Best Colleges in Washington

The largest independent postsecondary school in the Northwest, Seattle University enrolls over 7,700 students in 61 bachelor's and 33 graduate programs. Undergraduate majors include biochemistry, international business, mechanical engineering, and film studies. SU offers an environmental studies program with concentration options in ecological systems; urban sustainability; and politics, policy, and justice. Students may also pursue an online bachelor of digital technology and cultures.

SU's graduate catalog contains master's degrees in sport business leadership, school counseling, and professional accounting. Learners can enroll in a joint degree program that allows them to earn a master of finance and a juris doctor in as few as three years. SU also delivers four online graduate programs, including an MBA accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Prospective freshmen must furnish ACT or SAT scores and meet the specific requirements of their chosen major. Graduate admissions criteria differ by program, but typically include a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Washington State University was founded in 1890, making it one of the oldest land grant institutions in the American West. Today, the school enrolls over 30,600 students at its main Pullman campus, across satellite locations, and online through asynchronous coursework powered by Canvas.

WSU offers assured admission to first-year candidates who possess a 3.5 GPA or higher. For high-achieving learners, the university offers specialized academic and research opportunities through its honors college. The university is also dedicated to providing higher education to undocumented individuals.

Students can select from over 220 undergraduate fields of study, including data analytics, turfgrass management, materials science and engineering, and forestry. Students can pursue an organic and sustainable agriculture degree that focuses on organic food production and resource economics.

WSU's graduate programs cover more than 140 fields. Students can also earn a doctor of pharmacy that is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

The University of Puget Sound is a private liberal arts institution that serves 2,600 students. The institution delivers more than 50 traditional and interdisciplinary academic programs. Puget Sound also facilitates a dual-degree engineering track in collaboration with three partner universities.

The college's bachelor's programs cover fields such as business and leadership, neuroscience, global development studies, and exercise science. Students can enroll in a bioethics program that examines the multifaceted dimensions of emerging life science and healthcare challenges.

Puget Sound provides master's programs in teaching, counseling, and occupational therapy, as well as a doctoral degree in physical therapy.

Prospective freshmen must submit the Common Application, high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and counselor or teacher evaluations.

Founded in 1892 as a two-year college, Walla Walla University now provides comprehensive academics at five campuses across the Pacific Northwest. Students can choose from over 100 areas of study, including bachelor's degrees for social work, information systems, bioengineering science, and design and illustration.

The university offers a business administration degree that has earned specialized accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. Business students may pursue one of seven concentrations, including an entrepreneurship track.

WWU offers graduate degrees in social work and biology, as well as a unique MA in cinema, religion, and worldview. Future teachers can pursue a master's in education. Experienced educators can pursue credentials in specialized areas such as literacy instruction and educational leadership.

Financial assistance packages include merit scholarships for transfer candidates and departmental awards for social work majors.

Cascadia College was founded in 1994, making it the newest community college in Washington State. The school offers an array of transfer-oriented and technical associate programs. Cascadia facilitates hybrid and fully online classes through Canvas.

Transfer options cover fields such as biology, business, global studies, and pre-nursing. Technical degree tracks include web application programming, homeland security, and environmental technologies and sustainable practices.

Students can pursue a bachelor's degree in mobile application development or sustainable practices. In collaboration with Bastyr University, Cascadia also offers blended enrollment programs that enable candidates to earn baccalaureate credentials in the natural health sciences. These options include health psychology, integrated human biology, herbal sciences, and nutrition and exercise science.

Cascadia maintains an open admissions process that requires first-year applicants to submit an online application and high school transcripts. High school juniors and seniors who want to pursue dual enrollment must pass a placement exam. Financial aid opportunities include the Frances Bianco Scholarship for students pursuing careers in psychology, human rights, and social justice.

Located in Kirkland, Northwest University offers more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs. Bachelor's degree options include biblical literature, environmental science, marketing, and music education. Students interested in becoming game developers or UX localization engineers can enroll in a user experience program. The university also offers an online RN-to-BSN track.

NU's master's programs covers fields such as leadership studies, church revitalization, and counseling psychology. The college delivers a master in teaching that ranks among the top teacher preparation programs in the U.S. NU also provides online master's programs in business administration and international community development.

To enroll as an incoming freshman, candidates submit an online application, a personal statement, and ACT or SAT scores. Graduate candidates typically do not need to furnish standardized test results if they possess a 3.0 or higher GPA. NU funds a variety of institutional awards, including a merit-based scholarship for MBA students.

Columbia Basin College enrolls more than 11,000 students in associate transfer and technical career training programs. Workforce education programs include automotive technology, fire science, and Spanish medical interpreter.

CBC's associate programs cover fields such as communication studies, general engineering, and computer science. Students can obtain an associate degree in agriculture food systems, which explores crop production, distribution, and marketing strategies. Learners can also pursue two-year degrees in one of seven world languages.

The college offers 10 applied bachelor's programs, including majors in healthcare administration, cybersecurity, and construction project management. Learners may also earn a bachelor of teacher education through a cohort-style program that leads to initial state certification.

The school maintains an open admissions policy that only requires candidates to submit an online application. Financial aid opportunities include foundational scholarships based on a candidate's designated need and field of study.

Based in Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University delivers 44 undergraduate programs and seven graduate and professional programs to 3,100 students annually. Undergraduate students can select from majors such as social work, Chinese studies, mathematics, and computer science. PLU also offers a communication degree that enables candidates to concentrate their studies on film and media studies, strategic communication, or communications and civic engagement.

At the graduate level, degree programs covers fields such as nursing practice, creative writing, and marriage and family therapy. PLU delivers multiple master of education programs, including tracks leading to alternative teacher certification.

