Best Research Universities in Washington 2024

Badge for BEST IN WASHINGTON RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES
By Dr. James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Interested in attending a STEM school in Washington? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.

Best Research Universities in Washington 2024

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  1. University of Washington
  2. Washington State University
  3. Seattle University
  4. Gonzaga University
  5. Seattle Pacific University
  1. University of Washington
  2. Washington State University
  3. Seattle University
  4. Gonzaga University
  5. Seattle Pacific University
  1. Seattle Pacific University 91%
  2. Seattle University 85%
  3. Washington State University 83%
  4. Gonzaga University 70%
  5. University of Washington 48%
  1. University of Washington 21 to 1
  2. Washington State University 15 to 1
  3. Gonzaga University 12 to 1
  4. Seattle Pacific University 12 to 1
  5. Seattle University 10 to 1
  1. Seattle University $51,324
  2. Gonzaga University $50,735
  3. Seattle Pacific University $37,158
  4. University of Washington $11,189
  5. Washington State University $10,708
  1. Seattle Pacific University $19,764
  2. Gonzaga University $19,422
  3. University of Washington $17,004
  4. Seattle University $14,292
  5. Washington State University $12,366
  1. Seattle Pacific University
  2. Gonzaga University
  3. Seattle University
  4. Washington State University
  5. University of Washington
  1. Seattle Pacific University
  2. Gonzaga University
  3. Seattle University
  4. Washington State University
  5. University of Washington
  1. University of Washington 48%
  2. Gonzaga University 70%
  3. Washington State University 83%
  4. Seattle University 85%
  5. Seattle Pacific University 91%
  1. Seattle University 10 to 1
  2. Gonzaga University 12 to 1
  3. Seattle Pacific University 12 to 1
  4. Washington State University 15 to 1
  5. University of Washington 21 to 1
  1. Washington State University $10,708
  2. University of Washington $11,189
  3. Seattle Pacific University $37,158
  4. Gonzaga University $50,735
  5. Seattle University $51,324
  1. Washington State University $12,366
  2. Seattle University $14,292
  3. University of Washington $17,004
  4. Gonzaga University $19,422
  5. Seattle Pacific University $19,764

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

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

Washington's Best Research Universities Badge
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A research university is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees. Research universities invest heavily in research, which consequently provides meaningful and extensive opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in research. We’ve identified 5 research universities in Washington. To be included in our ranking, schools must be a fully accredited universities and must must offer doctoral degrees across the range of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

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Best Research Universities in Washington 2023

  1. #1

    University of Washington

    Seattle , WA
    #1 15 Best Self-paced Online Colleges Ranked for 2024 #4 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2024 #4 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #4 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    48%

    Graduation

    84%

    Student body

    58K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Washington

    Cost of Degree: $12,242
    Expenses: $19,848
    Starting Salary: $69,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Washington known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  5. #5

    Seattle Pacific University

    Seattle , WA
    #11 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2024 #3 Best Christian Colleges in Washington 2024 #4 Best Small Colleges in Washington 2024 #5 Best Grad Schools in Washington 2024
    Other Rankings

    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: $37,158
    Expenses: $18,579
    Starting Salary: $54,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Seattle Pacific University known for?

    Seattle Pacific University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
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Find the Best Research Universities in Washington 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
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.

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

Check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.

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