Best Small Colleges in Washington 2024

BEST IN WASHINGTON SMALL COLLEGES

Small colleges in Washington are a great option for students interested in a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Whether the focus is on the technical or on the liberal arts, small colleges give you the chance to pursue a well-rounded education while working closely with classmates and professors in a dynamic community atmosphere.

10 Best Small Colleges in Washington 2024

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  1. Evergreen State College
  2. Whitman College
  3. University of Puget Sound
  4. Seattle Pacific University
  5. Pacific Lutheran University
  6. Walla Walla University
  7. Whitworth University
  8. City University of Seattle
  9. DigiPen Institute of Technology
  10. Saint Martin's University
  1. Evergreen State College 99%
  2. Northwest University 96%
  3. Seattle Pacific University 92%
  4. Whitworth University 91%
  5. University of Puget Sound 88%
  6. Pacific Lutheran University 88%
  7. Saint Martin's University 72%
  8. Whitman College 59%
  9. DigiPen Institute of Technology 46%
  1. Yakima Valley College 19 to 1
  2. Clover Park Technical College 17 to 1
  3. North Seattle College 17 to 1
  4. South Seattle College 17 to 1
  5. Bellingham Technical College 16 to 1
  6. Evergreen State College 16 to 1
  7. Walla Walla University 15 to 1
  8. Spokane Falls Community College 15 to 1
  9. Grays Harbor College 14 to 1
  10. Centralia College 14 to 1
  1. Whitman College $55,982
  2. University of Puget Sound $55,670
  3. Pacific Lutheran University $48,226
  4. Whitworth University $47,590
  5. Saint Martin's University $40,690
  6. Seattle Pacific University $35,646
  7. DigiPen Institute of Technology $34,900
  8. Northwest University $33,980
  9. Walla Walla University $30,531
  10. Antioch University Seattle $21,600
  1. University of Puget Sound $36,047
  2. DigiPen Institute of Technology $29,100
  3. Pacific Lutheran University $29,084
  4. Seattle Pacific University $24,273
  5. Walla Walla University $24,048
  6. Northwest University $18,829
  7. Antioch University Seattle $18,024
  8. Saint Martin's University $15,840
  9. Whitworth University $12,456
  10. City University of Seattle $11,812
  1. Renton Technical College
  2. Bellingham Technical College
  3. Grays Harbor College
  4. Whatcom Community College
  5. Yakima Valley College
  6. Lake Washington Institute of Technology
  7. Clover Park Technical College
  8. South Seattle College
  9. Centralia College
  10. Skagit Valley College
  1. DigiPen Institute of Technology 46%
  2. Whitman College 59%
  3. Saint Martin's University 72%
  4. Pacific Lutheran University 88%
  5. University of Puget Sound 88%
  6. Whitworth University 91%
  7. Seattle Pacific University 92%
  8. Northwest University 96%
  9. Evergreen State College 99%
  1. Antioch University Seattle 3 to 1
  2. City University of Seattle 6 to 1
  3. Heritage University 6 to 1
  4. Whitman College 8 to 1
  5. Renton Technical College 9 to 1
  6. University of Puget Sound 9 to 1
  7. DigiPen Institute of Technology 10 to 1
  8. Northwest University 10 to 1
  9. Whitworth University 11 to 1
  10. Pacific Lutheran University 12 to 1
  1. Bellingham Technical College $2,832
  2. Spokane Falls Community College $3,029
  3. Lake Washington Institute of Technology $3,029
  4. Wenatchee Valley College $3,768
  5. Renton Technical College $3,781
  6. Grays Harbor College $3,826
  7. Peninsula College $3,826
  8. Skagit Valley College $3,826
  9. Centralia College $4,343
  10. Yakima Valley College $4,343
  1. Evergreen State College $9,329
  2. Heritage University $9,732
  3. City University of Seattle $11,812
  4. Whitworth University $12,456
  5. Saint Martin's University $15,840
  6. Antioch University Seattle $18,024
  7. Northwest University $18,829
  8. Walla Walla University $24,048
  9. Seattle Pacific University $24,273
  10. Pacific Lutheran University $29,084

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 Small Colleges and Universities Badge
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The following list of the best small colleges and universities in Washington is composed mainly of four-year undergraduate schools (though a handful also offer graduate programs). We’ve identified 27 small colleges in Washington. The list below of the 30 best small colleges in Washington. To be included schools must fully accredited, and must have student body populations below 5,000 students.

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Best Small Colleges in Washington 2023

  1. Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    46%

    Graduation

    57%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1240/28

    What is DigiPen Institute of Technology known for?

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

  2. #9

    Whitworth University

    Spokane , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $48K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    75%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1160/24

  3. 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

  4. #11

    Peninsula College

    Port Angeles , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    1K

    What is Peninsula College known for?

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

  5. #12

    Wenatchee Valley College

    Wenatchee , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    33%

    Student body

    3K

    What is Wenatchee Valley College known for?

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

  6. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    3K

    What is Lake Washington Institute of Technology known for?

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

  7. Tuition + fees

    $22K

    Student body

    <1K

    What is Antioch University Seattle known for?

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

  8. Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    33%

    Student body

    3K

    What is Spokane Falls Community College known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  9. #17

    Skagit Valley College

    Mount Vernon , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    35%

    Student body

    3K

    What is Skagit Valley College known for?

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

  10. #18

    Centralia College

    Centralia , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    2K

    What is Centralia College known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  11. #19

    North Seattle College

    Seattle , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    40%

    Student body

    3K

    What is North Seattle College known for?

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

  12. #20

    Whatcom Community College

    Bellingham , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    34%

    Student body

    2K

    What is Whatcom Community College known for?

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

  13. #21

    Heritage University

    Toppenish , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $19K

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    <1K

    What is Heritage University known for?

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

  14. Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    3K

    What is Clover Park Technical College known for?

    Clover Park Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  15. Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    37%

    Student body

    2K

    What is Bellingham Technical College known for?

    Bellingham Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  16. #24

    South Seattle College

    Seattle , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    4K

    What is South Seattle College known for?

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

  17. #25

    Yakima Valley College

    Yakima , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    34%

    Student body

    3K

    What is Yakima Valley College known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  18. #26

    Grays Harbor College

    Aberdeen , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    40%

    Student body

    1K

    What is Grays Harbor College known for?

    Grays Harbor College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  19. Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    57%

    Student body

    2K

    What is Renton Technical College known for?

    Renton Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

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Washington’s Best Small College in Your Area of Interest

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. Whitman College
  2. Evergreen State College
  3. University of Puget Sound
  4. Saint Martin's University
  5. Pacific Lutheran University
  6. Seattle Pacific University
  7. DigiPen Institute of Technology
  8. Walla Walla University
  9. Whitworth University
  10. Northwest University

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