Best Small Colleges in Washington 2026
Key Takeaways
- Washington’s small colleges offer a large range of degrees so that every student can find a topic of interest to study.
- The best small colleges in Washington offer students a more intimate campus experience, resulting in more personal attention from professors.
- Small colleges in Washington offer immediate access to support services for their students.
10 Best Small Colleges in Washington 2026
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.
Best Small Colleges in Washington 2025
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Washington 2026 #3 Best Colleges in Washington 2026 #3 Best Public Colleges in Washington 2026 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Washington 2026
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
38%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1144/26
Career Outlook for degree at Evergreen State College
Cost of Degree: $8,999Expenses: $20,805Starting Salary: $48,982Cost Recoup Time: 12 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
- #3 Best Private Colleges in Washington 2026 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Washington 2026 #7 Best Colleges in Washington 2026
Tuition + fees
$66K
Acceptance
72%
Graduation
69%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1275/29
Career Outlook for degree at University of Puget Sound
Cost of Degree: $59,900Expenses: $18,664Starting Salary: $71,918Cost Recoup Time: 17 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
- #4 Best Private Colleges in Washington 2026 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Washington 2026 #8 Best Colleges in Washington 2026
Tuition + fees
$67K
Acceptance
38%
Graduation
75%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1395/31
Career Outlook for degree at Whitman College
Cost of Degree: $61,492Expenses: $16,840Starting Salary: $70,813Cost Recoup Time: 17 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
- #15 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2026 #3 Best Christian Colleges in Washington 2026 #5 Best Research Universities in Washington 2026 #5 Best Private Colleges in Washington 2026
Tuition + fees
$44K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
55%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1185/24
Career Outlook for degree at Seattle Pacific University
Cost of Degree: $38,814Expenses: $20,154Starting Salary: $71,277Cost Recoup Time: 14 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
- Psychology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Sociology
- Business
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Economics
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 Best Christian Colleges in Washington 2026 #6 Best Private Colleges in Washington 2026 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Washington 2026
Tuition + fees
$53K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
64%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1150/25
Career Outlook for degree at Pacific Lutheran University
Cost of Degree: $50,272Expenses: $15,873Starting Salary: $71,109Cost Recoup Time: 15 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
- #21 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2026 #5 Best Christian Colleges in Washington 2026 #7 Best Private Colleges in Washington 2026 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Washington 2026
Tuition + fees
$36K
Graduation
58%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Walla Walla University
Cost of Degree: $33,027Expenses: $12,936Starting Salary: $67,140Cost Recoup Time: 13 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 2026 #8 Best Private Colleges in Washington 2026 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Washington 2026
Tuition + fees
$55K
Acceptance
90%
Graduation
67%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1210/25
Career Outlook for degree at Whitworth University
Cost of Degree: $50,920Expenses: $18,293Starting Salary: $64,055Cost Recoup Time: 17 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 2026 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Washington 2026 #9 Best Private Colleges in Washington 2026 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Washington 2026
Tuition + fees
$14K
Graduation
13%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at City University of Seattle
Cost of Degree: $13,965Expenses: $14,325Starting Salary: $66,765Cost Recoup Time: 9 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:
- #10 Best Private Colleges in Washington 2026 #25 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2026
Tuition + fees
$40K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
63%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1275/28
Career Outlook for degree at DigiPen Institute of Technology
Cost of Degree: $37,400Expenses: $21,892Starting Salary: $80,038Cost 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
$47K
Acceptance
90%
Graduation
56%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1127/18
Career Outlook for degree at Saint Martin's University
Cost of Degree: $44,210Expenses: $17,980Starting Salary: $70,376Cost Recoup Time: 15 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
- #6 Best Community Colleges in Washington 2026 #10 Fastest Accelerated Online Associate's of Counseling Degree Programs
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
32%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Spokane Falls Community College
Cost of Degree: $4,057Starting Salary: $42,786What is Spokane Falls Community College known for?
Spokane Falls Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
36%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Wenatchee Valley College
Cost of Degree: $5,118Expenses: $12,345Starting Salary: $45,574Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Wenatchee Valley College known for?
Wenatchee Valley College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #8 Best Christian Colleges in Washington 2026 #8 Best Grad Schools in Washington 2026 #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in Washington 2026 #4 Best Online MBA Programs in Washington
Tuition + fees
$37K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
67%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Northwest University
Cost of Degree: $36,035Expenses: $14,812Starting Salary: $61,237Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Northwest University known for?
Northwest University ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
- Social Work
- Nursing
- Political Science
- Literature
- History
- Communications
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
41%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Clover Park Technical College
Cost of Degree: $6,634Starting Salary: $48,551What is Clover Park Technical College known for?
Clover Park Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$11K
Graduation
38%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Cost of Degree: $5,156Starting Salary: $56,471What is Lake Washington Institute of Technology known for?
Lake Washington Institute of Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$19K
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Antioch University Seattle
Cost of Degree: $19,410Starting Salary: $54,447What is Antioch University Seattle known for?
Antioch University Seattle’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
45%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Peninsula College
Cost of Degree: $4,586Starting Salary: $41,574What is Peninsula College known for?
Peninsula College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
30%
Student body
8K
Career Outlook for degree at North Seattle College
Cost of Degree: $5,058Starting Salary: $56,814What is North Seattle College known for?
North Seattle College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$22K
Graduation
57%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Heritage University
Cost of Degree: $19,920Starting Salary: $58,279What is Heritage University known for?
Heritage University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
34%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at Skagit Valley College
Cost of Degree: $5,620Expenses: $13,610Starting Salary: $50,327Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Skagit Valley College known for?
Skagit Valley College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
33%
Student body
8K
Career Outlook for degree at South Seattle College
Cost of Degree: $4,865Starting Salary: $58,451What is South Seattle College known for?
South Seattle College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
40%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Centralia College
Cost of Degree: $5,109Expenses: $22,515Starting Salary: $45,534Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Centralia College known for?
Centralia College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
29%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Yakima Valley College
Cost of Degree: $5,163Expenses: $13,875Starting Salary: $45,860Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Yakima Valley College known for?
Yakima Valley College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
39%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Whatcom Community College
Cost of Degree: $5,146Expenses: $23,934Starting Salary: $48,317Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Whatcom Community College known for?
Whatcom Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
46%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Bellingham Technical College
Cost of Degree: $4,226Starting Salary: $53,063What is Bellingham Technical College known for?
Bellingham Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
39%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Renton Technical College
Cost of Degree: $6,723Starting Salary: $56,634What is Renton Technical College known for?
Renton Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
34%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Grays Harbor College
Cost of Degree: $4,751Starting Salary: $44,277What is Grays Harbor College known for?
Grays Harbor College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Washington’s Best Small College in Your Area of Interest
Many states have great small colleges. If you’re interested in looking into what other states have to offer, check out the best small colleges in North Dakota and Michigan.
