Best Small Colleges in Washington 2025

Badge for BEST IN WASHINGTON SMALL COLLEGES

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.

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.

Evergreen State College and the University of Puget Sound moves into the number 1 position in our 2025 ranking of the best small colleges in Washington.

The Evergreen State College has added men’s and women’s wrestling and cross-country teams, making it the only four-year college in Washington with an intercollegiate wrestling program. Additionally, Evergreen has committed to fostering a more inclusive environment, with a 6% increase in Latinx and Native American/Alaska Native students and a 30% intake of first-generation college students in the new class.

The University of Puget Sound has revamped its dining services, now offering expanded plant-based and diverse culinary options, including boba tea and international cuisine to cater to a wide range of dietary preferences and tastes. In addition, Puget Sound has upgraded campus security with a new contactless access control system, enhancing convenience and safety for students.

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. Other Rankings

    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

  2. Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1280/29

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Puget Sound

    Cost of Degree: $59,900
    Expenses: $18,664
    Starting Salary: $59,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. #3

    Whitman College

    Walla Walla , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    48%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1383/31

    Career Outlook for degree at Whitman College

    Cost of Degree: $61,492
    Expenses: $16,840
    Starting Salary: $59,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. 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: $38,814
    Expenses: $20,154
    Starting Salary: $54,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  5. Tuition + fees

    $51K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1338/28

    Career Outlook for degree at Pacific Lutheran University

    Cost of Degree: $50,272
    Expenses: $15,873
    Starting Salary: $53,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  6. #6

    Walla Walla University

    College Place , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $32K

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Walla Walla University

    Cost of Degree: $33,027
    Expenses: $12,936
    Starting Salary: $50,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  7. #7

    Whitworth University

    Spokane , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $49K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1230/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Whitworth University

    Cost of Degree: $50,920
    Expenses: $18,293
    Starting Salary: $48,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  8. Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1286/28

    Career Outlook for degree at DigiPen Institute of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $37,400
    Expenses: $21,892
    Starting Salary: $82,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is DigiPen Institute of Technology known for?

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

  9. Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1052/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Saint Martin's University

    Cost of Degree: $44,210
    Expenses: $17,980
    Starting Salary: $51,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Saint Martin's University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  10. 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

  11. #12

    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:

  12. #13

    Northwest University

    Kirkland , WA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1185/26

    Career Outlook for degree at Northwest University

    Cost of Degree: $36,035
    Expenses: $14,812
    Starting Salary: $46,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Northwest University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  13. #14

    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:

  14. Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Clover Park Technical College

    Cost of Degree: $6,634
    Starting Salary: $37,900
    What is Clover Park Technical College known for?

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

  15. #16

    Heritage University

    Toppenish , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $20K

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Heritage University

    Cost of Degree: $19,920
    Starting Salary: $36,800
    What is Heritage University known for?

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

  16. Tuition + fees

    $19K

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Antioch University Seattle

    Cost of Degree: $19,410
    Starting Salary: $41,800
    What is Antioch University Seattle known for?

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

  17. #18

    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:

  18. #19

    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:

  19. #20

    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

  20. 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:

  21. #22

    South Seattle College

    Seattle , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    34%

    Student body

    8K

    Career Outlook for degree at South Seattle College

    Cost of Degree: $4,865
    Starting Salary: $43,600
    What is South Seattle College known for?

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

  22. #23

    Yakima Valley College

    Yakima , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Yakima Valley College

    Cost of Degree: $5,163
    Expenses: $13,875
    Starting Salary: $36,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Yakima Valley College known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  23. #24

    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:

  24. #25

    Grays Harbor College

    Aberdeen , WA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Grays Harbor College

    Cost of Degree: $4,751
    Starting Salary: $32,400
    What is Grays Harbor College known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  25. Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Bellingham Technical College

    Cost of Degree: $4,226
    Starting Salary: $48,100
    What is Bellingham Technical College known for?

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

  26. Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Renton Technical College

    Cost of Degree: $6,723
    Starting Salary: $43,000
    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

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.

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