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Best Schools in Washington

2023 Best Schools in Washington

46 Schools Ranked
$52,033 Average Earnings
$32,614 Avg Student Debt

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Schools in Washington to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 46 schools in Washington to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in Washington

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

1,800 Total Awards
$61,925 Average Earnings
$36,156 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named University of Washington - Tacoma Campus the best school in Washington for students working on their degree. This small public school is located in Tacoma, Washington, and it awarded 1,800 degrees in .

Degree recipients from UW Tacoma accumulate an average of $36,156 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from UW Tacoma, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $61,925 during the early years of their career.

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15,667 Total Awards
$65,681 Average Earnings
$39,024 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at University of Washington - Seattle Campus helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Washington. UW Seattle is located in Seattle, Washington and has a large student population. In , this school awarded 15,667 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from UW Seattle accumulate an average of $39,024 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, UW Seattle graduates make an average of $65,681 annually.

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1,913 Total Awards
$65,932 Average Earnings
$35,491 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Bothell Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Schools in Washington list. UW Bothell is located in Bothell, Washington and has a medium-sized student population. In , this school awarded 1,913 degrees to qualified students.

On average, students take out $35,491 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UW Bothell, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $65,932 during the early years of their career.

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#4

Gonzaga University

Spokane, Washington
2,199 Total Awards
$58,733 Average Earnings
$69,490 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Gonzaga University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Schools in Washington list. Gonzaga University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Spokane, Washington that handed out 2,199 degrees in .

On average, students take out $69,490 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Gonzaga graduates make an average of $58,733 annually.

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#5

Saint Martin's University

Lacey, Washington
593 Total Awards
$60,864 Average Earnings
$33,291 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Saint Martin’s University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Schools in Washington list. Lacey, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 593 students in .

Degree recipients from Saint Martin’s accumulate an average of $33,291 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Saint Martin’s graduates make an average of $60,864 annually.

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#6

Seattle Pacific University

Seattle, Washington
1,049 Total Awards
$52,713 Average Earnings
$48,917 Avg Student Debt

Seattle Pacific University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Washington ranking. SPU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,049 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $48,917 in student loans.After graduating from SPU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,713 during the early years of their career.

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#7

Bellevue College

Bellevue, Washington
1,934 Total Awards
$67,771 Average Earnings
$14,519 Avg Student Debt

Bellevue College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Bellevue, Washington is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,934 students in .

On average, students take out $14,519 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, BC graduates make an average of $67,771 annually.

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#8

University of Puget Sound

Tacoma, Washington
702 Total Awards
$34,408 Average Earnings
$74,197 Avg Student Debt

University of Puget Sound came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Washington ranking. University of Puget Sound is a small private not-for-profit school located in Tacoma, Washington that handed out 702 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Puget Sound accumulate an average of $74,197 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Puget Sound graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,408 during the early year of their career.

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#9

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
8,543 Total Awards
$54,697 Average Earnings
$38,348 Avg Student Debt

Washington State University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. This large public school is located in Pullman, Washington, and it awarded 8,543 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Wazzu accumulate an average of $38,348 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Wazzu graduates make an average of $54,697 annually.

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#10

Seattle University

Seattle, Washington
2,525 Total Awards
$63,214 Average Earnings
$63,446 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #10, Seattle University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Seattle U is located in Seattle, Washington and has a medium-sized student population. In , this school awarded 2,525 degrees to qualified students.

On average, students take out $63,446 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Seattle U graduates make an average of $63,214 annually.

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#11

Central Washington University

Ellensburg, Washington
2,538 Total Awards
$44,178 Average Earnings
$30,816 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #11, Central Washington University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Located in Ellensburg, Washington, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,538 degrees in .

Degree recipients from CWU accumulate an average of $30,816 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, CWU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,178 during the early year of their career.

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#12

Whitworth University

Spokane, Washington
805 Total Awards
$47,998 Average Earnings
$45,944 Avg Student Debt

Whitworth University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Spokane, Washington, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 805 diplomas to qualifed students in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $45,944 in student loans.After graduating from Whitworth, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,998 during the early years of their career.

