Best Colleges in Washington 2025
Here are the best colleges and universities in Washington. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you.
Key Takeaways
- The best colleges in Washington often integrate sustainability into their curriculum and campus operations, offering programs in environmental science, renewable energy, and urban planning, alongside eco-friendly initiatives like zero-waste policies and green buildings.
- Nestled in the Pacific Northwest, the best colleges in Washington provide students access to a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, skiing, and kayaking, fostering a balance between academic pursuits and an active lifestyle.
- Located near tech and aerospace hubs like Seattle, the institutions in our ranking provide unique opportunities for internships, research, and networking with companies in industries such as technology, biotechnology, and aviation.
10 Best Colleges in Washington in 2025
2025 Ranking Update
Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.
In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the best colleges in Washington saw a fair amount of movement. Evergreen State College gained the most ranking positions as the college is making significant strides, focusing on infrastructure, academic programs, and student support. Under President John Carmichael’s leadership, the college has implemented extensive infrastructure improvements, with his contract extended through 2027 to continue these efforts. Evergreen received $2.1 million in federal funding to enhance its STEM programs, investing in state-of-the-art scientific and computing equipment to provide hands-on, industry-aligned learning experiences.
Additionally, the “Forever Green” campaign raised $62.5 million, surpassing its $55 million goal, to support diverse student leaders, collaborative learning opportunities, and Native arts and cultures through various initiatives.
Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges
We’ve identified 47 colleges and universities in Washington that meet our criteria. This list of the top 25 colleges in Washington below focuses on schools that offer bachelor’s degrees. The ranking features fully accredited public and private colleges and universities in Washington.
10 Best Colleges in Washington
- #1 15 Best Self-paced Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #5 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2025 #5 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #5 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2025
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
48%
Graduation
84%
Student body
58K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Washington
Cost of Degree: $12,643Expenses: $21,909Starting Salary: $69,600Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Washington known for?
University of Washington’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Earth Sciences
- Computer Science
- Social Work
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Medical
- Criminal Justice
- Physics
- Psychology
- Engineering
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Research Universities in Washington 2025 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Washington 2024 #2 Best Public Colleges in Washington 2025 #2 Best Grad Schools in Washington 2025
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
62%
Student body
33K
Career Outlook for degree at Washington State University
Cost of Degree: $12,997Expenses: $17,535Starting Salary: $56,600Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Washington State University known for?
Washington State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Biology
- Sociology
- Chemistry
- Criminal Justice
- Earth Sciences
- Psychology
- Business
- Engineering
- Economics
- Anthropology
Most Influential Alumni
- #20 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2024 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Washington 2024 #1 Best Private Colleges in Washington 2024 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Tuition + fees
$51K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
74%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1265/27
Career Outlook for degree at Seattle University
Cost of Degree: $54,285Expenses: $19,328Starting Salary: $63,200Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Seattle University known for?
Seattle University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Computer Science
- Law
- Economics
- Engineering
- Criminal Justice
- Religious Studies
- Biology
- Business
- Psychology
Most Influential Alumni
- #1 Best Small Colleges in Washington 2025 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Washington 2025 #3 Best Public Colleges in Washington 2025 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Washington 2024
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
74%
Graduation
41%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1100/25
Career Outlook for degree at Evergreen State College
Cost of Degree: $8,999Expenses: $20,805Starting Salary: $36,900Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Evergreen State College known for?
Evergreen State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Christian Colleges in Washington 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in Washington 2024 #4 Best Research Universities in Washington 2025 #4 Best Grad Schools in Washington 2025
Tuition + fees
$51K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
88%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1310/28
Career Outlook for degree at Gonzaga University
Cost of Degree: $53,500Expenses: $20,749Starting Salary: $63,800Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Gonzaga University known for?
Gonzaga University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Washington 2025 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Washington 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in Washington 2025 #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
65%
Student body
17K
Median SAT/ACT
1235/27
Career Outlook for degree at Western Washington University
Cost of Degree: $9,286Expenses: $20,681Starting Salary: $50,600Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Western Washington University known for?
Western Washington University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Earth Sciences
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Chemistry
- Literature
- Communications
- Mathematics
- Physics
- History
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Small Colleges in Washington 2025 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Washington 2025 #4 Best Private Colleges in Washington 2024
Tuition + fees
$58K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
76%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1280/29
Career Outlook for degree at University of Puget Sound
Cost of Degree: $59,900Expenses: $18,664Starting Salary: $59,100Cost Recoup Time: 19 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Puget Sound known for?
University of Puget Sound’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Biology
- Physics
- Earth Sciences
- Sociology
- Philosophy
- Economics
- Mathematics
- Literature
- Political Science
- Anthropology
Most Influential Alumni
- #3 Best Small Colleges in Washington 2025 #3 Best Private Colleges in Washington 2024 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Washington 2025
Tuition + fees
$59K
Acceptance
48%
Graduation
90%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1383/31
Career Outlook for degree at Whitman College
Cost of Degree: $61,492Expenses: $16,840Starting Salary: $59,400Cost Recoup Time: 19 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Whitman College known for?
Whitman College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Physics
- Computer Science
- Sociology
- Literature
- Engineering
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Psychology
- Political Science
- Economics
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Washington 2024 #5 Best Public Colleges in Washington 2025 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Washington 2025 #4 Best Online Colleges in Washington 2024
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
50%
Student body
16K
Career Outlook for degree at Eastern Washington University
Cost of Degree: $8,353Expenses: $19,545Starting Salary: $46,700Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Eastern Washington University known for?
