Updated at: 25-03-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

In addition to producing more apples, cherries, and hops than any other state, Washington is a national leader because of its many successful businesses and agricultural products. Washington also leads the nation in the number of colleges it establishes. The state is home to prestigious educational institutions, including the University of Washington and the Jesuit university Gonzaga, both of which are nationally recognized. Seattle, the city with the highest percentage of college graduates, is located in the state of Washington.

The top universities in Washington state ensure the state’s continued prominence in the world of higher learning.

Best Universities In Washington

Best universities in washington

University of Washington

University of Washington – Seattle

The University of Washington was established in 1861, making it one of the west coast’s longest continuously operating educational institutions. In terms of federal research funding, it is far and away the leader among public universities in the state. The University of Washington is unique among public universities on this list due to its extremely competitive admissions process and high graduation rate. Technical, business, legal, medical, dental, and even international studies programs are all available at the Seattle-based university’s 18 individual schools. About 12,000 undergraduates, graduate students, and doctoral candidates receive degrees from the University of Washington each year. Over a thousand student-run clubs and organizations call the university home, from the specialized Bagel Club for bagel enthusiasts to club sports like basketball, sand volleyball, and water polo.

Seattle University

Seattle University, located in the city’s Flint Hill neighborhood, is a private, Jesuit Catholic institution. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are tenets upon which the institution is built. There are about 7,200 students there, and nearly half of them come from different cultural backgrounds. The International Student Center, Lavender Celebration, which honors the accomplishments of the school’s LGBTQIA students, and Moral Mondays are all part of the school’s commitment to diversity. Seattle University students are three times more likely to volunteer than the average college student in the United States. In its eight colleges and schools, the university provides 120 degree and certificate programs in fields like nursing, theology, law, education, and business.

Seattle Pacific University

Seattle Pacific University is a private, medium-sized institution that was established in 1891 by Free Methodists with the goal of educating future international missionaries. The Christian university’s 3,600 undergraduate and graduate students can now choose from a wide variety of academic programs. According to enrollment data, the fields of business administration, psychology, nursing, computer science, and communication are the most popular among undergraduate students. Keeping with its historical mission, the university continues to stress the importance of international experience and education. Holocaust Studies in Prague, Cross-Cultural Psychology in Seoul, South Korea, and Coral Reef Restoration in Bali, Indonesia are just a few of the study abroad programs offered by Seattle Pacific University faculty. Countries like Jordan, Lithuania, Ecuador, and China all offer semester-long study abroad programs.

Pacific Lutheran University

Pacific Lutheran University

In 1890, a group of Norwegian Lutheran settlers established what is now Pacific Lutheran University. Only about 10% of the school’s 3,000 students identify as Lutheran, but the school’s core values of caring for others and seeking justice for all remain unchanged. The university provides education at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Available degrees include a BA in Criminal Justice; a BA in Gender, Sexuality, and Race Studies; and an MBA. Both the military and their spouses are welcome at Pacific Lutheran University, which has earned the designation of “Military Friendly” A private study area, work-study opportunities, and a Student Veterans Association are just some of the resources available on campus through the Center for Military Student Support.

Whitman College

Originally established in 1859 as Whitman Seminary, the university now proudly proclaims its secular and politically neutral status. Engineering, Forestry/Environmental Management, and Oceanography are all 3-2 programs at Whitman. As part of these tracks, the college collaborates with another institution so that students can earn two degrees in five years.

Gonzaga University

Gonzaga University is not only considered to be among the best universities in Washington, but also among the most prestigious Jesuit universities in the United States. In 1887, Father Joseph Cataldo used 936 silver coins to buy land for the future campus of the college. Despite its Catholic heritage, the college is home to members of 27 different faiths. Its men’s basketball team gets all the attention, but Gonzaga’s undefeated football team dates back to 1941. (Of course, the football team hasn’t won either; it was discontinued during WWII due to a lack of available men to play, and it was never reinstated.)

University of Puget Sound

University of Puget Sound

Methodist ministers laid the groundwork for what is now the University of Puget Sound, a private, liberal arts institution. While the University of Puget Sound still has ties to the Methodist Church, the campus actively promotes diversity. The school has a four-star rating on the Campus Pride Index, it welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds, and nearly a quarter of its undergraduates identify as students of color. More than 75% of undergraduates at the University of Puget Sound engage in community service during their time there.

Whitworth University

Whitworth University is a private, Presbyterian-affiliated liberal arts college that has been educating students since 1890. Whitworth has a low student-to-teacher ratio of 11 to 1, and first- and second-year students are required to live on campus. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color make up 31% of the undergraduate student body, and international students account for just under 5% of the total. There are people here representing 33 different states and 40 different countries.

Washington State University

Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, is a highly regarded public institution of higher education. The school has a large undergraduate population, with 22,315 students enrolled. The acceptance rate in the state of Washington is around 80%, so getting in may be difficult. Many students opt to study fields like psychology, social science research methods, and nursing. 59% of Washington State University students graduate, and those who do have an average starting salary of $40,600.

