Higher education in Washington is really important, it helps the state’s economy by providing skilled workers and helping to create new ideas and technologies. Universities like the University of Washington and Washington State University are big players in this. They work closely with companies like Boeing and Microsoft, which leads to more jobs and inventions.
Washington offers everyone a chance to go to college by making it affordable, especially for people from low-income households. They also focus a lot on science and technology education, which helps provide labor for the state’s tech industries.
Washington’s colleges are inclusive, students from all backgrounds can attend these colleges. In Washington, colleges, businesses, and the government work closely together. They share knowledge, train people for jobs, and move new ideas from the classroom to the marketplace. Essentially, Washington’s colleges are like engines driving the state forward, creating jobs, sparking innovation, and making sure everyone benefits.
This article features the top ten best colleges in Washington; if you are in Washington and you want to know the best colleges you can enroll in and what they offer, this article is your best bet. The list features both two-year and four-year colleges to serve all kinds of prospective students.
Best Colleges in Washington
1. Centralia College
Established in 1925, Centralia College stands as the longest-standing two-year college in Washington State, offering a diverse range of cost-effective programs geared towards both career development and academic transfer. This college maintains an accessible admissions process, allowing new students to join most programs throughout the academic year.
Despite its community college status, Centralia offers four bachelor’s degree programs including a K-8 teacher education track leading to initial state certification. This program, spanning 94-112 credits, follows a hybrid format, blending once-weekly evening classes with online coursework.
Associate degrees are available in programs such as natural resources management, medical assisting, and diesel technology. Furthermore, Centralia provides specialized training through programs like office management, equipping students with the skills to effectively recruit and oversee clerical staff. Additionally, eight pre-professional programs are catering to fields such as physical therapy, dentistry, and pharmaceutical sciences.
Centralia College actively supports educational accessibility through initiatives like Running Start, enabling high school juniors and seniors to engage in tuition-free college courses. Adult learners, particularly low-income state residents, benefit from financial assistance programs like the Opportunity Grant.
2. South Seattle College
Located in Seattle, Washington, South Seattle College is a school offering a wide range of classes and job training. Since its start in 1970, it has been helping people in the area learn and grow. This college offers many programs and welcomes students from all backgrounds.
To help its diverse student population, South Seattle College has an easy admissions process and offers various ways to get financial aid. They also provide personal academic counseling, career advice, and ways to transfer to state universities. Additionally, as an Asian American Pacific Islander Serving Institution, they offer special resources to students from these communities.
For students interested in technical careers, South Seattle College offers programs in landscape architecture, culinary arts, and welding fabrication technology, among others. They even have a program in aviation maintenance technology that takes about 10 quarters to finish.
South Seattle College also has bachelor’s degree programs, like one in hospitality management. And for those looking to continue their education, they offer associate degrees in fields like public health, digital art and photography, and accounting.
3. Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University is a private school connected with the Jesuit tradition, educating more than 7,500 students. Their academic offerings cover various bachelor’s degrees like broadcast and electronic media studies, public relations, accounting, and criminology. Students in the business administration program can specialize in nine different areas. They can also work with faculty mentors to create their custom degrees combining different subjects.
For graduate students, there are master’s programs such as clinical mental health counseling, transmission and distribution engineering, and nursing (RN-to-MSN). The university also offers a Ph.D. program in leadership studies focusing on individual leadership skills and the role of leaders in organizations and global systems. To accommodate professionals, Gonzaga provides seven fully online graduate programs through Blackboard.
Financial aid options include the Daniel G. Brajcich Scholarships for business and accounting students. Gonzaga is selective in its admissions process. They recommend a personal interview for undergraduate applicants with a GPA below 3.2 and SAT scores below 1150 or ACT scores below 23. Transfer students need a minimum GPA of 2.7.
4. Whitman College
Located in Walla Walla, Whitman College stands out as one of America’s leading private liberal arts schools. It takes a holistic approach to admissions and offers a wide range of financial aid options, including scholarships for fine arts students.
Whitman boasts more than 48 undergraduate degree programs, covering diverse fields like geology, film and media studies, Latin American studies, and molecular biology. They even have a unique bachelor of global literature program that breaks traditional boundaries in culture, language, and departments.
Additionally, Whitman partners with the University of Washington to offer a special dual-degree program. In just five years, students can earn a bachelor of arts in biology or geography alongside a bachelor of science in oceanography.
5. Eastern Washington University
Eastern Washington University, situated in Cheney, offers a wide range of academic programs across its six colleges. It’s known for having the most affordable in-state tuition among public universities in Washington.
With over 71 majors available for undergraduates, including fields like international affairs, analytics, and urban and regional planning, students have plenty of options. Those interested in health professions can pursue a biology degree with a focus on pre-medicine/pre-dentistry or biotechnology.
EWU also offers graduate programs in areas such as technical communication, public health, and dental hygiene. For instance, students can pursue a master’s in communication sciences and disorders to become speech-language pathologists.
The university emphasizes hands-on experience, offering volunteer opportunities with community partners and providing support for internships and studying abroad.
6. Northwest Indian College
Northwest Indian College, established in 1973, is the sole accredited tribal higher education institution catering to reservation communities in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. It prioritizes the enrollment of Native American and First Nation students through an open admission policy.
The college offers two-year technical degrees in fields like information technology and public/tribal administration, along with a chemical dependency studies program that includes essential field experience for Washington State Chemical Dependency Counselor Certification. For those eyeing transfer opportunities, NWIC provides associate credentials in business, life sciences, and early childhood education.
