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2023 Best Schools in Washington

46 Schools Ranked
$45,497 Average Earnings
$19,760 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:

$52,004 Average Earnings
$18,619 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found University of Washington - Tacoma Campus to be the best school for students in Washington.

Degree recipients from UW Tacoma accumulate an average of $18,619 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $258 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UW Tacoma graduates make an average of $52,004 annually.

Full University of Washington - Tacoma Campus Report

$57,782 Average Earnings
$18,284 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a great place for students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,284 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $303, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UW Seattle graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $57,782 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of Washington - Seattle Campus

$57,527 Average Earnings
$17,547 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Washington - Bothell Campus. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Schools in Washington list.

Degree recipients from UW Bothell accumulate an average of $17,547 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $263 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UW Bothell graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $57,527 during the early year of their career.

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#4

Gonzaga University

Spokane, Washington
$51,213 Average Earnings
$21,118 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Gonzaga University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Washington.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,118 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $773 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Gonzaga graduates make an average of $51,213 annually.

Read full report on Gonzaga University

#5

Saint Martin's University

Lacey, Washington
$50,383 Average Earnings
$23,178 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Saint Martin’s University is a great place for students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,178 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Saint Martin’s graduates make an average of $50,383 annually.

Full Saint Martin’s University Report

#6

Seattle Pacific University

Seattle, Washington
$49,703 Average Earnings
$23,778 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #6, Seattle Pacific University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

Degree recipients from SPU accumulate an average of $23,778 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $394. Once they receive their degree, SPU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,703 during the early year of their career.

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#7

Bellevue College

Bellevue, Washington
$53,966 Average Earnings
$19,741 Avg Student Debt

Bellevue College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #7 on the list.

On average, students take out $19,741 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, BC graduates make an average of $53,966 annually.

Full Bellevue College Report

#8

University of Puget Sound

Tacoma, Washington
$35,479 Average Earnings
$21,751 Avg Student Debt

University of Puget Sound came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Washington ranking.

Degree recipients from Puget Sound accumulate an average of $21,751 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $922. Once they receive their degree, Puget Sound graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,479 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of Puget Sound

#9

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
$49,774 Average Earnings
$22,489 Avg Student Debt

Washington State University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,489 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $312 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Wazzu graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,774 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Washington State University

#10

Seattle University

Seattle, Washington
$51,066 Average Earnings
$20,543 Avg Student Debt

Seattle University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Washington ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,543 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $708, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Seattle U graduates make an average of $51,066 annually.

Read full report on Seattle University

#11

Central Washington University

Ellensburg, Washington
$39,823 Average Earnings
$22,759 Avg Student Debt

Central Washington University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #11 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,759 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $204, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from CWU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,823 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Central Washington University

#12

Whitworth University

Spokane, Washington
$43,444 Average Earnings
$26,989 Avg Student Debt

Whitworth University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Washington ranking.

Degree recipients from Whitworth accumulate an average of $26,989 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $541, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Whitworth graduates make an average of $43,444 annually.

Read full report on Whitworth University

#13

Pacific Lutheran University

Tacoma, Washington
$41,047 Average Earnings
$23,517 Avg Student Debt

Pacific Lutheran University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #13 on the list.

On average, students take out $23,517 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $442. Once they receive their degree, PLU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,047 during the early year of their career.

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#14

North Seattle College

Seattle, Washington
$52,851 Average Earnings
$17,979 Avg Student Debt

North Seattle College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

Degree recipients from North Seattle accumulate an average of $17,979 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, North Seattle graduates make an average of $52,851 annually.

Read full report on North Seattle College

#15

Charter College

Vancouver, Washington
$35,122 Average Earnings
$22,228 Avg Student Debt

Charter College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #15 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,228 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Charter College graduates make an average of $35,122 annually.

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#16

Whitman College

Walla Walla, Washington
$27,167 Average Earnings

Whitman College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Schools in Washington list.

During the early years of their career, Whitman graduates make an average of $27,167 annually.

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#17

Highline College

Des Moines, Washington
$47,918 Average Earnings
$14,827 Avg Student Debt

Highline College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Washington ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,827 in student loans.After graduating from Highline, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,918 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Highline College

#18

Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington
$36,481 Average Earnings
$20,477 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.

On average, students take out $20,477 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $259, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from WWU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,481 during the early years of their career.

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#19

Centralia College

Centralia, Washington
$43,843 Average Earnings
$12,250 Avg Student Debt

Centralia College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #19 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,250 in student loans.After graduating from Centralia College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,843 during the early years of their career.

Full Centralia College Report

#20

City University of Seattle

Seattle, Washington
$68,145 Average Earnings
$29,693 Avg Student Debt

City University of Seattle ranked #20 on this year’s Best Schools in Washington list.

Degree recipients from CityU accumulate an average of $29,693 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from CityU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $68,145 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on City University of Seattle

#21

Columbia Basin College

Pasco, Washington
$49,655 Average Earnings
$18,350 Avg Student Debt

Columbia Basin College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Washington ranking.

Degree recipients from CBC accumulate an average of $18,350 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from CBC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,655 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Columbia Basin College

#22

Heritage University

Toppenish, Washington
$48,496 Average Earnings
$21,537 Avg Student Debt

Heritage University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Schools in Washington list.

Degree recipients from Heritage University accumulate an average of $21,537 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Heritage University graduates make an average of $48,496 annually.

Read More…

#23

Eastern Washington University

Cheney, Washington
$41,008 Average Earnings
$23,697 Avg Student Debt

Eastern Washington University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Washington ranking.

On average, students take out $23,697 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $165.After graduating from EWU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,008 during the early years of their career.

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$39,631 Average Earnings
$25,959 Avg Student Debt

Northwest University - College of Adult and Professional Studies ranked #24 on this year’s Best Schools in Washington list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,959 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Northwest University CAPS graduates make an average of $39,631 annually.

Full Northwest University - College of Adult and Professional Studies Report

#25

Olympic College

Bremerton, Washington
$50,431 Average Earnings
$14,653 Avg Student Debt

Olympic College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Washington ranking.

Degree recipients from OC accumulate an average of $14,653 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from OC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,431 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Olympic College

Best Schools in the Far Western US Region

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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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