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Most Popular Online Schools in Washington

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2023 Most Popular Online Schools in Washington

19 Schools Ranked
$45,497 Average Earnings
$19,760 Avg Student Debt

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. As online education opportunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Online Schools in Washington ranking. Our analysis looked at 19 schools in Washington to see which online programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:

#1

Central Washington University

Ellensburg, Washington
3,496 Total Awards
$39,823 Average Earnings
$22,759 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Central Washington University to be the most popular school for students in Washington. Located in Ellensburg, Washington, the fairly large public school handed out 3,496 degrees in 2020-2021.

Degree recipients from CWU accumulate an average of $22,759 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 $204. During the early years of their career, CWU graduates make an average of $39,823 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Central Washington University

#2

Walla Walla Community College

Walla Walla, Washington
967 Total Awards
$40,019 Average Earnings
$19,291 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you attend Walla Walla Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Online Schools in Washington list. Walla Walla Community College is a small public school located in Walla Walla, Washington that handed out 967 degrees in 2020-2021.

Degree recipients from Walla Walla Community College accumulate an average of $19,291 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Walla Walla Community College graduates make an average of $40,019 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.

Read full report on Walla Walla Community College

#3

Charter College

Vancouver, Washington
1,353 Total Awards
$35,122 Average Earnings
$22,228 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 19 schools in Washington that were part of this year’s ranking, Charter College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Charter College is a private for-profit institution located in Vancouver, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,353 degrees in 2020-2021.

Degree recipients from Charter College accumulate an average of $22,228 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Charter College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,122 during the early years of their career. Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Charter College Report

15,234 Total Awards
$57,782 Average Earnings
$18,284 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a great place for students. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large public school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 15,234 degrees in 2020-2021.

Degree recipients from UW Seattle accumulate an average of $18,284 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 $303 if they 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. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.

Read full report on University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#5

City University of Seattle

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City University of Seattle. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Schools in Washington list. Located in Seattle, Washington, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 644 degrees in 2020-2021.

Degree recipients from CityU accumulate an average of $29,693 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, CityU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $68,145 during the early year of their career. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.

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#6

Northwest Indian College

Bellingham, Washington
123 Total Awards
$34,310 Average Earnings
$17,073 Avg Student Debt

Northwest Indian College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Bellingham, Washington, the very small public school awarded 123 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,073 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Northwest Indian College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,310 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.

Full Northwest Indian College Report

#7

Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington
3,975 Total Awards
$36,481 Average Earnings
$20,477 Avg Student Debt

Western Washington University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Bellingham, Washington, the fairly large public school awarded 3,975 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

Degree recipients from WWU accumulate an average of $20,477 in student debt by the time they complete 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. During the early years of their career, WWU graduates make an average of $36,481 annually. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Western Washington University

2,029 Total Awards
$52,004 Average Earnings
$18,619 Avg Student Debt

University of Washington - Tacoma Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #8 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Tacoma, Washington, and it awarded 2,029 degrees in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,619 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $258. During the early years of their career, UW Tacoma graduates make an average of $52,004 annually. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.

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#9

Faith International University

Tacoma, Washington
114 Total Awards
$53,506 Average Earnings
$14,198 Avg Student Debt

Faith International University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Tacoma, Washington, and it awarded 114 degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $14,198 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Faith graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,506 during the early year of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.

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#10

Peninsula College

Port Angeles, Washington
414 Total Awards
$36,212 Average Earnings
$17,751 Avg Student Debt

Peninsula College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in Port Angeles, Washington, the small public school awarded 414 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $17,751 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Peninsula College graduates make an average of $36,212 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.

Read More…

#11

Clover Park Technical College

Lakewood, Washington
1,769 Total Awards
$41,883 Average Earnings
$16,810 Avg Student Debt

Clover Park Technical College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Online Schools in Washington list. Clover Park Technical College is a small public school located in Lakewood, Washington that handed out 1,769 degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $16,810 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, CPTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,883 during the early year of their career. Around 41% of those degree recipients were women.

Read More…

#12

Tacoma Community College

Tacoma, Washington
1,736 Total Awards
$43,924 Average Earnings
$18,614 Avg Student Debt

Tacoma Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Tacoma Community College is a public institution located in Tacoma, Washington. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,736 degrees in 2020-2021.

Degree recipients from Tacoma Community College accumulate an average of $18,614 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Tacoma Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,924 during the early years of their career. Around 71% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Tacoma Community College

1,238 Total Awards
$51,320 Average Earnings
$18,538 Avg Student Debt

Lake Washington Institute of Technology landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. LWTech is a small public school situated in Kirkland, Washington. It awarded 1,238 degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $18,538 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, LWTech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,320 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.

Read full report on Lake Washington Institute of Technology

#14

Carrington College, Spokane

Spokane, Washington
255 Total Awards
$31,574 Average Earnings
$13,431 Avg Student Debt

Carrington College, Spokane came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Spokane, Washington, the very small private for-profit school handed out 255 degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $13,431 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $84, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Carrington College, Spokane graduates make an average of $31,574 annually. Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Carrington College, Spokane

#15

Eastern Washington University

Cheney, Washington
3,364 Total Awards
$41,008 Average Earnings
$23,697 Avg Student Debt

Eastern Washington University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #15 on the list. Cheney, Washington is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,364 students in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $23,697 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $165, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from EWU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,008 during the early years of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Eastern Washington University Report

#16

Bates Technical College

Tacoma, Washington
797 Total Awards

Bates Technical College ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Online Schools in Washington list. Tacoma, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 797 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.

Read More…

#16

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
8,678 Total Awards
$49,774 Average Earnings
$22,489 Avg Student Debt

Washington State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #16 on the list. Wazzu is located in Pullman, Washington and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8,678 degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,489 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $312.After graduating from Wazzu, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,774 during the early years of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.

Read full report on Washington State University

#18

Renton Technical College

Renton, Washington
894 Total Awards
$58,605 Average Earnings
$19,632 Avg Student Debt

Renton Technical College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Schools in Washington ranking. Renton Technical College is a public institution located in Renton, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 894 degrees in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,632 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Renton Technical College graduates make an average of $58,605 annually. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Renton Technical College Report

204 Total Awards
$39,631 Average Earnings
$25,959 Avg Student Debt

Northwest University - College of Adult and Professional Studies did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #19 on the list. Northwest University CAPS is a private not-for-profit institution located in Kirkland, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 204 degrees in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,959 in student loans.After graduating from Northwest University CAPS, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,631 during the early years of their career. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.

Read More…

Most Popular Online Schools in the Far Western US Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 19 schools only.

References

  • 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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