2023 Most Popular Schools in Washington
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. 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. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Schools in Washington to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 95 schools in Washington to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Schools in Washington
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named University of Washington - Seattle Campus the most popular school in Washington for students working on their degree. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large public school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 15,234 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,284 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $303.After graduating from UW Seattle, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $57,782 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Washington State University is a great place for students. Wazzu is a public institution located in Pullman, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8,678 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,489 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $312, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Wazzu graduates make an average of $49,774 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Out of the 95 schools in Washington that were part of this year’s ranking, Western Washington University landed the # 3 spot on the list. WWU is a public institution located in Bellingham, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,975 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $20,477 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $259. Once they receive their degree, WWU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,481 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Central Washington University is a great place for students. CWU is a fairly large public school situated in Ellensburg, Washington. It awarded 3,496 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,759 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $204.After graduating from CWU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,823 during the early years of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Eastern Washington University is a great place for students. Located in Cheney, Washington, the fairly large public school awarded 3,364 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from EWU accumulate an average of $23,697 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 $165 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, EWU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,008 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Green River College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #6 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Auburn, Washington, and it awarded 2,748 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,657 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.
With a ranking of #7, Bellevue College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Bellevue College is a fairly large public school located in Bellevue, Washington that handed out 2,717 degrees in 2020-2021.
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. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Olympic College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. OC is a small public school situated in Bremerton, Washington. It awarded 2,534 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,653 in student loans.After graduating from OC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,431 during the early years of their career. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.
Seattle University ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Washington list. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 2,500 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,543 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $708.After graduating from Seattle U, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,066 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Gonzaga University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Washington list. Gonzaga is a private not-for-profit institution located in Spokane, Washington. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,266 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Gonzaga accumulate an average of $21,118 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 $773.After graduating from Gonzaga, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,213 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
University of Washington - Bothell Campus ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Washington list. This medium-sized public school is located in Bothell, Washington, and it awarded 2,156 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $17,547 in loans while pursuing 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.After graduating from UW Bothell, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $57,527 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.
With a ranking of #12, Everett Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Everett, Washington, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,039 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $16,056 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Everett Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,179 during the early years of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Washington - Tacoma Campus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Washington ranking. UW Tacoma is a medium-sized public school situated in Tacoma, Washington. 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.After graduating from UW Tacoma, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,004 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Read full report on University of Washington - Tacoma Campus
Spokane Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #14 on the list. Spokane Community College is a public institution located in Spokane, Washington. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,020 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Spokane Community College accumulate an average of $18,445 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Spokane Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,399 during the early years of their career. Around 44% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #15, Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. This medium-sized public school is located in Lakewood, Washington, and it awarded 1,999 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,167 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $22,356 during the early year of their career. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #16, Clark College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Clark College is a medium-sized public school located in Vancouver, Washington that handed out 1,904 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Clark College accumulate an average of $16,706 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Clark College graduates make an average of $35,720 annually. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Columbia Basin College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Located in Pasco, Washington, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,778 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from CBC accumulate an average of $18,350 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, CBC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,655 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
Edmonds Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Edmonds Community College is a public institution located in Lynnwood, Washington. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,771 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Edmonds Community College accumulate an average of $17,935 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Edmonds Community College graduates make an average of $21,931 annually. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
Clover Park Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #19 on the 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.
With a ranking of #20, Tacoma Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Tacoma, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,736 students 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. Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.
South Puget Sound Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Olympia, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,558 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from South Puget Sound Community College accumulate an average of $16,096 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, South Puget Sound Community College graduates make an average of $39,106 annually. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Shoreline Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #22 on the list. Shoreline Community College is located in Shoreline, Washington and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,521 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Shoreline Community College accumulate an average of $18,550 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Shoreline Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,689 during the early years of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Whatcom Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Washington list. Whatcom Community College is located in Bellingham, Washington and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,343 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Whatcom Community College accumulate an average of $17,808 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Whatcom Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,278 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
With a ranking of #24, Seattle Central College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Seattle Central is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,319 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Seattle Central accumulate an average of $14,549 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Seattle Central, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $56,258 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Charter College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #25 on the list. Charter College is a small private for-profit school situated in Vancouver, Washington. 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.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 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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