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#13

Pacific Lutheran University

Tacoma, Washington
867 Total Awards
$49,181 Average Earnings
$39,440 Avg Student Debt

Pacific Lutheran University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Tacoma, Washington, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 867 diplomas to qualifed students in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $39,440 in student loans. During the early years of their career, PLU graduates make an average of $49,181 annually.

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#14

North Seattle College

Seattle, Washington
911 Total Awards
$48,739 Average Earnings
$36,990 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #14, North Seattle College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. North Seattle is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 911 degrees in .

On average, students take out $36,990 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, North Seattle graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,739 during the early year of their career.

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#15

Charter College

Anchorage, Alaska
1,223 Total Awards
$41,123 Average Earnings
$15,777 Avg Student Debt

Charter College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Schools in Washington list. This small private for-profit school is located in Anchorage, Alaska, and it awarded 1,223 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Charter College accumulate an average of $15,777 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Charter College graduates make an average of $41,123 annually.

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#16

Whitman College

Walla Walla, Washington
387 Total Awards
$32,345 Average Earnings

Whitman College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Washington ranking. Whitman is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Walla Walla, Washington. It awarded 387 degrees in .

Once they receive their degree, Whitman graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,345 during the early year of their career.

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#17

Highline College

Des Moines, Washington
1,106 Total Awards
$55,459 Average Earnings
$16,936 Avg Student Debt

Highline College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #17 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Des Moines, Washington, and it awarded 1,106 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Highline accumulate an average of $16,936 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Highline graduates make an average of $55,459 annually.

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#18

Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington
3,729 Total Awards
$41,118 Average Earnings
$30,372 Avg Student Debt

Western Washington University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #18 on the list. WWU is a fairly large public school situated in Bellingham, Washington. It awarded 3,729 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,372 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, WWU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,118 during the early year of their career.

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#19

Centralia College

Centralia, Washington
511 Total Awards
$77,740 Average Earnings

Centralia College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Washington ranking. This small public school is located in Centralia, Washington, and it awarded 511 degrees in .

After graduating from Centralia College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $77,740 during the early years of their career.

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#20

City University of Seattle

Seattle, Washington
529 Total Awards
$76,698 Average Earnings

City University of Seattle ranked #20 on this year’s Best Schools in Washington list. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 529 students in .

Once they receive their degree, CityU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $76,698 during the early year of their career.

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#21

Columbia Basin College

Pasco, Washington
1,522 Total Awards
$63,976 Average Earnings

With a ranking of #21, Columbia Basin College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Columbia Basin College is a medium-sized public school located in Pasco, Washington that handed out 1,522 degrees in .

During the early years of their career, CBC graduates make an average of $63,976 annually.

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#22

Heritage University

Toppenish, Washington
249 Total Awards
$67,426 Average Earnings

With a ranking of #22, Heritage University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Located in Toppenish, Washington, the very small private not-for-profit school awarded 249 diplomas to qualifed students in .

Once they receive their degree, Heritage University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $67,426 during the early year of their career.

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#23

Eastern Washington University

Cheney, Washington
3,446 Total Awards
$47,144 Average Earnings
$21,842 Avg Student Debt

Eastern Washington University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #23 on the list. EWU is a public institution located in Cheney, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,446 degrees in .

Degree recipients from EWU accumulate an average of $21,842 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, EWU graduates make an average of $47,144 annually.

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223 Total Awards
$51,541 Average Earnings
$21,544 Avg Student Debt

Northwest University - College of Adult and Professional Studies landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Northwest University - College of Adult and Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in Kirkland, Washington that handed out 223 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Northwest University CAPS accumulate an average of $21,544 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Northwest University CAPS graduates make an average of $51,541 annually.

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#25

Olympic College

Bremerton, Washington
2,104 Total Awards
$57,593 Average Earnings
$15,431 Avg Student Debt

Olympic College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #25 on the list. OC is located in Bremerton, Washington and has a medium-sized student population. In , this school awarded 2,104 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from OC accumulate an average of $15,431 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, OC graduates make an average of $57,593 annually.

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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