Best Public Colleges in Washington 2025

Badge for BEST IN WASHINGTON PUBLIC COLLEGES

Key Takeaways

  • The best public colleges in Washington often offer competitive in-state tuition rates, making higher education more accessible to local students while still providing quality education and resources.
  • Many public colleges in Washington emphasize school spirit, traditions, and community involvement, fostering a vibrant campus life that appeals to students seeking a well-rounded college experience.
  • The colleges in our ranking provide a wide range of academic programs, including strong research opportunities in fields like engineering, business, and health sciences, offering students the chance to gain hands-on experience in their areas of interest.

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.

The top 2 positions in our 2025 ranking of the best public colleges in Washington, while Evergreen State College moved up 1 spot into the number 3 position.

The Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at UW has launched a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (BSECE) program, with plans to seek ABET accreditation during the 2025-2026 review period. Additionally, the School of Nursing has expanded its Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, offering more start dates to accommodate a growing number of students pursuing careers in healthcare.

WSU has launched new degree programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a Master of Veterinary Anatomic Pathology, both available on the Pullman campus. Additionally, a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work is set to debut in Fall 2025 at the WSU Tri-Cities campus.

The Evergreen State College has expanded its curriculum to include new certificate programs in high-demand fields. The school has also invested in state-of-the-art scientific and computing equipment, enhancing hands-on learning experiences in STEM disciplines. These improvements are supported by a $2.1 million federal funding boost aimed at advancing STEM education initiatives.

Furthermore, the college has increased its student aid budget by 66%, resulting in a 16% rise in the average scholarship award, thereby making education more accessible to a diverse student body.

This list is composed entirely of public colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 32 public universities in Washington. To be included in our list of the best public colleges in Washington, shcools must receive direct funding from the state, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor’s degress.

Best Public Colleges in Washington 2025

  1. Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    48%

    Graduation

    84%

    Student body

    58K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Washington

    Cost of Degree: $12,643
    Expenses: $21,909
    Starting Salary: $69,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    33K

    Career Outlook for degree at Washington State University

    Cost of Degree: $12,997
    Expenses: $17,535
    Starting Salary: $56,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. 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: $8,999
    Expenses: $20,805
    Starting Salary: $36,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Evergreen State College known for?

    Evergreen State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  4. 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: $9,286
    Expenses: $20,681
    Starting Salary: $50,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  5. Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    16K

    Career Outlook for degree at Eastern Washington University

    Cost of Degree: $8,353
    Expenses: $19,545
    Starting Salary: $46,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  6. Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    12K

    Career Outlook for degree at Central Washington University

    Cost of Degree: $9,192
    Expenses: $21,246
    Starting Salary: $50,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  7. Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Washington Tacoma

    Cost of Degree: $12,817
    Expenses: $20,430
    Starting Salary: $69,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Washington Tacoma known for?

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

  8. 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: $12,559
    Expenses: $22,125
    Starting Salary: $69,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Washington Bothell known for?

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

  9. #9

    Bellevue College

    Bellevue , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    17K

    Career Outlook for degree at Bellevue College

    Cost of Degree: $4,305
    Expenses: $23,934
    Starting Salary: $49,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Bellevue College known for?

    Bellevue College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  10. Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    28%

    Student body

    8K

    Career Outlook for degree at Columbia Basin College

    Cost of Degree: $6,194
    Expenses: $13,905
    Starting Salary: $39,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Columbia Basin College known for?

    Columbia Basin College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  11. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    25%

    Student body

    7K

    Career Outlook for degree at Seattle Central College

    Cost of Degree: $5,058
    Starting Salary: $37,000
    What is Seattle Central College known for?

    Seattle Central College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  12. #12

    Highline College

    Des Moines , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    40%

    Student body

    7K

    Career Outlook for degree at Highline College

    Cost of Degree: $4,623
    Expenses: $17,190
    Starting Salary: $40,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Highline College known for?

    Highline College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  13. Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    29%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Spokane Falls Community College

    Cost of Degree: $4,057
    Starting Salary: $34,900
    What is Spokane Falls Community College known for?

    Spokane Falls Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  14. #14

    Wenatchee Valley College

    Wenatchee , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for degree at Wenatchee Valley College

    Cost of Degree: $5,118
    Expenses: $12,345
    Starting Salary: $36,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Wenatchee Valley College known for?

    Wenatchee Valley College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  15. #15

    Olympic College

    Bremerton , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    7K

    Career Outlook for degree at Olympic College

    Cost of Degree: $4,472
    Expenses: $15,408
    Starting Salary: $38,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Olympic College known for?

    Olympic College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  16. Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    35%

    Student body

    10K

    Career Outlook for degree at Spokane Community College

    Cost of Degree: $4,057
    Starting Salary: $37,200
    What is Spokane Community College known for?

    Spokane Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  17. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    33%

    Student body

    8K

    Career Outlook for degree at Tacoma Community College

    Cost of Degree: $4,920
    Starting Salary: $40,700
    What is Tacoma Community College known for?

    Tacoma Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  18. #18

    Peninsula College

    Port Angeles , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Peninsula College

    Cost of Degree: $4,586
    Starting Salary: $33,100
    What is Peninsula College known for?

    Peninsula College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  19. #19

    Skagit Valley College

    Mount Vernon , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    34%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for degree at Skagit Valley College

    Cost of Degree: $5,620
    Expenses: $13,610
    Starting Salary: $36,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Skagit Valley College known for?

    Skagit Valley College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  20. #20

    Edmonds College

    Lynnwood , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    10K

    Career Outlook for degree at Edmonds College

    Cost of Degree: $4,668
    Expenses: $23,934
    Starting Salary: $42,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Edmonds College known for?

    Edmonds College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  21. #21

    Green River College

    Auburn , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    9K

    Career Outlook for degree at Green River College

    Cost of Degree: $4,580
    Starting Salary: $42,000
    What is Green River College known for?

    Green River College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  22. #22

    North Seattle College

    Seattle , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    28%

    Student body

    8K

    Career Outlook for degree at North Seattle College

    Cost of Degree: $5,058
    Starting Salary: $43,200
    What is North Seattle College known for?

    North Seattle College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  23. #23

    Centralia College

    Centralia , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Centralia College

    Cost of Degree: $5,109
    Expenses: $22,515
    Starting Salary: $35,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Centralia College known for?

    Centralia College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  24. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for degree at Lake Washington Institute of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $5,156
    Starting Salary: $47,200
    What is Lake Washington Institute of Technology known for?

    Lake Washington Institute of Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  25. #25

    Whatcom Community College

    Bellingham , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Whatcom Community College

    Cost of Degree: $5,146
    Expenses: $23,934
    Starting Salary: $38,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Whatcom Community College known for?

    Whatcom Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

What is the difference between public and private colleges?

Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.

Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.

Back to Top

Washington’s Best Public College in Your Area of Interest

Check out our directory of public colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top public colleges in every state.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here