Best Colleges in Washington
Named after the first president of the United States, the State of Washington is located in the Pacific Northwest region. There are two distinct sections in The Evergreen State: the West side and the East side, also sometimes known as the Wet side and the Dry side. The colleges in Washington are scattered throughout the state, but there are a high concentration around the Puget Sound, an estuary leading to the Pacific Ocean. The oldest college in the state is the University of Washington, which is also the most selective. Aerospace, agriculture and food manufacturing, clean technology, and forestry are top industries in Washington. Main attractions include the Olympic National Park, Mount Ranier, and the Space Needle.
How Were the Top Schools in Washington Chosen?
Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.
Explore the Best Universities in Washington with Appily!
Create a Appily account to start saving schools to your personal list. Wondering where you stand when applying to the best universities in the USA? You can also see your chances of acceptance and get insights into your target, reach, and likely schools.
An education from Whitman College is special.
As a small residential liberal arts college in Walla Walla, Washington, Whitman is rooted in the traditional liberal arts values like critical thought and academic rigor. But at our foundation is also a...
Whitman is well known for its rigorous academics. To start with all freshmen must take an encounters course, which includes the study of texts most people would not have studied in high school (including The Qur'an or The Odyssey). This alone makes...
” – Geneva
The University of Washington is a selective institution located in Seattle, WA, with two satellite campuses in Bothell and Tacoma. At this Public Ivy, sustainability is a major focus and the school has made The Princeton Review Green College Honor...
If you can get past the large number of students in your lower-level classes, learning will not be a problem. Professors, TAs and study centers are generally very kind and willing to help you out. If you seek help, you will get it.
” – Madeline from Seattle, WA
Gonzaga University is a Roman Catholic university in eastern Washington state and a member of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. Gonzaga offers 15 undergraduate degrees featuring 52 majors. As a Catholic institution, Gonzaga...
I transferred for University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho to go to a more demanding school like Gonzaga University. Gonzaga thrives off of the success of it's students. The teachers care and although this school requires a lot of work, the fulfillment...
” – Arlene from Vancouver, WA
Walla Walla University is a private institution founded in 1892 and is founded on Christian teachings and values of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Walla Walla is rated as having a “selective” admissions process and orchestrates an honors program...
Great atmosphere, lots of friendliness to go around. Beautiful campus, even if they have weird weather. Great academics, however much people like to complain. Homework is required at all colleges.
” – Sara from Dallas, OR
Seattle University is a member of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and the largest independent university in the Northwest. SU consists of eight colleges and schools conferring undergraduate degrees in over 120 academic majors and...
Excellent Academics. My first year here helped me to grow a great deal intellectually, personally, and spiritually. The core (required classes for all undergrads) may seem too extensive but, believe me, they truly do help to create in you a balanced...
” – Kevin from Lacey, WA
PLU is the small, private university where caring means more than kindness and consideration - it means a bold commitment to expanding well-being, opportunity, and justice. Our students aren’t afraid to do things differently to leave the world better...
The programs are rigorous, but wonderfully small and provide many resources for help and additional learning. The homework and reading are heavy, and going the extra mile in your studies pays off.
” – Tiffany from Buckley, WA
Founded in 1888, the University of Puget Sound is a 4-year liberal arts college in the Seattle metro area. UPS awards bachelor’s degrees in over 50 traditional and interdisciplinary fields of study and a number of programs feature experiential...
In my Freshman year I learned the hard way that High School study habits don't make the cut here and I am better for it. UPS makes you work hard for what you want to achieve, but the professors also know how to make it interesting. I was worried that...
” – Jessica from Graham, WA
The University of Washington Bothell is a 4-year public school in the Seattle metro area and part of the University of Washington System. UW Bothell is home to five schools hosting 55 undergrad and graduate degree-granting programs. As a student at...
University of Washington (Seattle) has an excellent reputation of education, so I am very pleased to know that many of the same professors also teach at the Bothell Campus. I feel like it will be a more personal experience.
” – Maggie from Ridgefield, WA
Founded in 1891 by the Free Methodist Church of North America, Seattle Pacific University is a 4-year Christian university in Seattle. With a campus nestled in the north slope of Queen Anne Hill, SPU awards undergrad degrees in 69 academic majors. In...
