Washington Community Colleges
Computer Science Programs
Computer science and IT pathways at community colleges in this state. Programming, networking, cybersecurity, and transfer-track CS courses.
15 colleges · 248 sections · 111 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
Washington community colleges offer two distinct CS pathways: an associate of applied science (AAS) for students aiming directly at help-desk, network admin, or junior developer roles, and a transfer-track AS that articulates to a bachelor's in computer science at a four-year school. The 248 sections this term across 15 SBCTC institutions cover programming (Python, Java, JavaScript), data structures, networking, cybersecurity, and intro computer science theory.
Two-year CC programs aren't a shortcut to a software engineering career — most SWE roles still require a bachelor's — but the IT-support, sysadmin, and cybersecurity-tech career paths absolutely start here. For students who want to be a software developer, the transfer-track AS lets you complete two years at community-college tuition before continuing to a CS bachelor's, with credit articulation in place at most Washington four-year programs.
Colleges offering Computer Science
Pick a college to see its full plan — every required course, which ones transfer to the school you want, and what’s open now.
Computer Science is a transfer program — community colleges offer the coursework; you earn the degree, and its earnings, at a four-year university. See where it transfers →
| College | Sections | Courses | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highline College | 45 | 20 | 29 |
| Whatcom Community College | 43 | 19 | 18 |
| Spokane Community College | 33 | 30 | 32 |
| Olympic College | 31 | 13 | 18 |
| Pierce College District | 19 | 10 | 17 |
| Edmonds College | 18 | 18 | 13 |
| Spokane Falls Community College | 18 | 6 | 12 |
| Clark College | 12 | 6 | 1 |
| North Seattle College | 7 | 4 | 1 |
| Seattle Central College | 7 | 3 | 2 |
| South Seattle College | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Bellingham Technical College | 3 | 2 | — |
| Renton Technical College | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| South Puget Sound Community College | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Wenatchee Valley College | 1 | 1 | — |
Computer Science Availability Snapshot
How computer science sections are being offered across 15 colleges in Washington this term (248 sections total).
Delivery format
- online149 (60%)
- hybrid60 (24%)
- in person39 (16%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)52
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)31
- Evening (5 PM and after)21
- Asynchronous / TBA144
Start dates
Sections begin on 7 distinct dates. 7 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 71 distinct instructors across 15 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
Bates Technical College1 program
Bellevue College6 programs
Bellingham Technical College1 program
General Education Courses
Academic Core
- BIT 100Survey of Business and Information Technology2 sections+ plan
- CS 132Computer Science II C++not offered+ plan
- IT 101Using Network Computer Systems4 sections+ plan
- IT 107Using Cloud Services2 sections+ plan
- IT 112A+ Hardwarenot offered+ plan
- IT 120Command Line Interface & Scriptingnot offered+ plan
- IT 121Introduction to Programming2 sections+ plan
- IT 141A+ Operating Systems4 sections+ plan
- IT 142Windows Desktop I2 sections+ plan
- IT 160Network Technology Inot offered+ plan
- IT 161Network Technology II2 sections+ plan
- IT 210Information Security2 sections+ plan
- IT 240Linux Server Administration2 sections+ plan
- IT 242Windows Server I2 sections+ plan
- IT 250Cloud & IOT Fundamentals2 sections+ plan
- IT 270Field-Based Experience1 section+ plan
Source: College catalog
Cascadia College2 programs
Centralia College1 program
Clark College3 programs
Edmonds College7 programs
Grays Harbor College2 programs
Green River College19 programs
Highline College3 programs
Lake Washington Institute of Technology3 programs
Olympic College9 programs
Pierce College District5 programs
Renton Technical College4 programs
Shoreline Community College4 programs
Skagit Valley College2 programs
South Puget Sound Community College5 programs
Spokane Community College1 program
The software development program trains students in current web and desktop application development using diverse industry technologies. Software development is an evolving field of study requiring continuing education and the ability to adapt to constant change. Graduates from this program acquire problem solving skills, are encouraged to work independently and as a team, and be ethical in all interactions.<br /> <br /> Students must maintain a grade of 2.0 in each class.
Plan all required coursesSource: College catalog
Spokane Falls Community College2 programs
Tacoma Community College3 programs
Walla Walla Community College1 program
Quarter One
Quarter Two
Quarter One
Quarter Two
Quarter Three
Source: College catalog
Yakima Valley College2 programs
Common Computer Science courses
- CIS 110Information Systems Concepts(11 sections)
- CSC 110Introduction to Computer Programming(10 sections)
- CIS 150System Foundations(9 sections)
- CIS 236Information System Security I(7 sections)
- CIS 121Introduction to Computer Information Systems(7 sections)
- CSC 142Computer Programming I(5 sections)
- CIS 100Computer Information Systems Foundations(5 sections)
- CSE 120Introduction to Electrical/Computing(4 sections)
- CIS 155Information Security Foundations(4 sections)
- CIS 161Advanced Systems(4 sections)
- CIS 370Network Forensics and Investigations(4 sections)
- CIS 389Big Data Analytics(4 sections)
Career outlook for Computer Science graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare Washington’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I become a software engineer with an associate degree?
- Possible but uncommon. Most software engineering roles require a bachelor's in computer science or equivalent experience. The realistic CC-grad direct path is IT support / help desk → junior systems administrator → systems engineer, often with industry certifications (CompTIA Network+, Security+, AWS) earned alongside the degree.
- Does community college CS credit transfer to a CS bachelor's?
- Yes, if you pick the transfer-track AS rather than the career-track AAS. The two tracks share courses but have different math sequences — transfer-track requires Calculus I and II; AAS often uses applied math or business math. Confirm with your target four-year school's transfer office before enrolling.
- What programming languages do Washington community colleges teach?
- Python is dominant for intro courses and data-science tracks. Java is common in transfer-track CS sequences (mirroring what most four-year schools teach in their first two years). JavaScript appears in web-development AAS programs. C++ shows up in some game-dev and embedded-systems tracks. Check each college's catalog below for specifics.
- Is cybersecurity a good track at Washington CCs?
- Yes — it's one of the highest-employment direct-career paths from a CC. Most Washington community college cybersecurity programs are aligned with the NSA / DHS Center of Academic Excellence framework and prepare students for industry certifications like Security+ and CySA+. Graduates step into SOC analyst, junior pen-test, or IT-security-admin roles.
Compare Computer Science programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Washington’s computer science programs stack up.
Other programs in Washington
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.