Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Lake Washington Institute of Technology — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Lake Washington Institute of Technology at a Glance
The Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) is a public community college in Kirkland, Washington. LWTech is a member of the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and offers bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, and professional certificates in more than 40 areas of study.
1949
77 years old
$25M
$25.2 million
6,571
Identity
Is Lake Washington Institute of Technology Worth It?
Lake Washington Institute of Technology delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $6,817/year, it's priced 67% below average, while graduates go on to earn $50,669 — near the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 38% 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: Lake Washington Institute of Technology delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Lake Washington Institute of Technology compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WA
Ranked #17 of 182 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 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #6 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #17 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | 71 | $6,817 | $50,669 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Lake Washington Institute of Technology's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 23 in WA.
Best Programs at Lake Washington Institute of Technology
The highest-earning program at Lake Washington Institute of Technology is Design and Applied Arts at $46,300/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Design and Applied Arts graduate from Lake Washington Institute of Technology earns $46,300, while a Design and Applied Arts graduate earns $46,300. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $6,817/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
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts | $46,300 | $46,300 |
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Kirkland, WA
- Student Body
- 2,406 students
- Graduation Rate
- 38%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $6,817
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $50,669
- Median Student Debt
- $15,047