2025 Best Colleges in Washington State

Academic Highlights: 180+ undergraduate majors are offered across twelve colleges/schools. Twenty-six percent of sections contain 50 or more students compared to 29% of sections that contain fewer than 20. Still, there are opportunities for personal connections with professors as evidenced by the fact that 80% of graduates complete research during their four years at UW. The study abroad rate of participation has climbed steadily since the turn of the millennium; 3,000 students each year spend a semester in a foreign locale.

Professional Outcomes: Within months of graduation, 62% of Class of 2023 grads were employed and 24% were continuing their education. The most popular employers of the Class of 2023 included Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, Seattle Children’s, and Deloitte. Across all living alumni, 6,000+ work for Microsoft, and 4000+ work for each of Boeing and Amazon. Of those headed to graduate/professional school, most remain at UW itself. Large numbers of 2023 grads also headed to Columbia, UPenn, USC, and Johns Hopkins.

Academic Highlights: With 50+ majors, the academic offerings at Whitman are robust. Whitman boasts a beautifully low 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and hosts zero graduate students, a recipe for individualized attention. Undergraduate research is so embedded into the foundation of a Whitman education that the college hosts an annual Undergraduate Conference for students to present their work. Nearly 40% of students study abroad in one of 80+ programs in 40 countries around the globe.

Professional Outcomes: After graduation, 64% of Whitman grads immediately begin their careers and 20% enroll directly in graduate programs. Twenty or more alumni currently work for Microsoft, Amazon, Seattle Children’s, Boeing, and Kaiser Permanente. Early career median earnings are $71,100, while Whitman grads earn a median income of $138,500 midway through their career. Ultimately, 60% of alumni go on to earn advanced degrees at some point post-graduation.

Academic Highlights: An enviable 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio leads to an average class size of 21 students, and the school rates well in surveys of undergraduate instructional quality. Less than 1% of course sections enroll more than 50 students. The Center for Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry was launched last decade to facilitate an increased number of student-faculty collaborations. Opportunities for research exist not only in the natural sciences but also in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Sixty-three percent of Zags choose to study abroad during their college experience, including at the university’s flagship program in Florence, Italy.

Professional Outcomes: The 2023 cohort enjoyed a 94% success rate. Seventy-seven percent of those surveyed found full-time employment within six months, with a large number of grads getting hired by Providence Health & Services (40), Deloitte (16), and Boeing (9). The average starting salary for 2023 grads was $65,140. Of the 16% of 2023 grads who entered a graduate/professional degree program, the most popular institutions were Gonzaga (93), the University of Washington (14), Eastern Washington University (5), and Seattle University (3).

Academic Highlights: As the only independent undergraduate liberal arts college in Western Washington, the University of Puget Sound offers a distinctive combination of academic excellence and vibrant campus culture through its 50+ areas of study. With an exceptional 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students benefit from personalized attention in a globally-connected environment—the college ranks among the top 10 Peace Corps volunteer producers and offers 100+ study abroad programs across 40+ countries. This dynamic learning community brings together students from 44 states and 8 countries, creating a rich intellectual environment that extends far beyond the Pacific Northwest.

Professional Outcomes: Puget Sound graduates achieve an 86% success rate, with 69% employed and 16% pursuing advanced degrees at institutions like Cornell, UC Berkeley, and Washington State University. Alumni make their mark at prominent organizations, including Apple, Sony, and the Seattle Seahawks, while many choose to contribute to the regional economy in the Greater Seattle area. These outcomes demonstrate how Puget Sound’s rigorous liberal arts education prepares graduates for both immediate career success and long-term professional achievement across diverse fields.

Academic Highlights: Seattle University delivers a personalized Jesuit education through its 65 undergraduate programs across six schools and colleges. With an exceptional 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and average class size of 18, students benefit from close mentorship, with 100% of courses taught by faculty (no teaching assistants). The university emphasizes global engagement, sending 400+ students abroad annually, while maintaining its commitment to values-driven learning that combines academic rigor with ethical reflection.

Professional Outcomes: Seattle University graduates achieve outstanding results, with 97% securing employment or graduate school placement shortly after commencement. Alumni excel at Washington’s top employers, including Microsoft, Amazon, and Boeing, while SU boasts the highest mid-career salaries among the state’s university graduates. The university’s strong regional network is evident as 64% of alumni remain in Washington, 61% specifically in the Puget Sound area—demonstrating SU’s pivotal role in developing the region’s professional workforce.