Bachelor’s degree seekers can delve into programs such as native environmental science, community advocacy and education, and tribal governance and business administration. Additionally, there’s a bachelor of arts in native studies leadership, which underscores themes of self-determination and cultural sovereignty. NWIC has embraced online learning with fully online courses facilitated through Canvas.
Prospective students are required to complete an online form and provide high school transcripts alongside tribal certification.
7. University of Washington-Seattle Campus
The University of Washington was founded in 1861 and is a public research school with about 16,000 students every year. They offer lots of different programs for undergraduates, like speech and hearing sciences, microbiology, and architectural design. They also have a business administration degree where you can pick from seven areas to focus on. If you want to work in conservation or safety, they have a degree in environmental health.
They also have graduate programs in stuff like global health, comparative literature, and chemical engineering. If you want to be an accountant, you can finish their program in just a year. And for people who prefer studying online, they have eight programs you can do fully online.
UW tries to keep tuition fees reasonable, especially for people who live in the state. They offer scholarships, like the Martin Family Foundation Scholarship, for transfer students. When they’re looking at new students, they don’t just look at test scores; they also look at things like your grades, what you’ve achieved, and your background.
8. University of Washington-Bothell Campus
The University of Washington Bothell (UWB) serves around 6,000 students and focuses on practical learning and research across different fields. They offer bachelor’s programs in areas like earth systems science, health studies, and community psychology.
For those interested in business, there’s a business administration degree with choices like retail management, marketing, and management information systems. Alternatively, students can pursue a bachelor’s in elementary education for K-8 teacher certification. UWB also has a unique bachelor’s program in science, technology, and society, which prepares students for roles in IT research and ethics.
Graduate students have 11 options to choose from, including a master’s in nursing with a focus on leadership in administration.
Incoming freshmen need at least a 2.0 GPA and must provide ACT or SAT scores. Graduate admissions requirements vary, but generally, a minimum 3.0 GPA is expected. UWB offers scholarships based on merit for both undergraduate and graduate students.
9. University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
Established in 1990, the University of Washington Tacoma focuses on community engagement to drive economic growth. Undergraduate students follow a group-based core curriculum before moving on to majors like computer science and systems, biomedical sciences, and environmental sustainability.
Students have the flexibility to create their majors and concentrations through the interdisciplinary arts and sciences program. Additionally, UW Tacoma offers a fully online bachelor’s program in criminal justice.
At the graduate level, students can specialize in fields such as geospatial technologies, social work, and cybersecurity and leadership. The university also offers a comprehensive nursing track, allowing associate degree nurses to earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees simultaneously. For those pursuing doctoral studies, there’s a three-year educational leadership program totaling 96 credits.
Freshman applicants are required to submit high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and a personal statement. Graduate applicants typically need a minimum 3.0 GPA.
10. Western Washington University
Established in 1894 as a teacher training school in Bellingham, Western Washington University has evolved into a comprehensive institution offering a diverse array of bachelor’s and master’s programs to a student body of over 16,000. While some courses are available online through the Canvas platform, the majority are conducted on campus.
Undergraduate students have a broad selection of programs to choose from, including financial economics, community health, and American cultural studies. For those interested in urban planning and environmental law, there’s a bachelor’s program in urban planning and sustainable development. Additionally, the college offers a kinesiology program with concentrations in sport psychology, movement studies, and pre-healthcare professions.
With close to 50 graduate programs, WWU offers a business administration degree tailored to accommodate working professionals with evening and/or weekend classes. The Institute for Global Engagement provides opportunities for service-learning and study abroad experiences, enriching students’ academic journey.
To be admitted as a freshman, applicants are required to have a minimum GPA of 2.0. They must also submit SAT or ACT scores and a personal statement outlining their personal growth and achievements.
Most In-Demand Jobs in Washington
- Software Developers and Engineers: Washington has a strong presence of tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon, and software development roles are consistently in high demand.
- Healthcare Professionals: Nurses, physicians, and other healthcare workers are always sought after, especially with the growing aging population.
- Data Scientists and Analysts: There is a rise of data-driven decision-making across industries and there is a constant need for professionals who can analyze and interpret data.
- Construction Workers: The booming construction industry in Washington, fueled by infrastructure projects and urban development, requires skilled workers like carpenters, electricians, and plumbers.
- Renewable Energy Specialists: Given the state’s commitment to sustainability, there’s an increasing demand for professionals specializing in renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind power.
- Cybersecurity Experts: With the increasing prevalence of cyber threats, businesses and organizations are investing in cybersecurity professionals to protect their digital assets.
- Financial Analysts and Advisors: With Seattle being a major financial hub, there’s a consistent demand for financial experts to guide individuals and businesses.
- Educators and Teachers: There is always a need for qualified educators across all levels of education, from K-12 schools to colleges and universities.
- Truck Drivers and Delivery Drivers: With the growth of e-commerce and logistics, there’s a high demand for truck drivers and delivery personnel to transport goods across the state.
- Marketing and Sales Professionals: With many companies headquartered in Washington, there is a constant need for marketing and sales experts to promote products and services.
These trends may evolve, influenced by factors such as technological advancements, economic conditions, and shifts in industry priorities. Job seekers need to stay updated on the latest trends and skills needed to remain competitive in the job market.