Best Online Colleges in Washington
Learn about the top online colleges in Washington and how they can get you on the path to a fast-growing career.
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Washington offers many reasons to study in the state, including a robust job market, beautiful natural landscapes, and access to a wide variety of colleges and universities. The state also provides several opportunities for studying online, making it easy for residents and non-residents alike to secure a quality education. An online program can provide you with the flexibility to complete your education while working or balancing other obligations.
When reviewing potential programs, look for those that hold proper accreditation, offer reasonable tuition rates, and have strong data supporting employment after graduation. Check out our list of the best online universities in Washington.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Colleges in Washington
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
University of Washington
Seattle, WA4 yearCampus + Online
$10,927
$38,757
48%
19%
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $231-$389
Out-of-State | $231-$389
Credits to Graduate: 180 quarterly credits
Students can finish a bachelor's degree at UW Online in 1-2 years with enough transfer credits. The BA in early care and education and BA in integrated social sciences offer full-time and part-time enrollment options. Washington residents and non-residents pay the same affordable tuition for either program.
UW Online also offers master's degrees in fields such as aerospace engineering, library and information science, and infrastructure planning and management. A new and unique MS in healthcare simulation education teaches working healthcare professionals how to design and deliver real-life clinical education.
Admission to either bachelor's program requires between 45-75 quarter credits and a minimum 2.0 GPA.
$17,004
$30,477
94%
53,083
Public
Yes
$10,927
$38,757
Seattle, WA4 yearCampus + Online
$10,927
$38,757
48%
19%
$17,004
$30,477
94%
53,083
Public
Yes
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $231-$389
Out-of-State | $231-$389
Credits to Graduate: 180 quarterly credits
Students can finish a bachelor's degree at UW Online in 1-2 years with enough transfer credits. The BA in early care and education and BA in integrated social sciences offer full-time and part-time enrollment options. Washington residents and non-residents pay the same affordable tuition for either program.
UW Online also offers master's degrees in fields such as aerospace engineering, library and information science, and infrastructure planning and management. A new and unique MS in healthcare simulation education teaches working healthcare professionals how to design and deliver real-life clinical education.
Admission to either bachelor's program requires between 45-75 quarter credits and a minimum 2.0 GPA.
Washington State University
Pullman, WA4 yearCampus + Online
$10,708
$26,392
83%
29%
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $584
Out-of-State | $652
Credits to Graduate: 120
WSU Global Campus enrolls about 4,000 students in undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs. Affordable tuition and a transfer-friendly policy help draw degree-seekers from around the world.
You can complete one of 21 bachelor's degrees entirely online in fields such as accounting, data analytics, and criminal justice. A unique major prepares you for managerial positions in senior living communities. WSU Global's 12 master's degrees include an MBA, a master of healthcare administration and leadership, and an Ed.M. in special education.
WSU Global's students have access to free tutoring, library services, and health and wellness resources. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED certificate for first-year applicants.
$12,366
$27,163
81%
26,873
Public
Yes
$10,708
$26,392
Pullman, WA4 yearCampus + Online
$10,708
$26,392
83%
29%
$12,366
$27,163
81%
26,873
Public
Yes
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $584
Out-of-State | $652
Credits to Graduate: 120
WSU Global Campus enrolls about 4,000 students in undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs. Affordable tuition and a transfer-friendly policy help draw degree-seekers from around the world.
You can complete one of 21 bachelor's degrees entirely online in fields such as accounting, data analytics, and criminal justice. A unique major prepares you for managerial positions in senior living communities. WSU Global's 12 master's degrees include an MBA, a master of healthcare administration and leadership, and an Ed.M. in special education.
WSU Global's students have access to free tutoring, library services, and health and wellness resources. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED certificate for first-year applicants.
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA2 yearCampus + Online
$6,816
$23,881
90%
72%
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $587
Out-of-State | $1,759
Credits to Graduate: 180 quarter credits
CWU Online's leadership in online learning goes back 20 years. You can pursue traditional online majors such as business administration, sociology, and psychology. CWU Online also develops innovative programs like the BS in paramedicine and BAS in risk, insurance, and safety management with a focus on applied learning.
Graduate students can choose from 12 master's programs in fields such as higher education, professional accountancy, and IT and information management. Learners interested in short-term certificates like cybersecurity or library media can flexibly pursue them.
