52 colleges · federal data
Colleges in Washington
Washington has 52 colleges in our data: 25 four-year colleges (8 public) and 27 two-year colleges. The median four-year college costs $23,009 a year after grants and graduates 61% of its students.
4-year colleges25
2-year colleges27
Median in-state tuition, public 4-year$11,665
Median net price, 4-year$23,009
Median graduation rate, 4-year61%
Median earnings, 4-year$67,140
Best colleges in Washington by outcomes
Four-year colleges in Washington with the highest outcome score, which blends graduation rate (45%), earnings 10 years after entry (35%) and net price (20%).
| # | College | Outcome score | Graduation rate | Earnings after 10 yrs | Avg net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle, WA | 88 | 85% | $83,105 | $13,663 |
| 2 | University of Washington-Bothell CampusBothell, WA | 80 | 68% | $83,105 | $13,802 |
| 3 | Gonzaga UniversitySpokane, WA | 76 | 86% | $89,110 | $32,750 |
| 4 | University of Washington-Tacoma CampusTacoma, WA | 76 | 61% | $83,105 | $11,900 |
| 5 | Washington State UniversityPullman, WA | 73 | 63% | $72,280 | $13,462 |
| 6 | Seattle UniversitySeattle, WA | 69 | 71% | $84,728 | $34,324 |
| 7 | Whitman CollegeWalla Walla, WA | 69 | 75% | $70,813 | $29,486 |
| 8 | Pacific Lutheran UniversityTacoma, WA | 67 | 64% | $71,109 | $20,652 |
| 9 | University of Puget SoundTacoma, WA | 65 | 69% | $71,918 | $32,507 |
| 10 | Whitworth UniversitySpokane, WA | 62 | 67% | $64,055 | $23,009 |
Cheapest 4-year colleges
Lowest average net price, graduation cohort of 50+
- Heritage University$10,747 net · 57% grad
- University of Washington-Tacoma Campus$11,900 net · 61% grad
- Washington State University$13,462 net · 63% grad
- Eastern Washington University$13,647 net · 43% grad
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus$13,663 net · 85% grad
Hardest to get into
Lowest acceptance rates
- Whitman College38% admitted · $29,486 net
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus39% admitted · $13,663 net
- DigiPen Institute of Technology64% admitted · $42,428 net
- University of Puget Sound72% admitted · $32,507 net
- Seattle University77% admitted · $34,324 net
Easiest to get into
Highest acceptance rates with a 50%+ graduation rate
- Western Washington University93% admitted · 61% grad
- Central Washington University91% admitted · 51% grad
- University of Washington-Bothell Campus91% admitted · 68% grad
- Saint Martin's University90% admitted · 56% grad
- Whitworth University90% admitted · 67% grad
Highest earnings
Median earnings 10 years after entry
- Gonzaga University$89,110 earnings · $32,750 net
- Seattle University$84,728 earnings · $34,324 net
- University of Washington-Bothell Campus$83,105 earnings · $13,802 net
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus$83,105 earnings · $13,663 net
- University of Washington-Tacoma Campus$83,105 earnings · $11,900 net
All 25 four-year colleges in Washington
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| College | Type | Undergrads | Acceptance rate | Avg net price | Graduation rate | Earnings after 10 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Washington UniversityEllensburg, WA | Public 4-year | 7,833 | 91% | $21,201 | 51% | $65,578 |
| City University of SeattleSeattle, WA | Private nonprofit 4-year | 1,137 | Open | n/a | 13% | $66,765 |
| DigiPen Institute of TechnologyRedmond, WA | Private for-profit 4-year | 995 | 64% | $42,428 | 63% | $80,038 |
| Eastern Washington UniversityCheney, WA | Public 4-year | 6,222 | 91% | $13,647 | 43% | $62,463 |
| Faith International UniversityTacoma, WA | Private nonprofit 4-year | 276 | Open | $22,817 | 29% | $57,111 |
| Gonzaga UniversitySpokane, WA | Private nonprofit 4-year | 5,198 | 82% | $32,750 | 86% | $89,110 |
| Heritage UniversityToppenish, WA | Private nonprofit 4-year | 812 | Open | $10,747 | 57% | $58,279 |
| Northwest College of Art & DesignTacoma, WA | Private for-profit 4-year | 139 | 66% | $25,900 | 44% | $39,289 |
| Northwest UniversityKirkland, WA | Private nonprofit 4-year | 645 | 83% | $22,071 | 67% | $61,237 |
| Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended EducationKirkland, WA | Private nonprofit 4-year | 405 | Open | $31,325 | 36% | $61,237 |
| Pacific Lutheran UniversityTacoma, WA | Private nonprofit 4-year | 2,401 | 78% | $20,652 | 64% | $71,109 |
| Saint Martin's UniversityLacey, WA | Private nonprofit 4-year | 1,158 | 90% | $25,472 | 56% | $70,376 |
| Seattle Pacific UniversitySeattle, WA | Private nonprofit 4-year | 1,762 | 83% | $25,419 | 55% | $71,277 |
| Seattle UniversitySeattle, WA | Private nonprofit 4-year | 4,062 | 77% | $34,324 | 71% | $84,728 |
| The Evergreen State CollegeOlympia, WA | Public 4-year | 2,160 | 96% | $25,154 | 38% | $48,982 |
| University of Puget SoundTacoma, WA | Private nonprofit 4-year | 1,594 | 72% | $32,507 | 69% | $71,918 |
