Best Online Master’s Programs in Washington 2023

Published: May 11, 2022
Updated: Sep 8, 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. Faculty and alumni with influential ideas are the foundation of respectable online degree programs employers can trust.

Top Online Master's Programs in Washington

University of Washington
Washington State University
Gonzaga University
Western Washington University
Eastern Washington University
Central Washington University
City University of Seattle
Northwest University

Eastern Washington University 97%
Western Washington University 96%
Northwest University 96%
Central Washington University 88%
Washington State University 86%
Gonzaga University 76%
University of Washington 53%

Eastern Washington University 21 to 1
University of Washington 20 to 1
Central Washington University 20 to 1
Western Washington University 18 to 1
Washington State University 16 to 1
Gonzaga University 11 to 1
Northwest University 10 to 1
City University of Seattle 6 to 1

Gonzaga University $48,470
Northwest University $33,980
City University of Seattle $13,658
University of Washington $10,927
Washington State University $10,457
Western Washington University $7,572
Eastern Washington University $6,896
Central Washington University $6,656

Northwest University $18,829
University of Washington $16,605
Gonzaga University $14,499
Eastern Washington University $12,353
Washington State University $12,076
City University of Seattle $11,812
Western Washington University $11,359
Central Washington University $10,098

Northwest University
City University of Seattle
Central Washington University
Eastern Washington University
Western Washington University
Gonzaga University
Washington State University
University of Washington

University of Washington 53%
Gonzaga University 76%
Washington State University 86%
Central Washington University 88%
Northwest University 96%
Western Washington University 96%
Eastern Washington University 97%

City University of Seattle 6 to 1
Northwest University 10 to 1
Gonzaga University 11 to 1
Washington State University 16 to 1
Western Washington University 18 to 1
University of Washington 20 to 1
Central Washington University 20 to 1
Eastern Washington University 21 to 1

Central Washington University $6,656
Eastern Washington University $6,896
Western Washington University $7,572
Washington State University $10,457
University of Washington $10,927
City University of Seattle $13,658
Northwest University $33,980
Gonzaga University $48,470

Central Washington University $10,098
Western Washington University $11,359
City University of Seattle $11,812
Washington State University $12,076
Eastern Washington University $12,353
Gonzaga University $14,499
University of Washington $16,605
Northwest University $18,829

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 master’s degrees offered by respected colleges and universities are generally respected by employers. The main thing to consider about your online master’s choices is whether the school name is well known and respected. In many cases, employers won’t know your degree was earned online. But even if they do, a degree from a respected college is automatically to your benefit.

We rank the colleges and universities in this list by the influence of their alumni and faculty. For master’s degree students, including online master’s degree students, having faculty who are influential in your field matters a lot. It’s a big indicator that you have the chance to get a quality education. And, knowing that you will join an alumni association with some impressive people is nice, too.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Master’s Degrees

An online master’s degree costs about $40,000 for the average grad student. However, the cost of your online master’s degree will depend on the type of grad school you attend. In 2018-2019, the average cost for a year of tuition in a public grad school was $12,171. The average cost for a year of tuition in private, non-profit grad school was $27,776. An online master’s degree will usually cost about the same as a traditional master’s degree. Some schools will charge 5-10% more for online courses. This added cost pays for the technology and specialized training needed for online instruction. But getting a master’s degree online can also help you save money. The costs above don’t include expenses like housing, transportation, or certain campus fees. As an online grad student, you can save a lot of money by avoiding these added expenses. Many online master’s degree programs are also accelerated. Most master’s degree programs are designed to be completed in two years. But you may be able to earn your online master’s degree in as little as 12-18 months. Earning an accelerated online master’s degree can save you money on tuition.

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

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.

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 require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

How do we determine Washington's best online master's degree programs?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great! If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities for a bachelor’s degree, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching and whether their graduates are themselves advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence in their fields of study.

Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Concentrated Influence provides a ranking that is freer from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

To rank the influence of schools, we first determine the influence of scholars and professionals based on the number of citations and publications they have had over the past 10 years. In addition to publications and citations, we consider the web links to and from these sources, and the page views of those sources. We then match the influential people to their alma maters and institutions of employment, so that their influence is attributed to those schools. Our machine-learning Influence Ranking algorithm produces a numerical score of academic achievements, merits, and citations across Wikipedia, wikidata, Crossref, Semantic Scholar and an ever-growing body of data. If you are interested in exploring how and why we rank by influence, explore our methodology in more depth.

Median Salaries of Top Careers in Washington

The following graph depicts the average salaries of top occupations in different industries in Washington.

Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Annual Salary

131220Epidemiologists

144890Personal Financial Advisors

166980Computer Hardware Engineers

183610Computer Programmers

279590Chief Executives

Best Online Master’s Program in Washington 2022

#1
University of Washington
Seattle , WA
#4 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2023 #5 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023 #5 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2023 #7 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
53%
Graduation
84%
Student body
44K
Median SAT/ACT
1326/30
Online Master's Degrees
Master of Pharmaceutical Bioengineering

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Executive Master of Health Administration

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Aerospace Engineering

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Education in Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Health Informatics and Health Information Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Infrastructure Planning and Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Library and Information Science

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Civil Engineering: Construction Engineering

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Civil Engineering: Energy Infrastructure

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Computational Finance and Risk Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Computational Linguistics

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Construction Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Mechanical Engineering

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Supply Chain Transportation and Logistics

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Sustainable Transportation

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Applied and Computational Mathematics

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Clinical Informatics and Patient - Centered Technologies

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
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#2
Washington State University
Pullman , WA
#2 Best Colleges in Washington 2023 #2 Best Public Colleges in Washington 2023 #2 Best Research Universities in Washington 2023 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Washington 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
60%
Student body
27K
Median SAT/ACT
1115/23
Online Master's Degrees
MS in Agriculture

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Health Communication and Promotion

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Professional Science Master of Molecular Biosciences

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Strategic Communication

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Professional Science Master of Electrical Power Engineering

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Engineering and Technology Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in Music

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Software Engineering

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in Special Education

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
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#3
Western Washington University
Bellingham , WA
#1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Washington 2023 #3 Best Public Colleges in Washington 2023 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Washington 2023 #4 Best Colleges in Washington 2023
Other Rankings
- #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023
- #3 Best Online Colleges in Washington 2023
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
68%
Student body
14K
Median SAT/ACT
1175/25
Online Master's Degrees
MEd in Educational Administration

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
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#4
Gonzaga University
Spokane , WA
#2 Best Private Colleges in Washington 2023 #2 Best Christian Colleges in Washington 2023 #4 Best Research Universities in Washington 2023 #4 Best Grad Schools in Washington 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$48K
Acceptance
76%
Graduation
85%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
1255/27
Online Master's Degrees
MA in Communication and Leadership

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in Organizational Leadership

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in Theology and Leadership

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Transmission and Distribution Engineering

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Science in Nursing

Concentrations

Second MSN Degree
RN-to-MSN

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in Sport and Athletic Administration

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MEd in Educational Leadership

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
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#5
Eastern Washington University
Cheney , WA
#4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Washington 2023 #5 Best Public Colleges in Washington 2023 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Washington 2023 #8 Best Colleges in Washington 2023
Other Rankings
- #4 Best Online Colleges in Washington 2023
- #6 Best Online MBA Programs in Washington
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
50%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
985/19
Online Master's Degrees
Master of Education

Concentrations

Adult Education
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Career and Technical Education with Administrator Certificate
Curriculum & Instruction
Early Childhood Education
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership - Principal Certificate
ELL
Health and Physical Education
Library Media
Literacy
Special Education
TESOL

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in History

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Music - Music Education

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
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#6
Central Washington University
Ellensburg , WA
#6 Best Public Colleges in Washington 2023 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Washington 2023 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Washington 2023 #5 Best Online Colleges in Washington 2023
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
54%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1040/20
Online Master's Degrees
Master of Engineering Technology and Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in English

Concentrations

Literary Studies and Teaching
Professional and Creative Writing

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Education

Concentrations

Higher Education
Literacy
Master Teacher
School Administration
Special Education

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Athletic Administration

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Information Technology and Information Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
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#7
City University of Seattle
Seattle , WA
#6 Best Grad Schools in Washington 2023 #7 Best Small Colleges in Washington 2023 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Washington 2023 #8 Best Private Colleges in Washington 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$14K
Student body
1K
Online Master's Degrees
Master of Education

Concentrations

Curriculum and Instruction
Educational Leadership: Administrator Certification
Special Education
Adult Education and Instructional Design
Leadership

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Management and Leadership

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Computer Science

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Cybersecurity

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Healthcare Administration

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Data Science

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Project Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
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#8
Northwest University
Kirkland , WA
#8 Best Christian Colleges in Washington 2023 #8 Best Grad Schools in Washington 2023 #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in Washington 2023 #4 Best Online MBA Programs in Washington
Other Rankings
- #9 Best Online Colleges in Washington 2023
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
58%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1107/22
Online Master's Degrees
Master of Ministry

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Teaching

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in Bible and Theology

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in International Community Development

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in Leadership Studies

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Data Analysis and Research Psychology

Concentrations

Data Analytics
Program Evaluation
Doctoral Preparation

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Nursing

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
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Best Online Master’s Programs in Washington 2023

Top Online Master's Programs in Washington

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Washington

What are Washington’s Colleges & Universities?

Median Salaries of Top Careers in Washington

Best Online Master’s Program in Washington 2022

Online Master's Degrees

Online Master's Degrees

Online Master's Degrees

Online Master's Degrees

Concentrations

Online Master's Degrees

Concentrations

Online Master's Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Online Master's Degrees

Concentrations

Online Master's Degrees

Concentrations

Washington’s Best Grad Programs in Your Area Interest