Best Grad Schools in Washington 2023

Best Grad Schools in Washington 2023
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Washington offer advanced degrees, such as master’s degrees and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.

Key Takeaways

  • Ohio has 8 of the best graduate programs, each offering doctorate degrees and a wide array of master’s degrees.
  • The best graduate programs allow students to advance their knowledge and boost their career prospects.

10 Best Grad Schools in Washington

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  1. University of Washington
    2. 73%
  2. Washington State University
    3. 54%
  3. Seattle University
    4. 47%
  4. Gonzaga University
    5. 40%
  5. Seattle Pacific University
    6. 32%
  6. City University of Seattle
    7. 26%
  7. Saint Martin's University
    8. 22%
  8. Northwest University
    9. 16%
  1. Northwest University
    2. 96%
  2. Seattle Pacific University
    3. 92%
  3. Washington State University
    4. 86%
  4. Seattle University
    5. 82%
  5. Gonzaga University
    6. 76%
  6. Saint Martin's University
    7. 72%
  7. University of Washington
    8. 53%
  1. University of Washington
    2. 20 to 1
  2. Washington State University
    3. 16 to 1
  3. Seattle Pacific University
    4. 13 to 1
  4. Saint Martin's University
    5. 12 to 1
  5. Gonzaga University
    6. 11 to 1
  6. Seattle University
    7. 10 to 1
  7. Northwest University
    8. 10 to 1
  8. City University of Seattle
    9. 6 to 1
  1. Seattle University
    2. $49,335
  2. Gonzaga University
    3. $48,470
  3. Saint Martin's University
    4. $40,690
  4. Seattle Pacific University
    5. $35,646
  5. Northwest University
    6. $33,980
  6. City University of Seattle
    7. $13,658
  7. University of Washington
    8. $10,927
  8. Washington State University
    9. $10,457
  1. Seattle Pacific University
    2. $24,273
  2. Northwest University
    3. $18,829
  3. University of Washington
    4. $16,605
  4. Saint Martin's University
    5. $15,840
  5. Gonzaga University
    6. $14,499
  6. Seattle University
    7. $13,770
  7. Washington State University
    8. $12,076
  8. City University of Seattle
    9. $11,812
  1. Northwest University
    2. 16%
  2. Saint Martin's University
    3. 22%
  3. City University of Seattle
    4. 26%
  4. Seattle Pacific University
    5. 32%
  5. Gonzaga University
    6. 40%
  6. Seattle University
    7. 47%
  7. Washington State University
    8. 54%
  8. University of Washington
    9. 73%
  1. University of Washington
    2. 53%
  2. Saint Martin's University
    3. 72%
  3. Gonzaga University
    4. 76%
  4. Seattle University
    5. 82%
  5. Washington State University
    6. 86%
  6. Seattle Pacific University
    7. 92%
  7. Northwest University
    8. 96%
  1. City University of Seattle
    2. 6 to 1
  2. Seattle University
    3. 10 to 1
  3. Northwest University
    4. 10 to 1
  4. Gonzaga University
    5. 11 to 1
  5. Saint Martin's University
    6. 12 to 1
  6. Seattle Pacific University
    7. 13 to 1
  7. Washington State University
    8. 16 to 1
  8. University of Washington
    9. 20 to 1
  1. Washington State University
    2. $10,457
  2. University of Washington
    3. $10,927
  3. City University of Seattle
    4. $13,658
  4. Northwest University
    5. $33,980
  5. Seattle Pacific University
    6. $35,646
  6. Saint Martin's University
    7. $40,690
  7. Gonzaga University
    8. $48,470
  8. Seattle University
    9. $49,335
  1. City University of Seattle
    2. $11,812
  2. Washington State University
    3. $12,076
  3. Seattle University
    4. $13,770
  4. Gonzaga University
    5. $14,499
  5. Saint Martin's University
    6. $15,840
  6. University of Washington
    7. $16,605
  7. Northwest University
    8. $18,829
  8. Seattle Pacific University
    9. $24,273

Colleges and Universities in Washington

Of the 40 public options, the University of Washington in Seattle is the largest. Roughly 40,000 students attend classes in fields like nursing, education, biology, and computer science. This public research institution is also affordable, charging about $11,000 for tuition. In fact, none of the public schools in Washington exceed $12,000 in price. This includes community colleges, technical colleges, and four-year universities, making Washington a uniquely affordable place to earn your associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Washington also has 24 private institutions. Of those, nine are religious. The most widely known of these, Catholic university Gonzaga enrolls roughly 7,000 students, at a cost of $40,000, in areas such as religious studies, engineering, and law. Central Washington University (CWU) is a smaller public school, serving just over 12,000 students, and has a tuition of $8,000. With 15% of its population being Hispanic, CWU is now recognized as an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution. Washington health professions also have the opportunity to receive funding for loan repayment through Washington’s Health Professional Loan Repayment Program.

Set in the Pacific Northwest, Washington offers ocean beaches and lush forests. In fact, over half the state is covered in forests, earning Washington its nickname as The Evergreen State. Viewers atop the Space Needle in Seattle can take in the sights of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and both the Cascades and Olympic mountain ranges. In addition, prospective students can choose from over 60 higher education institutions in the state.

Check out the top higher education programs and find an affordable degree in Washington.


What are Washington’s Colleges & Universities?

Washington’s Best Overall


Washington's Best Grad Schools Badge
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There are 8 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Washington. Our ranking of the best grad schools in the Washington is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of master’s degrees.

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Best Grad Schools in Washington 2022

  1. #1

    University of Washington

    Seattle , WA
    #4 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2023 #5 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2023 #5 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023 #7 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    53%

    Graduation

    84%

    Student body

    44K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1326/30

    What is University of Washington known for?

    University of Washington’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  8. #7

    Saint Martin's University

    Lacey , WA
    #7 Best Christian Colleges in Washington 2023 #10 Best Small Colleges in Washington 2023

    Tuition + fees

    $41K

    Acceptance

    72%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1045/19

    What is Saint Martin's University known for?

    Saint Martin's University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  9. #8

    Northwest University

    Kirkland , WA
    #8 Best Christian Colleges in Washington 2023

    Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1107/22

    What is Northwest University known for?

    Northwest University ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

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Washington’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 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.

  1. University of Washington
  2. Washington State University
  3. Seattle University
  4. Seattle Pacific University
  5. Gonzaga University
  6. Northwest University
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