Over the last 20 years, college costs have risen faster than increases on nearly any other product or service.

Community colleges nationwide are generally the cheapest colleges, and that is true in Seattle as well. The state university is also an option, and private colleges are available, but at a much higher cost. Note that the costs given here are for tuition only. Fees are not included, because colleges differ in what they include in their listed fees, so comparisons would be misleading. Room and board is also not included, so If you will be staying on campus, you will need to add room and board based on the type of housing and meal plan you choose.

Community Colleges
o It is not surprising that community colleges would emerge as the least expensive colleges in Seattle. Community colleges, by their nature, are designed to serve the maximum number of community members, to "welcome all who desire to learn, regardless of wealth, heritage, or previous academic experience," according to the American Association of Community Colleges. North Seattle, Seattle Central and South Seattle community colleges have the same tuition rates: $940 per 12-credit quarter, with three quarters in the academic year. Many students save money by attending a community college for two years and then transferring to another college, which will then grant their degree.

University of Washington - Seattle
o Tuition at the University of Washington's Seattle campus is $8,122 per year, based on a student undertaking up to 18 credits per quarter. This cost assumes the student attends three quarters for the academic year. Most UW students enter as freshman immediately after high school, but UW also has programs for working adults, including evening undergraduate degree completion, master's degree programs, 120 certificate programs, and workshops and conferences.

City University
o Annual tuition at City University is $11,100, based on a student attending all three quarters. City University's emphasis is on being "streetwise," meaning having life experience to add to book smarts. Many City students have taken a break and are now going back to school, so the university has day, night, weekend and online classes to accommodate as many students as possible. City University also grants credit for life experience and knowledge, provided it is recent experience and can be proven or tested.

Antioch University Seattle
o Tuition at Antioch is $6,000 per quarter for full-time students taking 12 or more credits and $500 per credit hour for part-time studies. Antioch focuses on serving working adults who attend school part time or adults who have work experience and are now taking time to go to school full time. Antioch also offers credit for life and work experience. If approved, the cost for earning credit is $125 per credit hour.