# Best Colleges in Washington

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 46 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-washington

## Methodology

Composite score for institutions in Washington

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

When considering higher education options in Washington, prospective students have a variety of institutions to choose from, each with unique strengths. The schools on this list share a commitment to preparing students for successful careers, as evidenced by their strong graduation rates and average earnings. For instance, graduates from these colleges earn an average of $53,626, reflecting their potential in the job market.

The standout schools here demonstrate significant differences in critical outcomes such as earnings, graduation rates, and debt levels. The University of Washington-Seattle Campus, for example, boasts an impressive 84% graduation rate and a net price of $14,091. In contrast, Washington State University has a lower graduation rate of 61%, despite its own respectable earnings of $68,905. Understanding these metrics can help students and families make informed choices based on their personal and financial priorities.

To illustrate this further, consider the University of Washington-Tacoma Campus and Pacific Lutheran University. Both institutions offer a solid education, yet the Tacoma campus has a lower average net price of $10,163 compared to Pacific Lutheran's $19,589. This difference in cost may sway students who are budget-conscious while still seeking quality education. As you explore the ranking below, think about how these various factors align with your own goals and circumstances.

## Key Findings

- University of Washington-Seattle Campus graduates earn $78,466 on average, significantly above the state's average of $53,626.
- The graduation rate for University of Washington-Seattle Campus is 84%, while Washington State University sits at 61%.
- Pacific Lutheran University has a higher debt load, with $22,578 compared to the $14,615 at other University of Washington campuses.
- University of Washington-Tacoma Campus offers the lowest net price at $10,163 among the top five colleges listed.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Pacific Lutheran University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pacific-lutheran-university) | Tacoma, WA | 70% | $66,990 | $19,589 | $22,578 | 0.34x |
| 2 | [Washington State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/washington-state-university) | Pullman, WA | 61% | $68,905 | $14,971 | $19,500 | 0.28x |
| 3 | [Western Washington University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-washington-university) | Bellingham, WA | 65% | $62,569 | $21,193 | $18,500 | 0.3x |
| 4 | [Whitman College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/whitman-college) | Walla Walla, WA | 81% | $67,589 | $33,313 | $18,437 | 0.27x |
| 5 | [Seattle University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/seattle-university) | Seattle, WA | 74% | $75,272 | $34,662 | $19,883 | 0.26x |
| 6 | [Gonzaga University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/gonzaga-university) | Spokane, WA | 87% | $78,892 | $35,119 | $24,454 | 0.31x |
| 7 | [Seattle Pacific University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/seattle-pacific-university) | Seattle, WA | 62% | $64,506 | $24,488 | $24,000 | 0.37x |
| 8 | [Central Washington University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/central-washington-university) | Ellensburg, WA | 52% | $61,580 | $18,476 | $19,500 | 0.32x |
| 9 | [Eastern Washington University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/eastern-washington-university) | Cheney, WA | 45% | $57,897 | $13,886 | $19,500 | 0.34x |
| 10 | [Whitworth University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/whitworth-university) | Spokane, WA | 70% | $58,561 | $26,534 | $25,000 | 0.43x |
| 11 | [University of Washington-Seattle Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-washington-seattle-campus) | Seattle, WA | 84% | $78,466 | $14,091 | $14,615 | 0.19x |
| 12 | [University of Puget Sound](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-puget-sound) | Tacoma, WA | 68% | $69,594 | $38,394 | $25,000 | 0.36x |
| 13 | [Shoreline Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/shoreline-community-college) | Shoreline, WA | 29% | $52,009 | $8,585 | $12,021 | 0.23x |
| 14 | [Northwest University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwest-university) | Kirkland, WA | 67% | $54,914 | $22,288 | $20,891 | 0.38x |
| 15 | [Everett Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/everett-community-college) | Everett, WA | 38% | $45,434 | $10,684 | $10,417 | 0.23x |
| 16 | [Saint Martin's University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-martins-university) | Lacey, WA | 55% | $62,092 | $28,119 | $22,500 | 0.36x |
