2023 Best Online Community Colleges in Washington

Spokane Community College (SCC) is a public community college that offers associate degrees and certificate programs for distance learners. SCC has online degree programs like administrative assistant, accounting assistant, healthcare information management, computer network design, administration, and many more. In addition, the community college has several ready-to-transfer programs for students looking to further their education and eventually obtain a four-year degree.

At SCC, online students complete coursework in asynchronous and synchronous formats through the LMS Canvas. Remote student support at SCC includes IT services, career services, disability support, counseling, and academic advising.

At Skagit Valley College (SVC), a public institution, future students can pursue several online degrees and certificate programs. Some of the most popular areas of study for associate degree programs include education, business, and human services. Overall, SVC aims to provide flexibility for busy professionals looking to further their education and advance their careers.

SVC's online students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously via the LMS Canvas. A few examples of SVC’s online associate degree programs are General Studies, Applied Management, Biology, Business Management, Human Services, and Early Childhood Education. Remote student resources include tutoring, an online bookstore, disability support, counseling, and advising.

Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC) is a public institution that offers various online programs. SFCC offers degrees in business; education; social and behavioral science; health; humanities; STEM; and visual, performing, and applied arts. In addition, SFCC has certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees as part of career-focused programs.

SFCC facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning through the LMS Canvas. Sample SFCC online programs are early childhood education, business management, integrated community services, and others. Online students at SFCC can access IT support, counseling, tutoring, and career services.

Shoreline Community College (SCC) is a public college with online associate degrees and certificates. Some of the online associate degrees include accounting, business, computer science, and health information technology, among others. Between 90 and 96 credits are required for these majors. Most full-time students earn their degrees in two years. The acceptance rate at SCC is 100%, and 45% of students graduate.

SCC's learning management system is Canvas, where online students study in mostly asynchronous formats. The student-to-faculty ratio is 12-1. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Online students also may qualify for reduced tuition. They can also access online tutoring services and eLearning support, including Canvas learning sessions. At SCC, 45% of students are enrolled in at least one online class.

At Edmonds College, a public institution, students can pursue various online associate degrees and certificate programs. Edmonds has online degree programs that give students the flexibility to complete their coursework from anywhere. Online students can complete this coursework either asynchronously or synchronously via the LMS Canvas. A few of the college’s online associate degree programs are accounting, business information technology, environmental studies, event planning, business management, and more. Online students can access technical assistance, career services, and advising.

Peninsula College (PC) is a public institution offering online technical degrees, certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor's degrees. The online bachelor's degrees are available in management and feature specializations, such as tribal management, information technology management, and human resources management. Each online program requires 135 credits, allowing full-time students to reach graduation in approximately four years. PC has an open admissions policy and a 48% graduation rate.

Canvas is the learning management system at PC, where students take courses 100% online. The student-to-faculty ratio is 16-1. Financial aid and scholarships are available to online students, who can also receive support from PC through tutoring, one-on-one faculty engagement, and a writing and math center. PC is known for its online technical certificates in hospitality and ecotourism, multimedia communications, paralegal, and administrative office systems.