Tuition and fee rates are set by the Washington State Legislature and regulated by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC). Tuition and fees are subject to change and are also approved by the college Board of Trustees. The actual tuition a student pays will vary due to credit load, residency status, selected programs, and other factors.

The average cost to educate a resident full-time community or technical college student for the 2023-24 academic year is $15,894. Students pay an average of $3,633 in tuition toward this cost. The remaining $12,261 is an “opportunity pathway” provided by the State and is funded by state taxes and other sources. The amounts shown are averages for a full-time, resident student. The actual tuition a student pays will vary due to credit load, residency status and other factors.

If you have questions about tuition and fees please contact the WCC Business Office.

Tuition Rates by Year, Credits, Course Type, and Residency Status

2024-2025
2023-2024

Tuition Description

State support tuition is made up of three parts:

  • The Operating Fee, which supports college operations
  • The Building Fee, which supports infrastructure and innovation
  • The Services and Activities (S&A) Fee, which supports students activities and programs

In addition to tuition, most students will have other fees included on their accounts, which include mandatory college fees (listed below) and course fees if applicable. For detailed information about fees, see below "fees for self-support courses & programs" 

Mandatory fees per credit (approved by ASWCC):

  • Comprehensive fee to support educational services for students - $2.50 (up to 10 credits, or $25)
  • Technology fee to support technology access for students- $3.50 (up to 10 credits, or $35)
  • Recreation Center fee for repayment of student approved remodel of Student Recreation Center- $6.32 (up to 15 credits, or $94.80)
  • Quarterly bus pass fee for unlimited pre-paid access to WTA bus service- $20.00

Please note that you will see tuition charges broken out separately on your account in ctcLink along with “resident” or “non-resident”. Resident does not refer to housing charges but instead reflects your residency status for tuition purposes.

Fees for self-support courses & programs
Payment of tuition and fees
Refunds of tuition

Tuition Waivers

You might be eligible for a tuition waiver, which could greatly reduce the cost of your tuition. Most waivers apply only to tuition based (state support) classes. The class schedule search distinguishes tuition based from fee based (not eligible) in the class details section found under the column labeled cost.

Senior Waiver
Washington State Employees
WCC Employees
Non-residents with refugee/asylee immigration status
Certain children/spouses of eligible veterans/national guard members
Certain non-residents who are US citizens or have permanent resident immigration status

Revenue and Tuition Statutory Disclosure Statements

Community and Technical Colleges - Sources and use of revenue (FY 2023) [PDF]
Community and Technical Colleges - Sources and use of revenue (FY 2022) [PDF]
Community and Technical Colleges - Sources and use of revenue (FY 2021) [PDF]