Eastern Washington University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Political Science
- Literature
- Education
- Medical
- Communications
- Mathematics
- History
Most Influential Alumni
- #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Washington 2024 #6 Best Public Colleges in Washington 2025 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Washington 2025 #5 Best Online Colleges in Washington 2024
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
52%
Student body
12K
Career Outlook for degree at Central Washington University
Cost of Degree: $9,192Expenses: $21,246Starting Salary: $50,100Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Central Washington University known for?
Central Washington University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Anthropology
- Earth Sciences
- Psychology
- Computer Science
- Social Work
- Education
- Business
- Criminal Justice
- Biology
- Chemistry
Most Influential Alumni
- #11 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2024 #3 Best Christian Colleges in Washington 2024 #4 Best Small Colleges in Washington 2025 #5 Best Research Universities in Washington 2025
Tuition + fees
$37K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
65%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1215/23
Career Outlook for degree at Seattle Pacific University
Cost of Degree: $38,814Expenses: $20,154Starting Salary: $54,200Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Seattle Pacific University known for?
Seattle Pacific University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Computer Science
- Religious Studies
- Psychology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Sociology
- Business
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Economics
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 Best Christian Colleges in Washington 2024 #5 Best Small Colleges in Washington 2025 #6 Best Private Colleges in Washington 2024 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Washington 2025
Tuition + fees
$51K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
72%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1338/28
Career Outlook for degree at Pacific Lutheran University
Cost of Degree: $50,272Expenses: $15,873Starting Salary: $53,500Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Pacific Lutheran University known for?
Pacific Lutheran University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Chemistry
- Earth Sciences
- Anthropology
- Literature
- Religious Studies
- History
- Biology
- Economics
- Business
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 Best Christian Colleges in Washington 2024 #6 Best Small Colleges in Washington 2025 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Washington 2025 #9 Best Private Colleges in Washington 2024
Tuition + fees
$32K
Graduation
63%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Walla Walla University
Cost of Degree: $33,027Expenses: $12,936Starting Salary: $50,900Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Walla Walla University known for?
Walla Walla University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Biology
- Religious Studies
- Engineering
- Psychology
- Education
- Computer Science
- Business
Most Influential Alumni
- #6 Best Christian Colleges in Washington 2024 #7 Best Small Colleges in Washington 2025 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Washington 2025 #10 Best Private Colleges in Washington 2024
Tuition + fees
$49K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
76%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1230/23
Career Outlook for degree at Whitworth University
Cost of Degree: $50,920Expenses: $18,293Starting Salary: $48,000Cost Recoup Time: 20 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Whitworth University known for?
Whitworth University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Psychology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Medical
- Religious Studies
- History
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #6 Best Grad Schools in Washington 2025 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Washington 2024 #8 Best Small Colleges in Washington 2025 #8 Best Private Colleges in Washington 2024
Tuition + fees
$14K
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at City University of Seattle
Cost of Degree: $13,965Expenses: $14,325Starting Salary: $53,400Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is City University of Seattle known for?
City University of Seattle’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
54%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Washington Tacoma
Cost of Degree: $12,817Expenses: $20,430Starting Salary: $69,600Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Washington Tacoma known for?
University of Washington Tacoma’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #7 Best Private Colleges in Washington 2024 #9 Best Small Colleges in Washington 2025 #25 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2025
Tuition + fees
$36K
Acceptance
66%
Graduation
60%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1286/28
Career Outlook for degree at DigiPen Institute of Technology
Cost of Degree: $37,400Expenses: $21,892Starting Salary: $82,400Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is DigiPen Institute of Technology known for?
DigiPen Institute of Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
69%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1330/26
Career Outlook for degree at University of Washington Bothell
Cost of Degree: $12,559Expenses: $22,125Starting Salary: $69,600Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Washington Bothell known for?
University of Washington Bothell’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #7 Best Christian Colleges in Washington 2024 #7 Best Grad Schools in Washington 2025 #10 Best Small Colleges in Washington 2025
Tuition + fees
$42K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
60%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1052/21
Career Outlook for degree at Saint Martin's University
Cost of Degree: $44,210Expenses: $17,980Starting Salary: $51,600Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Saint Martin's University known for?
Saint Martin's University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Engineering
- Literature
- Medical
- Social Work
- Computer Science
- History
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Community Colleges in Washington 2025 #8 Most Affordable Colleges in Washington 2024 #9 Best Public Colleges in Washington 2025
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
30%
Student body
17K
Career Outlook for degree at Bellevue College
Cost of Degree: $4,305Expenses: $23,934Starting Salary: $49,900Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Bellevue College known for?
Bellevue College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
28%
Student body
8K
Career Outlook for degree at Columbia Basin College
Cost of Degree: $6,194Expenses: $13,905Starting Salary: $39,400Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Columbia Basin College known for?
Columbia Basin College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
25%
Student body
7K
Career Outlook for degree at Seattle Central College
Cost of Degree: $5,058Starting Salary: $37,000What is Seattle Central College known for?
Seattle Central College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
40%
Student body
7K
Career Outlook for degree at Highline College
Cost of Degree: $4,623Expenses: $17,190Starting Salary: $40,900Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Highline College known for?
Highline College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
38%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Wenatchee Valley College
Cost of Degree: $5,118Expenses: $12,345Starting Salary: $36,700Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Wenatchee Valley College known for?
Wenatchee Valley College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
42%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Peninsula College
Cost of Degree: $4,586Starting Salary: $33,100What is Peninsula College known for?
Peninsula College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Washington’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest
2021 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.
- University of Washington
- Whitman College
- Evergreen State College
- University of Puget Sound
- Seattle University
- Saint Martin's University
- Washington State University
- Pacific Lutheran University
- Seattle Pacific University
- Western Washington University
- University of Washington Bothell
- University of Washington Tacoma
- Walla Walla University
- Gonzaga University
- Whitworth University
- Northwest University
- Central Washington University