Best Online Colleges in Washington 2024

Badge for BEST ONLINE COLLEGES IN WASHINGTON

Published: Mar 21, 2022
Updated: Nov 22, 2023

Find the best online colleges in Washington ranked by the academic success of faculty and alumni associated with the colleges and universities and their online degree programs.

Top 10 Online Colleges in Washington

University of Washington
Washington State University
Western Washington University
Eastern Washington University
Central Washington University
City University of Seattle
Peninsula College
Charter College
Northwest University
Clark College

University of Washington
Washington State University
Western Washington University
Central Washington University
Eastern Washington University
City University of Seattle
Peninsula College
Northwest University
Charter College
Clark College

Eastern Washington University 96%
Northwest University 94%
Western Washington University 93%
Central Washington University 93%
Washington State University 83%
University of Washington 48%

Charter College 25 to 1
University of Washington 21 to 1
Eastern Washington University 19 to 1
Western Washington University 17 to 1
Washington State University 15 to 1
Central Washington University 14 to 1
Peninsula College 14 to 1
Clark College 12 to 1
Northwest University 9 to 1
City University of Seattle 6 to 1

Northwest University $35,000
Charter College $17,116
City University of Seattle $13,558
University of Washington $11,189
Washington State University $10,708
Western Washington University $7,760
Eastern Washington University $7,104
Central Washington University $6,816
Clark College $4,203
Peninsula College $3,927

Northwest University $19,188
University of Washington $17,004
Eastern Washington University $12,723
Washington State University $12,366
City University of Seattle $11,812
Western Washington University $11,756
Central Washington University $10,401

Clark College
Northwest University
Charter College
Peninsula College
City University of Seattle
Central Washington University
Eastern Washington University
Western Washington University
Washington State University
University of Washington

Clark College
Charter College
Northwest University
Peninsula College
City University of Seattle
Eastern Washington University
Central Washington University
Western Washington University
Washington State University
University of Washington

University of Washington 48%
Washington State University 83%
Central Washington University 93%
Western Washington University 93%
Northwest University 94%
Eastern Washington University 96%

City University of Seattle 6 to 1
Northwest University 9 to 1
Clark College 12 to 1
Central Washington University 14 to 1
Peninsula College 14 to 1
Washington State University 15 to 1
Western Washington University 17 to 1
Eastern Washington University 19 to 1
University of Washington 21 to 1
Charter College 25 to 1

Peninsula College $3,927
Clark College $4,203
Central Washington University $6,816
Eastern Washington University $7,104
Western Washington University $7,760
Washington State University $10,708
University of Washington $11,189
City University of Seattle $13,558
Charter College $17,116
Northwest University $35,000

Central Washington University $10,401
Western Washington University $11,756
City University of Seattle $11,812
Washington State University $12,366
Eastern Washington University $12,723
University of Washington $17,004
Northwest University $19,188

Table of Contents

Featured Programs

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

Online education has grown dramatically in quality, credibility, and popularity over the last two decades. Today, more than a quarter of all college students are taking at least one online course. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are more than 5 million college students who are pursuing their undergraduate degree fully online. And the number of online college and graduate students continues to grow as online technology and instructional methods improve.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to remote learning has proven an essential part of the educational ecosystem. Schools that offer primarily online degree programs saw an increase of 7% enrollment just between Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. The number of traditional institutions offering online courses and degrees is growing as well. This all paints a promising picture for the future of online education. But it also produces a dizzying array of options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Online Colleges 2024

Asynchronous learning means classes don’t meet at set times. This is the most flexible online learning experience, making when you cover your course material up to you. Most asynchronous online courses will still have deadlines throughout the semester for various assignments and tests. Some asynchronous classes may still ask for an occasional meeting, such as initial meet-and-greets, and in some cases there may be scheduled test times. The idea of asynchronous learning is to allow the student to manage their schedules as needed.

Synchronous learning means you will have scheduled meeting times for your online classes. Synchronous learning gives online students the flexibility of location while also giving students a chance to engage with each other and their professors. For many online students, the structured class schedules and ability to see and hear from peers in real-time helps create the learning experience they want.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities—educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

10 Best Online Colleges in Washington 2023

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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Best Online Colleges in Washington 2024

Top 10 Online Colleges in Washington

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Washington

What are Washington’s Colleges & Universities?

Washington’s Best Overall

10 Best Online Colleges in Washington 2023

University of Washington

Career Outlook for degree at University of Washington

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Washington State University

Career Outlook for degree at Washington State University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Western Washington University

Career Outlook for degree at Western Washington University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Eastern Washington University

Career Outlook for degree at Eastern Washington University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Central Washington University

Career Outlook for degree at Central Washington University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Concentrations

City University of Seattle

Career Outlook for degree at City University of Seattle

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Peninsula College

Career Outlook for degree at Peninsula College

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Charter College

Career Outlook for degree at Charter College

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Northwest University

Career Outlook for degree at Northwest University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Clark College

Career Outlook for degree at Clark College

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

Resources for Online College-Bound Students

Best Online Colleges in Washington 2024

Top 10 Online Colleges in Washington

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Washington

What are Washington’s Colleges & Universities?

10 Best Online Colleges in Washington 2023

Career Outlook for degree at University of Washington

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Washington State University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Western Washington University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Eastern Washington University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Central Washington University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at City University of Seattle

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Peninsula College

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Charter College

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Northwest University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Clark College

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect from an online college course?+

Is online college easier than campus-based college?+

Why does accreditation matter in online college?+

Will I be able to transfer my online college degree?+

Will employers respect my online degree?+

What are the disadvantages of online classes?+

What are the advantages of online classes?+

Resources for Online College-Bound Students