In addition to affordable tuition, PLU offers a variety of funding opportunities, including the Rieke Leadership Scholarship for candidates with a history of promoting racial and ethnic diversity and social justice. Prospective freshman students submit an official application, a 250-word personal essay, official transcripts, and an academic recommendation. The university gives candidates the option to submit ACT or SAT scores.

For over 50 years, Seattle Central College has provided affordable career training and college transfer opportunities to a diverse population of students. The school delivers technical associate programming in areas such as medical assisting, culinary arts, and maritime deck technology. Learners can pursue an associate degree in carpentry to access lucrative entry-level positions in the construction industry.

SCC offers six applied bachelor's programs designed to provide workplace skills in specific career areas, including dental hygiene, respiratory care, community health and education, and applied behavioral science. Students can earn a bachelor's degree in healthcare services management to access leadership roles in nursing homes and group medical practices.

On top of an open admissions process, SCC offers affordable tuition rates, large tuition discounts for military veterans, out-of-state tuition waivers, and multicultural scholarships.

Whitworth University is based in Spokane and serves 3,100 students each year. Whitworth offers undergraduate degrees in subjects like public history, applied physics, environmental studies, and visual communication. Students can pursue a bachelor of bioinformatics that explores how to use biological data to understand genetics and develop new medicines. Whitworth also offers a mathematical economics program that prepares candidates for careers as financial analysts and researchers.

Learners can enroll in master's programs for athletic training, administrative and nonprofit leadership, and school counseling. They can also earn teaching credentials that lead to initial certification in elementary or secondary education. Whitworth offers an accelerated MBA track that candidates can complete in as few as nine months.

All learners may apply for funding support, including merit-based freshman awards and military service scholarships. First-year candidates undergo a holistic evaluation process that considers GPA, academic rigor, and ACT or SAT performance. The school also bases admission decisions on each applicant's extracurricular activities and leadership accomplishments.

Founded in 1970, North Seattle College supports a diverse student population by offering affordable career training, academic transfer options, and continuing education programs. The college also facilitates dual enrollment opportunities for high school juniors and seniors through its Running Start initiative. In addition, NSC provides distance education options powered by Canvas.

Learners who want to gain entry-level employment immediately after graduation can enroll in associate programs for real estate, pharmacy technician, and watch technology. They may also pursue the electronics program, which includes options in aviation, industrial power, and mechatronics.

NSC offers applied bachelor's degrees in areas such as early childhood education and international business. Students can enroll in a four-year residential and commercial property management program which builds on foundational business and accounting skills. North Seattle maintains direct transfer pathways with the majority of four-year institutions in Washington State.

All students benefit from affordable tuition and financial aid. The college dedicates distinct resources for undocumented individuals.

Tacoma Community College enrolls over 13,000 students each year in accessible associate transfer and career training programs. The school boasts a very affordable tuition price that totals one-third the cost of most public four-year institutions in the state. TCC operates an open admission policy and accepts any student who wishes to learn.

Students can select from associate programs for radiologic science, human services, and occupational therapy. Students can earn transfer-focused credentials in areas such as microbiology and communication studies. Learners may also obtain an associate of arts in forestry, which prepares students for advanced academics in conservation science and environmental policy.

Additionally, TCC students can pursue a bachelor of applied science in applied management, health information management, or community health. The third track helps candidates develop the research and disease prevention skills to work as health educators and epidemiologists.

Financial aid opportunities at TCC include tuition waivers for dual-enrolled high school students and athletic scholarships for incoming freshmen.

Bellevue College serves more than 31,000 students, making it the largest institution in the Washington Community and Technical Colleges system. With the exception of enrollment into bachelor's programs and select technical associate tracks, Bellevue welcomes all learners through an open process.

For students interested in professional and technical training, Bellevue offers associate degrees in radiation therapy, as well as network services and computing systems. The school delivers transfer-oriented programs in areas such as business, music, and math education. Learners can also enroll in one of five science tracks before transferring to a partner university.

Bachelor's programs cover options in digital marketing, healthcare management, molecular biosciences, and interior design. By pursuing a data analytics degree, students can learn how to convert vast data sets into actionable information for businesses and organizations. In addition, Bellevue hosts an accelerated bachelor of nursing program for licensed RNs.

Highline College was established in 1961 as the first community college in King County. Today, the school serves 17,200 students through its main campus in Des Moines and distance education programs. All learners can attend Highline by simply completing an online form, applying for financial aid, and registering for classes.

Students can earn professional and technical credentials for digital forensic investigation and personal fitness training. Alternately, they may pursue transfer degrees in fields such as business, elementary education, and pre-nursing. Candidates may also pursue an associate of applied science in network security engineering, which prepares them to sit for Cisco certification exams.

At the baccalaureate level, program options include integrated design, global trade and logistics, and youth development. The college also offers a bachelor's degree in respiratory care that synthesizes advanced coursework with clinical training.

The only associate program that maintains admissions criteria is nursing, which requires applicants to display a minimum 3.0 GPA for prerequisite coursework.

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom serves over 20,000 students at its two main campuses and three satellite locations. The school delivers a range of associate transfer degrees in the arts and sciences. Students who want to earn technical associate credentials can select from programs such as construction management, occupational safety and health, and kinesiology.

Pierce hosts four applied bachelor's programs, including a bachelor's in teaching that leads to state licensure with dual endorsements in PreK-3 general education and PreK-3 special education. Candidates may also pursue an online homeland security degree that explores how to coordinate disaster planning and recovery efforts. Pierce uses the Canvas platform for online courses.

To enroll, first-time students complete an online admissions form. Financial aid opportunities include need-based tuition waivers and state grants for Washington residents. Learners may also apply for a variety of institutional scholarships.