Bates Technical College
Bates Technical College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Bates Technical College at a Glance
Bates Technical College is a public technical college in Tacoma, Washington. The college offers Associate of Applied Science degrees, academic certificates, and industry certifications. Bates is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
1940
86 years old
Identity
Is Bates Technical College Worth It?
Bates Technical College is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $6,292/year net price and $50,051 median earnings, graduates earn 8.0× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 43% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: Bates Technical College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Bates Technical College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WA
Ranked #8 of 150 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | New College of Florida | 100 | $7,195 | $48,082 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #8 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Bates Technical College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 16 in WA.
Best Programs at Bates Technical College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Bates Technical College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $6,292/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Tacoma, WA
- Student Body
- 1,813 students
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $6,292
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $50,051