| 17 | [Walla Walla University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/walla-walla-university) | College Place, WA | 62% | $61,885 | $23,329 | $26,842 | 0.43x |
| 18 | [The Evergreen State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-evergreen-state-college) | Olympia, WA | 43% | $45,320 | $24,319 | $20,500 | 0.45x |
| 19 | [South Puget Sound Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/south-puget-sound-community-college) | Olympia, WA | 44% | $45,039 | $9,132 | $11,000 | 0.24x |
| 20 | [Tacoma Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tacoma-community-college) | Tacoma, WA | 32% | $47,168 | $8,376 | $13,000 | 0.28x |
| 21 | [Whatcom Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/whatcom-community-college) | Bellingham, WA | 36% | $44,092 | $11,795 | $10,643 | 0.24x |
| 22 | [Skagit Valley College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/skagit-valley-college) | Mount Vernon, WA | 35% | $43,505 | $6,064 | $13,805 | 0.32x |
| 23 | [Olympic College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/olympic-college) | Bremerton, WA | 33% | $43,169 | $7,172 | $12,000 | 0.28x |
| 24 | [Bellevue College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bellevue-college) | Bellevue, WA | 35% | $56,310 | $11,430 | $12,375 | 0.22x |
| 25 | [Wenatchee Valley College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wenatchee-valley-college) | Wenatchee, WA | 41% | $41,127 | $9,722 | $10,332 | 0.25x |
| 26 | [Columbia Basin College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbia-basin-college) | Pasco, WA | 30% | $46,680 | $8,317 | $14,829 | 0.32x |
| 27 | [Grays Harbor College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/grays-harbor-college) | Aberdeen, WA | 35% | $40,865 | $4,783 | $11,075 | 0.27x |
| 28 | [Clark College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/clark-college) | Vancouver, WA | 37% | $42,356 | $11,465 | $10,881 | 0.26x |
| 29 | [Big Bend Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/big-bend-community-college) | Moses Lake, WA | 39% | $43,814 | $12,210 | $9,166 | 0.21x |
| 30 | [Walla Walla Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/walla-walla-community-college) | Walla Walla, WA | 43% | $43,526 | $9,406 | $14,000 | 0.32x |
| 31 | [Lower Columbia College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lower-columbia-college) | Longview, WA | 24% | $40,691 | $7,630 | $10,506 | 0.26x |
| 32 | [Heritage University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/heritage-university) | Toppenish, WA | 46% | $49,416 | $14,598 | $14,573 | 0.29x |
| 33 | [University of Washington-Tacoma Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-washington-tacoma-campus) | Tacoma, WA | 63% | $78,466 | $10,163 | $14,615 | 0.19x |
| 34 | [Cascadia College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cascadia-college) | Bothell, WA | 37% | $54,133 | $12,281 | $6,368 | 0.12x |
| 35 | [Highline College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/highline-college) | Des Moines, WA | 37% | $47,869 | $9,879 | $9,500 | 0.2x |
| 36 | [Seattle Central College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/seattle-central-college) | Seattle, WA | 31% | $43,307 | $8,819 | $12,000 | 0.28x |
| 37 | [University of Washington-Bothell Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-washington-bothell-campus) | Bothell, WA | 67% | $78,466 | $12,319 | $14,615 | 0.19x |
| 38 | [Pierce College District](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pierce-college-district) | Lakewood, WA | 31% | $47,532 | $10,222 | $12,000 | 0.25x |
| 39 | [Green River College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/green-river-college) | Auburn, WA | 40% | $50,712 | $13,803 | $11,891 | 0.23x |
| 40 | [Edmonds College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/edmonds-college) | Lynnwood, WA | 31% | $48,144 | $11,010 | $11,855 | 0.25x |
| 41 | [Spokane Falls Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/spokane-falls-community-college) | Spokane, WA | 31% | $38,955 | $7,409 | $12,000 | 0.31x |
| 42 | [Centralia College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/centralia-college) | Centralia, WA | 44% | $43,140 | $9,862 | N/A | N/A |
| 43 | [Spokane Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/spokane-community-college) | Spokane, WA | 35% | $41,984 | $5,473 | $13,501 | 0.32x |
| 44 | [Yakima Valley College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/yakima-valley-college) | Yakima, WA | 31% | $43,499 | $11,843 | $13,966 | 0.32x |
| 45 | [Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwest-university-center-for-online-and-extended-education) | Kirkland, WA | 40% | $54,914 | $35,671 | $20,891 | 0.38x |
| 46 | [Northwest Indian College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwest-indian-college) | Bellingham, WA | 22% | $35,447 | $3,136 | N/A | N/A |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Colleges in Washington." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-washington

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.