An emphasis on education helps Everett and Snohomish County maintain its highly skilled work force. From kindergarten through doctorate level degrees, educational opportunities are abundant.

The county?s school districts stress both basic learning skills and practical development to produce well-educated, well-prepared citizens who are able to compete in the increasingly complex job market and enjoy success in life?s endeavors.

The most recent addition to Everett?s educational choices is the Washington State Higher Education Center located at the unique Everett Station project, a just completed $44 million transportation hub. The facility will be home to higher education classes offered by five state universities including the University of Washington, Washington State University, Western Washington University, Central Washington University and Eastern Washington University. The career development offices of WorkSource Everett are another key feature of Everett Station.

Everett Station, located between Pacific Avenue and 35th Street southeast of Everett?s downtown core, is just one example of the innovative approaches Snohomish County residents use to broaden local educational opportunities.

Leading Edge Education Choices

The state of Washington has always been an education leader, with one of the most extensive community and technical college systems in the nation. This system provides easy access, within 40 miles, to a community or technical college for 98 percent of all Washington residents.

One of the fastest growing colleges in the state is Everett Community College. The school offers associates degrees in university transfer, technical and career areas. The college also offers associates degrees in Arts and Sciences, Technical Arts, General Studies, Fine Arts and Science, along with a wide variety of certificate, career training, basic skills and enrichment programs. The campus spreads over a 22-acre hilltop site in north Everett overlooking Legion Memorial Golf Course. Satellite centers are located in South Everett, Marysville, Monroe and Snohomish County Airport/Paine Field. Snohomish County residents are also served by Edmonds Community College, which offers a wide variety of two-year associate of arts programs, as well as four-year curricula in cooperation with renowned universities.

City University, the largest private non-profit university in the state, also provides bachelor?s and master?s degrees to the Everett area. Programs in business administration, project management, computer systems and e-commerce are all available at the Everett site. Teacher certification, principal certification and a master?s in education are also available.

Columbia College, with branches at Naval Station Everett and at the Naval Support Complex in Marysville, offers two-year associate degrees, bachelor?s and master?s degrees in a wide range of fields. The school also has a "Service Members Opportunity College" designation, which allows members of the military to gain credit for courses and training received at other stations where they might be transferred. The non-profit, private school?s class schedule is designed to provide maximum flexibility for working adults or other non-traditional students, as well as for traditional students.

The main campuses for the University of Washington, Seattle University, Western Washington University and several other major public and private universities are within an hour?s drive of the Everett area.

In addition, many specialized training schools and vocational programs are available. These include programs offered by the Private Industry Council, Applied Technology Center, Learning Solutions, High Tech Learning Center, Light Point Learning Solutions and the Sno-Isle Skill Center.