Community Colleges, Technical Colleges & Apprenticeships

The Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges features Washington state's 34 community and technical colleges and allows potential students to search by college and program, explore career areas, learn more about dual enrollment and dual credit, and discover how to earn an applied bachelor's degree, among other features.

Campus housing — whether an apartment or residence hall (dorm) — is more than just a place for students to sleep.  It's also a community.

Residential life programs offer social, leadership and educational programs — formal and informal — to give you an opportunity to develop new friendships and succeed in your studies.

College isn’t for everyone.  Check out the information on Apprenticeships in Washington state, you’ll be surprised at what’s available! 

Apprenticeships are a great option for people who like to work with their hands and are ready to go to work. They combine classroom training (college credit courses) and paid on-the-job training and last one to five years. Apprentices are eligible for lower college tuition rates.

After successfully completing the program, apprentices earn a journeyworker-level certificate of completion from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries Apprenticeship and Training Council. This certificate is one of the oldest and most highly portable industry credentials in use today. 

Lake Washington Institute of Technology offers 100 professional/technical degree and certificate options, and more than 40 diverse programs ranging from engineering graphics, welding, and nursing to computer technology, culinary arts, and digital gaming and media, including three bachelor degree programs in the high-demand fields of Applied Science in Public Health, Applied Science in Transportation and Logistics, and Technology in Applied Design.  Explore their programs at:

Bates offers associate of applied science degrees (AAS), certificates of competency and certificates of training in hundreds of career areas. Additionally, and often as part of a degree program, students prepare for the achievement of industry certifications and state licensure. Classes are offered on a quarterly basis, September through July.

Clover Park Technical College offers 56 degrees and 56 certificates in a variety of practical career fields. Their programs prepare students for vital jobs in the Pacific Northwest's aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries. Follow this link to programs offered with links to apply, etc.:

Located in Longview, WA, Stylemasters College of Hair Design has a proven track record for excellence in cosmetology for the past 37 years.  They provide a high-quality training program while preparing students to pass their Washington State licensing exams.