Rankings / By State
Best Business Colleges in Washington
- 45
- Schools
- $53,316
- Avg. Earnings
- 46%
- Avg. Graduation
- $14,949
- Avg. Net Price
- $15,514
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
-
Median graduate earnings across these 45 schools run from $35,447 to $78,892, a 2.2× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
-
Northwest Indian College delivers the most for the money: roughly $35,447 in median earnings against $3,136 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
-
Northwest Indian College is the lowest-cost school here at $3,136 a year in net price.
-
Gonzaga University graduates 87% of its students, versus a 46% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
-
Cascadia College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.12× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- Northwest Indian College costs $3,136 a year and University of Puget Sound costs $38,394. Yet their graduates earn $35,447 and $69,594, nowhere near the $35,258 price gap.
- On value, Northwest Indian College beats Gonzaga University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: Gonzaga University finishes 87% of students while Northwest Indian College finishes 22%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Northwest Indian College and Gonzaga University. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
Business is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $48K within a decade, and management analyst roles are projected to grow 10%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Gonzaga University #1 overall | $78,892 ▲ +48% vs avg | $35,119 | 87% | 84 |
| 2 Washington State University #2 overall | $68,905 ▲ +29% vs avg | $14,971 | 61% | 80 |
| 3 Seattle University #3 overall | $75,272 ▲ +41% vs avg | $34,662 | 74% | 78 |
| $66,990 ▲ +26% vs avg | $19,589 | 70% | 78 | |
| $61,580 ▲ +16% vs avg | $18,476 | 52% | 76 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Business Colleges in Washington
This analysis ranks 45 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $53,316 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 46% and an average net price of $14,949.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Northwest Indian College — Net Price: $3,136 | Graduation Rate: 22%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Gonzaga University — 87% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Gonzaga University — Median alumni earnings: $78,892
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Management Education Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about leadership and management education?
$48,144
Median earnings (10yr)
40%
Median graduation rate
$11,795
Median net price
1.4%
Avg. mobility rate
Business and MBA programs sell acceleration: faster paths into management, bigger networks, and a salary step-change. The return is famously dispersed, though. A handful of programs deliver enormous ROI through placement and alumni networks, while many barely clear the cost of attendance. Management education is less a single product than a wide spectrum of outcomes.
Across the 45 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $48,144 ten years after they first enrolled, about $144 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 40%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $11,795 a year, with about $13,966 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 27% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.4%.
What we’re seeing: value concentrates where networks and employer pipelines are strongest, and ROI varies more here than in almost any other field. Median earnings reach $48,144 ten years after enrollment, with Gonzaga University at the top of the list. The spread between the best programs and the median is the real story of an MBA.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Gonzaga University lands at #1 with a 84/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $78,892 a decade after enrolling, 48% above this list's average, and net price runs $35,119 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Washington State University lands at #2 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $68,905 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,971 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Seattle University lands at #3 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $75,272 a decade after enrolling, 41% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,662 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Pacific Lutheran University lands at #4 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $66,990 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,589 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Central Washington University lands at #5 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $61,580 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,476 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Western Washington University lands at #6 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $62,569 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,193 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Walla Walla University lands at #7 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $61,885 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,329 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Seattle Pacific University lands at #8 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $64,506 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,488 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Eastern Washington University lands at #9 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $57,897 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,886 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Whitworth University lands at #10 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $58,561 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,534 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Tacoma Community College lands at #11 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $47,168 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,376 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Northwest University lands at #12 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $54,914 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,288 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
University of Puget Sound lands at #13 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $69,594 a decade after enrolling, 31% above this list's average, and net price runs $38,394 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Whatcom Community College lands at #14 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (66/100). Graduates earn a median $44,092 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,795 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Seattle, WA · 39% accepted · $14,091 net
Why it ranks #15
University of Washington-Seattle Campus lands at #15 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (88/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $78,466 a decade after enrolling, 47% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,091 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Bellevue College lands at #16 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $56,310 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,430 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Walla Walla Community College lands at #17 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $43,526 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,406 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Everett Community College lands at #18 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (66/100). Graduates earn a median $45,434 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,684 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Clark College lands at #19 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (65/100). Graduates earn a median $42,356 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,465 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Saint Martin's University lands at #20 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $62,092 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,119 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
South Puget Sound Community College lands at #21 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (66/100). Graduates earn a median $45,039 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,132 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus lands at #22 with a 69/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (43/100). Graduates earn a median $78,466 a decade after enrolling, 47% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,163 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Big Bend Community College lands at #23 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $43,814 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,210 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Columbia Basin College lands at #24 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $46,680 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,317 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