Seattle Pacific University is a small school, but the educational quality is wonderful. The professors teach every class themselves, and they are all always ready to meet and talk about your education. Furthermore, the professors themselves are...
” – Benjamin from Wilsonville, OR
Western Washington University is a public institution located in the coastal city of Bellingham. WWU offers more than 160 academic programs on the campus, which is surrounding by 6 miles of trails for students to explore. The university was named a...
WWU’s faculty can be characterized as innovative, challenging, and accommodating. Most every classroom is equipped with the technology to allow for multi-media presentations, so you will never have a talking head professor. The professors try to...
” – Patricia from Brush Prairie, WA
Founded in 1890, Washington State University is the state's first land-grant university. Washington State University offers more than 200 fields of study, including 96 undergraduate majors, 86 minors, and more than 140 graduate and professional...
The Professors at WSU are thorough in their teaching but sometimes lack the patience for slower students. The curriculum while tough is also very educational and I have found it to be rather enjoyable.
” – John from Clarkston, WA
Whitworth University is a nationally ranked, private Christian liberal arts university in Spokane, Wash. Founded in 1890, Whitworth enrolls over 2,300 undergraduate students and offers more than 100 majors and programs between its College of Arts &...
Whitworth believes strongly in an education of mind and heart and this is obvious through all of the professors. Class sizes are fairly small, allowing lots of interaction between students and professors. The material is challenging, but there is...
” – JD from Livingston, MT
The University of Washington-Tacoma Campus is a public institution located in Tacoma and part of the University of Washington system. The school requires that all students complete a Core Program that consists of courses in writing, social issue...
I am excited to attend UW Tacoma because I have heard exceptional recommendations about the science faculty which is the program that I am majoring in. The professors require you to work hard and apply yourself and if you want a good grade you can't...
” – Rosie from Tacoma, WA
Earn a degree from Moody Aviation, a world leader in missionary aviation training since 1946. As an institution dedicated to mission aviation training, Moody Aviation offers a Missionary Aviation Technology program, where you choose to specialize in...
Saint Martin’s University is an independent coeducational university, with undergraduate and graduate offerings, located on a wooded campus of more than 300 acres in Lacey, Washington. Established in 1895 by the Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, the...
Saint Martin's University is a special school in many ways. First it is a private university and that is wonderful because the classes are made up of 15 students or less. It allows one to get the help they need and also create long lasting...
” – Lyubov from Olympia, WA
Situated on a 300-acre campus in Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a 4-year institution that’s been an accredited 4-year-degree-conferring entity long before it took its current name in 1977. Since opening its doors in 1882, EWU has grown to...
I am learning a lot it especially in the history class I took in the spring. My professor was had a lot on knowledge about the subject and he enjoyed teaching.
” – Latisha from Marysville, WA
Originally founded in 1891 as the Washington State Normal School, Central Washington University is a 4-year public institution. Central Washington is home to six colleges and schools offering undergraduate degrees in over 135 academic majors as well...
The profs here are truly amazing and very understandable. They are very approachable and ready to help you study and learn. Also a wide variety of classes and foriegn languages you can choose from so make sure to keep an open mind!
” – Katherina from Tacoma, WA
Northwest University is a private, Christ-centered institution established in Kirkland, Washington. Full-time undergraduate students and faculty at Northwest are required to attend chapel three times weekly in order to earn spiritual life credit each...
The curriculum is amazing! The profs are amazing as well they challenge your studies!
” – Teresa from Grandview, WA
Founded in 1914, Cornish College of the Arts is a school of the fine and performing arts in Seattle. Cornish grants undergraduate fine arts degrees in eight subjects such as Music, Film, and Design and all degrees include core classes in the...
I'm a performance production major, with an emphasis on lighting design and stage management. I have known several people from my school who have gone there and graduated, and they have all said it's a fabulous school. There are a limited number of...
” – Dudley from West Linn, OR
With campus along the shores of Puget Sound, The Evergreen State College is a public liberal arts institution in Washington’s state capital of Olympia. Evergreen offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees without formal majors and...
The Evergreen State College has a variety of fun, unique, and engaging classes. As a freshman, I have only enrolled in one course for the entire year. This class, however, has really opened my eyes to many possibilities and I have learned more in a...
”