Speed up your education by transferring up to 135 quarter credits into a baccalaureate degree. Admission requires a minimum 2.0 GPA for first-year applicants and transfer students.
$10,401
$24,361
67%
9,257
Public
Yes
$6,816
$23,881
Ellensburg, WA2 yearCampus + Online
$6,816
$23,881
90%
72%
$10,401
$24,361
67%
9,257
Public
Yes
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $587
Out-of-State | $1,759
Credits to Graduate: 180 quarter credits
CWU Online's leadership in online learning goes back 20 years. You can pursue traditional online majors such as business administration, sociology, and psychology. CWU Online also develops innovative programs like the BS in paramedicine and BAS in risk, insurance, and safety management with a focus on applied learning.
Graduate students can choose from 12 master's programs in fields such as higher education, professional accountancy, and IT and information management. Learners interested in short-term certificates like cybersecurity or library media can flexibly pursue them.
Speed up your education by transferring up to 135 quarter credits into a baccalaureate degree. Admission requires a minimum 2.0 GPA for first-year applicants and transfer students.
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA4 yearCampus + Online
$7,080
$25,464
88%
55%
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $246-$427
Out-of-State | $246-$427
Credits to Graduate: 180
Eastern Online's nine bachelor's degrees span several disciplines. The majors include health psychology, public relations, and healthcare administration. The BA in interdisciplinary studies' customizable curriculum allows you to choose courses from two or three disciplines, programs, certificates, or academic departments.
You can complete a graduate degree in 10-16 months for less than $15,000. Eastern Online's 10 online graduate programs include an MBA and M.Ed. in education each with several emphasis areas.
Undergraduates studying online pay the same tuition whether they live in Washington or another state. Undergraduate admission requires all school transcripts for first-year applicants and transfer students.
$12,661
$27,987
67%
10,700
Public
Yes
$7,080
$25,464
Cheney, WA4 yearCampus + Online
$7,080
$25,464
88%
55%
$12,661
$27,987
67%
10,700
Public
Yes
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $246-$427
Out-of-State | $246-$427
Credits to Graduate: 180
Eastern Online's nine bachelor's degrees span several disciplines. The majors include health psychology, public relations, and healthcare administration. The BA in interdisciplinary studies' customizable curriculum allows you to choose courses from two or three disciplines, programs, certificates, or academic departments.
You can complete a graduate degree in 10-16 months for less than $15,000. Eastern Online's 10 online graduate programs include an MBA and M.Ed. in education each with several emphasis areas.
Undergraduates studying online pay the same tuition whether they live in Washington or another state. Undergraduate admission requires all school transcripts for first-year applicants and transfer students.
Cost of College in Washington
In Washington, the average tuition at public universities is actually less than the national average for in-state students. On the other hand, out-of-state learners can expect to pay more in Washington than the national average.
Keep in mind that universities often offer a lower flat rate for online degree programs, regardless of whether you live in Washington.
| Institution Type | Average Tuition & Required Fees |
|---|---|
| Public Four-Year (In-State) | $7,842 |
| Public Four-Year (Out-of-State) | $31,410 |
| Private Four-Year | $40,839 |
| Public Two-Year (In-State) | $4,727 |
| Public Two-Year (Out-of-State) | $8,421 |
10 Fast-Growing Jobs in Washington
With a large tech industry in the Evergreen State, it should come as no surprise that information security analysts are projected to be in high demand over the next decade. The Washington Employment Security Department projects roles for these professionals will grow 40% between 2021 and 2031.
Jobs for those with a religious calling are also in demand, with roles for directors of religious activities and education, religious workers, and clergy all slated to expand in the coming years.
| Job | Job Growth, 2021-2031 | Average Annual Wage, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Information Security Analysts | 40% | $112,000 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | 35% | $49,380 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | 34% | $131,280 |
| Religious Workers | 34% | $39,370 |
| Music Directors and Composers | 34% | $62,940 |
| Clergy | 33% | $55,550 |
| Chief Executives | 32% | $100,090 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | 30% | $164,070 |
| Computer Systems Analysts | 30% | $102,240 |
| Management Analysts | 29% | $95,290 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in Washington
Many factors go into what makes the cheapest online college, including federal aid. From a strictly tuition-based standpoint, Washington State University’s Global Campus charges among the cheapest tuition rates at $5,675 per semester for residents and $6,326 for non-residents.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed April 16, 2024.
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