The Evergreen State College lands at #25 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $45,320 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,319 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Shoreline College lands at #26 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $52,009 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,585 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Skagit Valley College lands at #27 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $43,505 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,064 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Olympic College lands at #28 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $43,169 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,172 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Heritage University lands at #29 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $49,416 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,598 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Grays Harbor College lands at #30 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (63/100). Graduates earn a median $40,865 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,783 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Bothell, WA · 91% accepted · $12,319 net
Why it ranks #31
University of Washington-Bothell Campus lands at #31 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (32/100). Graduates earn a median $78,466 a decade after enrolling, 47% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,319 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Wenatchee Valley College lands at #32 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $41,127 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,722 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Lower Columbia College lands at #33 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $40,691 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,630 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Edmonds College lands at #34 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (50/100). Graduates earn a median $48,144 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,010 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Cascadia College lands at #35 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by social mobility (55/100). Graduates earn a median $54,133 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,281 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Highline College lands at #36 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $47,869 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,879 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Green River College lands at #37 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (75/100) and pulled down by social mobility (51/100). Graduates earn a median $50,712 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,803 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Pierce College District lands at #38 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $47,532 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,222 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Kirkland, WA · $35,671 net
Why it ranks #39
Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education lands at #39 with a 60/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (66/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $54,914 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $35,671 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Seattle Central College lands at #40 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (56/100). Graduates earn a median $43,307 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,819 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Centralia College lands at #41 with a 56/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (33/100). Graduates earn a median $43,140 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,862 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Spokane Falls Community College lands at #42 with a 55/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (46/100). Graduates earn a median $38,955 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,409 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Spokane Community College lands at #43 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (39/100). Graduates earn a median $41,984 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,473 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Yakima Valley College lands at #44 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (76/100) and pulled down by social mobility (44/100). Graduates earn a median $43,499 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,843 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Northwest Indian College lands at #45 with a 52/100 composite, led by value per dollar (95/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (26/100). Graduates earn a median $35,447 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,136 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 45 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Management Analysts and related roles — a field with $99,410 median pay and 10% projected growth.
See the Management Analyst career guide →In Washington, business colleges offer a range of opportunities for students looking to build their careers. With 45 schools in this ranking, prospective students can find programs that align with their goals and financial situations. On average, graduates from these institutions earn about $53,316 annually, making it a crucial time to weigh their options carefully.
What sets the top programs apart are their impressive graduation rates, earnings potential, and manageable debt levels. For instance, the University of Washington-Seattle Campus boasts an 84% graduation rate and offers graduates an average earning of $78,466. As you explore the schools below, keep an eye on the balance between these outcomes and how they fit your personal circumstances.
Take Gonzaga University and Washington State University as examples. Gonzaga graduates enjoy a higher earning potential of $78,892 with an 87% graduation rate, but they face a higher net price of $35,119 compared to WSU's $14,971. This contrast illustrates the trade-offs involved in choosing a program that best aligns with your financial and career aspirations.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 30 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.4%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Saint Martin's University leads the group at 3%, with Grays Harbor College (2%) and Eastern Washington University (1.9%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 8.6% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Heritage University enrolls the most, at 19.4%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 19.6% across the list, peaking at 40.3% at Seattle University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.40, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Seattle University is highest at 1.85.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When comparing Gonzaga University and the University of Washington-Bothell Campus, one clear pattern emerges. Gonzaga's graduates have an advantage with an average earnings figure of $78,892, compared to Bothell's $78,466. However, Gonzaga also has a significantly higher net price at $35,119 versus Bothell's $12,319, highlighting the trade-off between cost and potential earnings.
Now that you’ve seen the data, consider what matters most to you. Are you prioritizing location, program fit, or financial considerations? For example, if minimizing debt is crucial, the University of Washington-Tacoma Campus could be a better fit with a net price of $10,163 and a graduation rate of 63%. Weigh these factors carefully against your personal and financial goals.
The path from college to a stable life hinges on these crucial decisions. A student choosing between Gonzaga and Washington State University must consider how each option shapes their career and financial future. One decision can lead to different outcomes, so take the time to align your choices with your aspirations.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Business Colleges in Washington: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Business Colleges in Washington ranking? +
Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Business Colleges in Washington ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $78,892 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 87% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Gonzaga University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $78,892 ten years after enrollment, well above the $53,316 average across the 45 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Northwest Indian College leads: graduates earn a median $35,447 against net price of about $3,136 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Gonzaga University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 87%, compared with a 46% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $14,949 a year across the 45 ranked schools with cost data. Northwest Indian College is among the most affordable at roughly $3,136. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Business Colleges in Washington ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 45 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
