Best Colleges in Washington (2019-2020)

The schools listed below rank in the best colleges in Washington. For this ranking, we consider any type/level of colleges including national universities, liberal arts colleges, community colleges, and specialized schools. In Washington, there are 108 colleges and universities - by school type, 43 public and 65 private schools, and by school level, 64 4 years (or high), 19 2-4 years, and 25 less than 2 years schools.

For academic year 2019-2020, University of Washington-Seattle Campus ranks first in the best Washington colleges ranking and Whitman College and Gonzaga University followed it. By school type, there are 5 public and 5 schools in the best Washington colleges.

The average acceptance rate of the best Washington colleges 75.51% where University of Washington-Seattle Campus has the tightest rate with 48.69%. Whitman College has the highest tuition & fees with $53,820 where the average amount is $38,929 of the schools. University of Washington-Seattle Campus has the highest submitted SAT scores with 1,340 where the average SAT scores is 1,196 of the schools. The average student population is 12,766 and the average student to faculty ratio is 14.40 to 1 over the best Washington colleges.

The ranking is based on CollegeEvaluator's ranking methodology by considering academic, financial, admissions, learning environment, and more perspectives. [read more about the ranking methodology]

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1University of Washington-Seattle Campus 87.36

University of Washington-Seattle Campus is a public, 4 or more years school located in Seattle, WA with total 47,400 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,340
Acceptance Rate	48.69%
Tuition & Fees	$11,465 (in-state) / $38,166 (out-of-state)
Student Population	47,400 (32,099 Undergraduate)
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2Whitman College 86.50

Whitman College is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Walla Walla, WA with total 1,475 students.

Highest Degree	Bachelor's degree
SAT Scores	1,340
Acceptance Rate	50.15%
Tuition & Fees	$53,820
Student Population	1,475 (All Undergraduate)
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3Gonzaga University 86.24

Gonzaga University is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Spokane, WA with total 7,563 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,270
Acceptance Rate	65.62%
Tuition & Fees	$45,140
Student Population	7,563 (5,304 Undergraduate)
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4University of Washington-Bothell Campus 86.11

University of Washington-Bothell Campus is a public, 4 or more years school located in Bothell, WA with total 5,970 students.

Highest Degree	Master's degree
SAT Scores	1,140
Acceptance Rate	79.35%
Tuition & Fees	$11,390 (in-state) / $38,091 (out-of-state)
Student Population	5,970 (5,401 Undergraduate)
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51University of Washington-Tacoma Campus 86.01

University of Washington-Tacoma Campus is a public, 4 or more years school located in Tacoma, WA with total 5,354 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,085
Acceptance Rate	85.56%
Tuition & Fees	$11,639 (in-state) / $38,340 (out-of-state)
Student Population	5,354 (4,554 Undergraduate)
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61Western Washington University 85.87

Western Washington University is a public, 4 or more years school located in Bellingham, WA with total 16,121 students.

Highest Degree	Post-master's certificate
SAT Scores	1,180
Acceptance Rate	87.66%
Tuition & Fees	$8,343 (in-state) / $24,690 (out-of-state)
Student Population	16,121 (15,170 Undergraduate)
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71Washington State University 85.83

Washington State University is a public, 4 or more years school located in Pullman, WA with total 31,478 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,115
Acceptance Rate	77.19%
Tuition & Fees	$11,841 (in-state) / $26,419 (out-of-state)
Student Population	31,478 (26,098 Undergraduate)
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81Seattle University 85.82

Seattle University is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Seattle, WA with total 7,291 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,225
Acceptance Rate	75.65%
Tuition & Fees	$46,590
Student Population	7,291 (4,685 Undergraduate)
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9Northwest University 85.75

Northwest University is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Kirkland, WA with total 1,321 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,128
Acceptance Rate	95.21%
Tuition & Fees	$32,960
Student Population	1,321 (975 Undergraduate)
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101Seattle Pacific University 85.24

Seattle Pacific University is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Seattle, WA with total 3,688 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,135
Acceptance Rate	90.08%
Tuition & Fees	$45,078
Student Population	3,688 (2,876 Undergraduate)
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Best Colleges in Washington (2019-2020) Comparison

Rank	Name	Acceptance Rate	Undergraduate Tuition & Fees	Graduate Tuition & Fees	SAT Scores	Population	Student : Faculty
1	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA	48.69%	$38,166 ($11,465)	$33,534 ($19,293)	1,340	47,400	19 to 1
2	Whitman College Walla Walla, WA	50.15%	$53,820	-	1,340	1,475	9 to 1
3	Gonzaga University Spokane, WA	65.62%	$45,140	$17,096	1,270	7,563	11 to 1
4	University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, WA	79.35%	$38,091 ($11,390)	$33,459 ($19,218)	1,140	5,970	20 to 1
5 1	University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WA	85.56%	$38,340 ($11,639)	$33,708 ($19,467)	1,085	5,354	16 to 1
6 1	Western Washington University Bellingham, WA	87.66%	$24,690 ($8,343)	$22,562 ($11,438)	1,180	16,121	18 to 1
7 1	Washington State University Pullman, WA	77.19%	$26,419 ($11,841)	$26,850 ($13,095)	1,115	31,478	15 to 1
8 1	Seattle University Seattle, WA	75.65%	$46,590	$20,105	1,225	7,291	11 to 1
9	Northwest University Kirkland, WA	95.21%	$32,960	$19,453	1,128	1,321	12 to 1
10 1	Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WA	90.08%	$45,078	$30,636	1,135	3,688	13 to 1