Academic Highlights: Washington State University offers students exceptional academic flexibility with 103 majors and 71 minors, all supported by an outstanding 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio. This commitment to personalized education is reflected in class sizes, where 35% of courses maintain an intimate learning environment with 19 or fewer students, nearly double the number of large lectures (19% with 50+ students). Undergraduates can engage in meaningful research through the Research Scholars program starting as early as freshman year, while global opportunities abound with study abroad programs in 70 countries. WSU’s academic excellence is further validated by its faculty, which includes some of the world’s most influential researchers (top 1% of most-cited scholars).

Professional Outcomes: WSU graduates launch impressive careers with leading employers, including Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, along with regional powerhouses like Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories and Starbucks. The university’s career outcomes shine particularly bright in the long term, with alumni reaching an average mid-career salary of $124,000—a testament to the strong return on investment from a WSU degree.

Academic Highlights: Seattle Pacific University stands as a top-ranked Christian liberal arts institution, offering students 52 majors and 64 minors within a transformative faith-based learning environment. With an exceptional 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 83% of classes under 30 students, SPU fosters close mentorship across its diverse community, which represents 21 states and 39 countries. The university’s commitment to undergraduate research shines through the annual Erickson Undergraduate Research Conference, while its urban Seattle location provides unparalleled access to professional opportunities in one of America’s most dynamic cities.

Professional Outcomes: SPU graduates achieve outstanding career preparation, with 89% employed or in graduate school and 81% completing valuable internships. The university’s strong Seattle connections are evident as alumni intern in all 17 local Fortune 500 companies, including industry leaders like Microsoft, Amazon, and Boeing. Graduates benefit from SPU’s innovative Mentor Program, which connects students with professional guides, and most build their careers in the Greater Seattle area. These outcomes demonstrate how SPU’s combination of Christian values, academic rigor, and urban professional networks prepares graduates to excel in competitive markets.

Academic Highlights: Whitworth University delivers a transformative Christian liberal arts education through 100+ majors and programs, combining rigorous intellectual inquiry with spiritual formation under the mentorship of dedicated Christian scholars. With an exceptional 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and most classes under 20 students, Whitworth fosters close academic relationships within a globally diverse community representing 31 states and 44 countries. The university enhances its faith-based curriculum with study abroad opportunities in 60+ nations, preparing graduates to engage thoughtfully with complex global challenges.

Professional Outcomes: Whitworth graduates achieve excellent career outcomes, with 89% employed or pursuing advanced degrees shortly after graduation. Alumni make meaningful contributions at leading Northwest employers, including Providence Health & Services, Moss Adams, and Mead School District. These results demonstrate how Whitworth’s distinctive integration of academic excellence, Christian values, and global perspectives develops professionals who excel in their vocations while serving as ethical leaders in their workplaces and communities.

Academic Highlights: UW-Tacoma delivers a University of Washington-caliber education through intimate learning experiences, featuring a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio with 65% of classes having fewer than 30 students, creating ideal conditions for mentorship and collaborative research. Students choose from 50+ undergraduate majors, all taught exclusively by faculty (no teaching assistants), while gaining a global perspective through study abroad programs. The campus’s signature emphasis on community-connected learning ensures graduates develop both academic excellence and practical problem-solving skills.

Professional Outcomes: UW-Tacoma graduates achieve strong career outcomes, with median earnings of $78,466. Alumni are particularly prominent in the Greater Seattle area’s thriving job market, with top employers including Amazon, Boeing, MultiCare Health System, and Washington State agencies. Many graduates choose to remain with UW Tacoma itself, contributing to the campus’s academic mission while applying their UW-quality education to regional challenges.

Academic Highlights: As Washington’s third-largest public university, WWU offers students comprehensive academic choice with 200+ programs across seven colleges, all with the benefit of direct faculty instruction (99% of classes taught by professors). The university’s 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio and average class size of 26 create an accessible yet personalized learning environment. WWU enhances traditional coursework with robust undergraduate research opportunities, highlighted by the annual Scholars Week, where students showcase their work, blending theoretical knowledge with hands-on application.

Professional Outcomes: WWU graduates strengthen Washington’s workforce, with many building careers in the Greater Seattle area at employers like Boeing and Costco. Others contribute to local communities through positions with Bellingham Schools and Safeway. Alumni earn competitive average starting wages of $40,000, with some continuing their education at institutions like the University of Washington. These outcomes demonstrate how WWU successfully combines the resources of a major public university with undergraduate-focused opportunities to prepare graduates for both immediate career success and advanced study.