelor’s per credit hour | $240.10 | $240.10 |
| Housing estimate per month | $658.00 | $658.00 |
Skagit Valley College Dorm Video Tour:
4. Green River College
Green River College in Auburn offers a wide array of academic programs, including associate degrees, professional-technical degrees, and certificates. The college emphasizes student achievement through dedicated support services and innovative learning opportunities. Known for its beautiful campus and strong community ties, Green River fosters an inclusive and dynamic educational environment.
Location: Auburn, Washington
Website: Green River College
Housing: The Green River College housing option is the Campus Corner Apartments provide a convenient living experience with fully furnished units, study areas, and social spaces. These move-in-ready apartment units are across the street from the college and come in townhouses or flat configurations for up to four students. The cost for housing is around $941 per month depending on the room selection and contract.
Meals: GRC offers students a variety of food options on campus, including the Gator Grille, the Gator Grind Espresso Stand, and the Get Wired Espresso Stand.
On Campus Degree Pick: The FAA chose the Green River Aviation program to participate in the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program. This partnership provides students with an advantage in the highly competitive hiring process. Numerous GRC graduates go directly into air traffic controller training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma.
Online Degrees: Numerous online classes are offered at GRC. Students can also earn an associate degree online.
Tuition Cost:
| Type | Washington In State Tuition | Out of State Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Associate per credit hour | $127.59 | $247.61 |
| Bachelor’s per credit hour | $145.79 | $265.81 |
| Housing estimate per month | $941.00 | $941.00 |
Green River College Video Tour:
5. Yakima Valley College
Yakima Valley College offers a range of academic programs including associate degrees, professional certificates, and bachelor’s degrees in applied science. The college provides quality education with a focus on student success, offering comprehensive support services and resources. With strong ties to the local community, Yakima Valley College promotes inclusivity, diversity, and lifelong learning.
Location: Yakima, Washington
Website: Yakima Valley College
Housing: The YVC residence hall experience can be as valuable as your academic experience. On-campus housing offers students a positive experience of learning to live with others, enriching their lives. The residence is within walking distance to classes, the library, and other campus and recreational facilities. This safe living community for students is also very affordable. Monthly rates range from $350 to $400 per person.
Meals: There is no official meal plan or dining hall at the college. However, The Yak Grab N’ Go Marketplace and Sopho’s Mojo Espresso are on-campus options for sandwiches and coffee during the week.
On Campus Degree Pick: The Dental Assisting certificate program takes one year to complete and trains students for various dental office functions. Graduates can continue to complete the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Dental Hygiene. Dental hygiene is an in-demand field that also pays well!
Online Degrees: A variety of classes, certificates, and degrees are offered online for flexibility.
Tuition Cost:
| Type | Washington In State Tuition | Out of State Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Associate per credit hour | $141.09 | $159.29 |
| Bachelor’s per credit hour | $261.11 | $279.31 |
| Housing estimate per month | $350.00 | $350.00 |
Yakima Valley College Student Housing Tour:
6. Edmonds College
Edmonds College offers a diverse range of programs, including four bachelor of applied science degrees, 65 associate degrees, and 109 professional certificates in 31 programs of study. The college is known for its commitment to student success, providing comprehensive support services and state-of-the-art facilities. Campus life is comparable to a traditional college and offers athletic facilities with numerous sports teams, student government, clubs, a gym, a student community garden, a game room, and cafes.
Location: Lynnwood, Washington
Website: Edmonds College
Housing: Edmond’s Residence Halls are Rainier Place and Triton Court for students ages 16 and older who want to live in a community focused on student living. The cost includes rent, utilities, parking, limited internet, furniture, a student lounge, and 24-hour staff support. It does not include phone, food, and dishes. Packages begin at $3,750 to $4,800 for the fall quarter.
Meals: The College Café restaurant, the Pastry Corner cafe, and the Triton Taste food truck are run by the culinary arts program at Edmonds College.
On Campus Degree Pick: The Bachelor of Applied Science in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (BAS-ROBAI) program is our pick for an on campus degree. Students earn the knowledge and skills needed in the growing field of robotics in manufacturing. The program includes mechatronics design, language, and speech technology, AI applications for machine learning, and autonomous systems.
Online Degrees: Currently the school offers 10 degrees and certificates 100% online.
Tuition Cost:
| Type | Washington In State Tuition | Out of State Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Associate per credit hour | $127.59 | $328.13 |
| Bachelor’s per credit hour | $247.61 | $695.59 |
| Housing estimate per month | $937.50 | $937.50 |
Edmonds College Housing Video Tour:
7. Wenatchee Valley College
Wenatchee Valley College is a public community college that offers adult education classes, certifications, associate degrees, and four bachelor’s degrees. The college has two campuses, a main campus in central Wenatchee, and an Omak campus. Students can participate in many traditional college activities, like sports and clubs.
Location: Wenatchee, Washington
Website: Wenatchee Valley College
Housing: The WVC Residence Hall housing is directly across from the Wenatchee campus. It is within walking distance of grocery stores, shopping areas, and downtown Wenatchee. The semester cost is $2,010, which averages out to $670 per month and includes water, sewer, garbage and recycling, and wireless and high-speed Internet connections.
Meals: The college does not have an official meal plan or dining hall. However, the cafeteria in Van Tassell Center features great menu selections and a comfortable space for students to gather.
On Campus Degree Pick: The Associate in Business Direct Transfer Degree (Business DTA) is a great choice for many students. By completing the degree requirements, you can transfer to any Washington state school as a business major. Graduates in business administration can pursue careers in a variety of fields. Additionally, a bachelor’s degree in business provides good preparation for graduate school.
Online Degrees: A variety of classes, certificates, and degrees are offered online for flexibility.
Tuition Cost:
| Type | Washington In State Tuition | Non-Resident Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Associate per credit hour | $127.59 | $145.79 |
| Bachelor’s per credit hour | $247.61 | $265.81 |
| Housing estimate per month | $670.00 | $670.00 |
Wenatchee Valley College Residence Hall Video Tour:
Do Community Colleges in the US Have Dorms?
Community colleges typically do not provide on-campus housing like traditional universities, but there is a growing number of exceptions in the United States that offer dormitories or residential facilities. According to the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), in 2010, 22.8% of public community colleges offered on-campus housing, and by 2022, this number increased to 26.6%.
In the United States, thirty-eight states have public community colleges that offer on-campus housing. Washington and New York have experienced the most significant increase in student housing since 2010. Wyoming and North Dakota are the only states with on-campus housing available in all their public community colleges.
What Degrees Can you Earn at a Community College in Washington?
In Washington, community colleges offer a wide range of degree programs. Some of the degrees you can earn include an Associate of Arts (AA), an Associate of Science (AS), an Associate of Applied Science (AAS), and various certificate programs in fields such as healthcare, business, technology, and more.
Many Washington community colleges with student housing also offer a variety of bachelor’s degrees in fields such as nursing, information technology, business administration, and education. These programs provide students with affordable options to pursue higher education and advance their careers.
| Title | Degree |
|---|---|
| AA | Associate in Arts |
| AAA | Associate in Applied Arts |
| ACS | Associate in Computer Science |
| AAS | Associate in Applied Science |
| AFA | Associate in Fine Arts |
| AB | Associate in Business |
| AM | Associate in Math Education |
| AS | Associate in Science |
| ATA | Associate of Technical Arts |
| BAS | Bachelor of Applied Science |
| BS | Bachelor of Science |
| CERT | Certificate |
| COC | Certificate of Completion |
| DTA | Direct Transfer Agreement |
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