Lakewood, Washington Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)

Last updated: June 4, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

TL;DR

Colleges in Lakewood, Washington: median public in-state tuition $6,026 (+9.3% vs national median) median graduate debt $12,056 (-9.2% vs U.S.) 7,949 students enrolled statewide.

Key Facts

  • Institutions in this profile: 2 campuses
  • Total college enrollment: 7,949 students
  • Median public in-state tuition: $6,026 (+9.3% vs U.S.)
  • Median net price: $10,043 (+0.7% vs U.S.)
  • Median student debt at graduation: $12,056 (-9.2% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $11,537
  • Average completion rate (institutions in state): 36.8%

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Overview

Colleges and universities in Lakewood serve students across Washington with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 2 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 7,949 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $6,026. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Lakewood, Washington and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.

Lakewood vs Washington & national benchmarks

Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.

State versus regional and national education metrics
Geography In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion rate Enrollment
Lakewood, Washington$6,026$10,043$12,05636.8%7,949
Washington (state median)$5,356$9,863$13,65346.0%225,805
United States$5,512$9,969$13,27150.3%14,468,221

Earnings & employment outcomes: Lakewood, Washington vs benchmarks

Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.

Earnings and employment outcome benchmarks
Geography Median earnings (10 yr) Working & not enrolled (8 yr) Retention (FT yr 1) 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment progress Debt ÷ earnings
Lakewood, WashingtonN/AN/AN/A——N/AN/A
Washington (state median)$64,50690.3%78.9%3.2%—80.4%0.34
United States$54,38488.0%76.4%5.0%—73.7%0.41

Other cities in Washington (3+ campuses)

Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.

Peer comparison table
City In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion Enrollment Earnings (10 yr) Working (8 yr)
Lakewood, Washington$6,026$10,043$12,05636.8%7,949N/AN/A
Seattle$15,201$24,488$13,00057.1%48,555$72,36690.0%
Pullman$12,534$14,971$19,50060.5%21,099$68,90591.7%
Bellingham$4,773$11,795$17,45939.0%18,319$62,56990.3%
Tacoma$13,168$19,589$16,13257.7%15,903$68,29289.7%
Spokane$14,784$19,222$15,82550.0%15,529$68,72693.9%
Bothell$9,038$12,300$10,49248.7%6,489$78,46689.3%
Everett$5,032$12,416$10,41736.6%5,881N/AN/A
Olympia$7,258$16,726$15,75042.2%5,235$45,32080.3%
United States$5,512$9,969$13,27150.3%14,468,221$54,38488.0%

In-state tuition: Lakewood, Washington vs benchmarks

Sticker price

Lakewood, Washington median in-state tuition is $6,026, +9.3% vs the U.S. median.

Student debt: Lakewood, Washington vs benchmarks

Borrowing

Median debt at graduation in Lakewood, Washington is $12,056 (-9.2% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $11,537.

Analysis & insights

EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.

Costs & borrowing

Lakewood, Washington median public in-state tuition is $6,026, about +9.3% vs the national median. Versus the Far West region, tuition is +83.5%.

Median graduate debt is $12,056 (-9.2% below the U.S. median of $13,271). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.

Completion & workforce context

Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Lakewood, Washington is 36.8% (national institution average about 50.3%).

Frequently Asked Questions

How many colleges are in Lakewood?

This city profile covers 2 campuses in Lakewood, Washington with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.

How much does college cost in Lakewood?

Median in-state tuition in Lakewood is $6,026 and median net price is $10,043. For Washington overall, medians are $5,356 and $9,863; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.

What do graduates earn in Lakewood?

Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Lakewood is N/A vs $64,506 for Washington and $54,384 nationally.

What is student debt like for Lakewood colleges?

Median completer debt in Lakewood is $12,056 vs $13,653 for Washington and $13,271 nationally.

Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Lakewood?

Among 2 College Scorecard campuses in Lakewood, Washington, none are flagged as HBCUs or tribal colleges in IPEDS, and none meet our 25% Hispanic-enrollment HSI proxy or report a religious affiliation in IPEDS.

Sources & related