Bates Technical College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
Bates Technical College, founded in 1940, is a public technical college in Tacoma, Washington. It offers programs in maritime, healthcare, and IT. The campus includes a shipyard training center and a simulated hospital.
Bates is unranked but renowned for its hands-on trades training. Its Puget Sound location supports maritime and aerospace industries.
Bates Technical College Acceptance Rate
Admission at Bates Technical College is inclusive by design: 100% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Bates Technical College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Bates Technical College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Bates Technical College reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (April 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at Bates Technical College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Bates Technical College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Bates Technical College Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Bates Technical College — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Bates Technical College Without SAT or ACT?
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Bates Technical College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Bates Technical College provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Bates' Practical/Vocational Nursing program was placed on an NLN CNEA "show cause directive" from February to June 2025; the program's own current pages now show continuing accreditation approved through October 31, 2035, indicating the issue was resolved. Check the program's live accreditation status on Bates' site or the NLN CNEA board-actions page before applying, rather than relying on either the older warning or an assumption that nothing has changed.
Bates explicitly states its electrical program is the only one in the region that prepares students for direct entry into the Local 66 apprenticeship, crediting graduates a full year toward that apprenticeship upon completion. If electrical trades interest you, this program is a genuinely unique regional pipeline, not one of several comparable options - apply here specifically if Local 66 is your target union.
Through the Washington State Firefighter JATC partnership, member fire departments cover tuition and fees for firefighters enrolled in Bates' FESHE courses, provided the student maintains a 2.0 GPA or higher; students with GPAs between 0-1.9 have invoices sent directly to their fire department instead of automatic coverage. If you're a JATC-member firefighter, keep your GPA above 2.0 specifically to preserve automatic tuition sponsorship rather than shifting the cost burden to your department.
Bates' LPN program requires applicants to hold a current, unencumbered CNA license or documented completion of CNA Skills Set training, plus $1 million in personal liability insurance and a completed HIV/AIDS training certificate (minimum 7 hours) - requirements beyond the standard academic prerequisites. Complete your CNA credential and HIV/AIDS training well before the application opens (typically several months ahead), since these can't be completed concurrently with the application process.
A specific and current risk is applying to Bates' Practical Nursing program without checking its very recent accreditation history - the program underwent an NLN CNEA show cause directive in early-to-mid 2025, and while current information indicates the issue was resolved with accreditation now approved through 2035, a student relying on outdated third-party summaries could either wrongly avoid a now-solid program or wrongly assume ongoing good standing without verifying it directly.
Bates Technical College Profile
Is a Bates Technical College Degree Worth It?
Whether Bates Technical College is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $59,800, and graduates see a 4.36% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Bates Technical College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $15,805/year at Bates Technical College; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $4,176.
At Bates Technical College, 8.9% receive a Pell Grant and 1.9% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Bates Technical College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Bates Technical College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Bates Technical College graduates report a median income of $50,051, about 23% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at Bates Technical College
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Bates Technical College Admissions
Bates Technical College graduates earn a moderate median salary of $50,051/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Bates Technical College is relatively affordable, around $15,805/year.
Pell Grant data isn't published for Bates Technical College. Contact the financial aid office directly about need- and merit-based options.
Bates Technical College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before April 1, 2026 — that's Bates Technical College's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