| University of Washington-Bothell CampusBothell, WA | Public 4-year | 5,457 | 91% | $13,802 | 68% | $83,105 |
| University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle, WA | Public 4-year | 31,942 | 39% | $13,663 | 85% | $83,105 |
| University of Washington-Tacoma CampusTacoma, WA | Public 4-year | 4,185 | 83% | $11,900 | 61% | $83,105 |
| Walla Walla UniversityCollege Place, WA | Private nonprofit 4-year | 1,252 | Open | $27,786 | 58% | $67,140 |
| Washington State UniversityPullman, WA | Public 4-year | 21,099 | 87% | $13,462 | 63% | $72,280 |
| Western Washington UniversityBellingham, WA | Public 4-year | 13,544 | 93% | $19,963 | 61% | $64,305 |
| Whitman CollegeWalla Walla, WA | Private nonprofit 4-year | 1,531 | 38% | $29,486 | 75% | $70,813 |
| Whitworth UniversitySpokane, WA | Private nonprofit 4-year | 1,858 | 90% | $23,009 | 67% | $64,055 |
| Whitworth University-Adult Degree ProgramsSpokane, WA | Private nonprofit 4-year | 145 | 29% | n/a | n/a | $64,055 |
Community and two-year colleges in Washington
| College | Type | Undergrads | Avg net price | Graduation rate | Earnings after 10 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue CollegeBellevue, WA | Public 2-year | 7,364 | $18,271 | 31% | $63,508 |
| Big Bend Community CollegeMoses Lake, WA | Public 2-year | 1,272 | $16,900 | 35% | $45,128 |
| Cascadia CollegeBothell, WA | Public 2-year | 1,032 | $19,544 | 38% | $65,772 |
| Centralia CollegeCentralia, WA | Public 2-year | 1,552 | $17,394 | 40% | $45,534 |
| Clark CollegeVancouver, WA | Public 2-year | 4,945 | $18,625 | 36% | $47,832 |
| Columbia Basin CollegePasco, WA | Public 2-year | 4,640 | $13,813 | 32% | $51,967 |
| Edmonds CollegeLynnwood, WA | Public 2-year | 3,656 | $24,646 | 23% | $54,434 |
| Everett Community CollegeEverett, WA | Public 2-year | 4,709 | $18,421 | 35% | $51,095 |
| Grays Harbor CollegeAberdeen, WA | Public 2-year | 1,010 | $12,588 | 34% | $44,277 |
| Green River CollegeAuburn, WA | Public 2-year | 4,965 | $18,821 | 41% | $54,621 |
| Highline CollegeDes Moines, WA | Public 2-year | 3,838 | $18,053 | 38% | $54,850 |
| Lower Columbia CollegeLongview, WA | Public 2-year | 1,932 | $7,341 | 22% | $45,498 |
| Northwest Indian CollegeBellingham, WA | Public 2-year | 629 | $9,346 | 22% | $35,232 |
| Olympic CollegeBremerton, WA | Public 2-year | 3,826 | $10,370 | 33% | $48,582 |
| Pacific Northwest Christian CollegeKennewick, WA | Private nonprofit 2-year | 129 | $10,982 | 100% | n/a |
| Pierce College DistrictLakewood, WA | Public 2-year | 5,313 | $20,424 | 32% | $52,562 |
| Seattle Central CollegeSeattle, WA | Public 2-year | 3,953 | $21,132 | 33% | $48,906 |
| Shoreline CollegeShoreline, WA | Public 2-year | 3,046 | $18,564 | 30% | $56,341 |
| Skagit Valley CollegeMount Vernon, WA | Public 2-year | 2,477 | $18,835 | 34% | $50,327 |
| South Puget Sound Community CollegeOlympia, WA | Public 2-year | 3,075 | $18,745 | 44% | $48,158 |
| Spokane Community CollegeSpokane, WA | Public 2-year | 4,533 | $20,482 | 33% | $46,919 |
| Spokane Falls Community CollegeSpokane, WA | Public 2-year | 3,199 | $19,537 | 32% | $42,786 |
| Tacoma Community CollegeTacoma, WA | Public 2-year | 4,668 | $19,206 | 30% | $52,313 |
| Walla Walla Community CollegeWalla Walla, WA | Public 2-year | 2,418 | $14,397 | 38% | $48,220 |
| Wenatchee Valley CollegeWenatchee, WA | Public 2-year | 1,759 | $16,742 | 36% | $45,574 |
| Whatcom Community CollegeBellingham, WA | Public 2-year | 2,378 | $17,524 | 39% | $48,317 |
| Yakima Valley CollegeYakima, WA | Public 2-year | 2,770 | $17,448 | 29% | $45,860 |
Trade schools in Washington
Washington also has 29 trade schools. Compare them, and programs like welding, HVAC and nursing, on the trade schools in Washington page.
Colleges by city
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges are in Washington?
Washington has 52 colleges that mostly award associate or bachelor's degrees: 25 four-year and 27 two-year schools.
What is the best college in Washington?
By our outcome score, which combines graduation rate, earnings and net price, University of Washington-Seattle Campus ranks first among four-year colleges in Washington, with a score of 88. The best college for you depends on cost, fit and what you want to study.
What is the cheapest 4-year college in Washington?
Heritage University has the lowest average net price among four-year colleges in Washington with a graduation cohort of at least 50 students: $10,747 a year after grants.
What is the hardest college to get into in Washington?
Whitman College, which admitted 38% of applicants for fall 2024.
How much is in-state tuition in Washington?
The median in-state tuition and fees at public four-year colleges in Washington is $11,665 for 2025-26. Housing, food and books add to that, so check each school's net price.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.