DigiPen Institute of Technology

The Seattle area is home to DigiPen, a better-than-average for-profit university in Redmond. There are only 979 undergraduates enrolled, making it a relatively small school. With a 38% acceptance rate, competition for a spot at DigiPen is high. Human-computer interaction, computer animation, video graphics and special effects, and computer programming are all highly sought-after degrees. DigiPen has a 53% graduation rate, and its alums can expect an average salary of $50,400 upon graduation.

Central Washington University

Central Washington University

Central Washington University is a state university with a campus in Ellensburg. It’s a reasonably sized school, with 9,235 undergraduates. The acceptance rate at Central Washington University is 86%. Business, Psychology, and Elementary Education are all highly sought-after fields of study. Those who complete their studies at Central Washington University can expect an average starting salary of $36,900.

Western Washington University 

Students at Western Washington University can expect to receive a top-notch education at a reasonable cost. The Western Washington University has in-state tuition of $7,143 (or approximately INR 531,367.77) and out-of-state tuition of $19,495 (or approximately INR 1,450,233.05). It is estimated that 60% of students who enroll here receive some form of financial aid to cover the costs of attendance, including grants, scholarships, student jobs, and/or loans.

College of the Evergreens

Olympia, United States is home to Evergreen State University, which QS ranks as the 808th best university in the world. This institution is a private research university. In addition, there are 11 students for every teacher. Scholarships are available at this institution. This institution has an international student body of 702, and its faculty numbers 601. The variety of courses offered at Evergreen State University is one of the main draws for prospective students.

Saint Martin’s University

In 1895, Benedictine principles served as the inspiration for what would become Saint Martin’s University. Lacey, Washington is the site of this Christian-based private school. The university offers 29 different majors. Prospective students can anticipate a curriculum grounded in research that extends beyond employment outcomes and provides study abroad options in more than 20 countries.

Catholic University of America

Catholic University of America is another excellent institution located in the nation’s capital. In addition to being one of the most recognizable names in education, it also attracts a large number of prospective students every year.

Only the Catholic University of America can claim to have been established by Catholic bishops in the United States. The institution’s undergraduate program began in 1904, and since then, it has made important contributions to the field of study. The university is proud of its continued ties to the Catholic church despite the secularization of society.

Howard University

Having a few potential host universities in mind is a smart move when studying abroad. And among the best options in DC, Howard University should be near the top of your list.

Howard University is a prestigious private research university that focuses on eliminating social inequalities by studying them and creating opportunities for marginalized groups like the Black community. As a result, the school’s student body and faculty are overwhelmingly Black; notable graduates include Kamala Harris, Thurgood Marshall, and Chadwick Boseman. This prestigious school welcomes people of all races and genders to its more than a hundred available academic majors.

Gallaudet University

When deciding on a host institution, it’s important to weigh not only academic and research quality, but also extracurricular offerings, leadership potential, and professional development options. For these and other reasons, Gallaudet University ranks highly among DC’s educational institutions.

The students at Gallaudet University are deaf or hard of hearing. From its humble beginnings as a primary school for the deaf and hard of hearing, it has grown into the world’s first and only university for those with hearing loss. Although the school primarily caters to students who are deaf or hard of hearing, it does admit a small number of hearing students into its undergraduate programs. In addition to English, Gallaudet also supports American Sign Language.

The Institute of World Politics

The Institute of World Politics is a graduate school in Washington, DC that focuses on training the political and international leaders of tomorrow. Its goal is to help students see the world from multiple vantage points, recognize opportunities and risks, and act morally and ethically. Experts in academia and politics teach their students based on their extensive knowledge and practice.

FAQs

What Are the Best Universities in Washington?

Gonzaga University, the University of Washington, the University of Puget Sound, and Whitworth University are some of the finest educational institutions in the state of Washington. Because of their high graduation rates, ample student resources, and innovative experiential learning programs, these Washington institutions rank among the state’s best.

Seattle University, Pacific Lutheran University, and Washington State University are just a few of Washington’s other excellent educational institutions. The education and professional prospects provided by these institutions are also excellent. Universities that are highly ranked by US News & World Report tend to be those that provide cutting-edge, research-based degree programs.

What Are the Biggest Universities in Washington?

The University of Washington, Washington State University, Western Washington University, Gonzaga University, and Central Washington University are the most prestigious educational institutions in the state of Washington. These schools have more to offer than just a larger student body and more opportunities for socialization. There are academic and professional advantages to attending a large university.

Larger classes, more student organizations and clubs, a more even student-faculty ratio, a broader range of programs, lower tuition rates, more athletic teams, and more networking opportunities are just some of the benefits of attending a large university in Washington.

Is Washington expensive to live in?

Living costs are relatively low in Washington state. Visitors and residents can still manage their finances in Washington despite the state’s higher cost of living compared to others. Staying on campus rather than off it is a great way to save money if you plan on attending college in this state. You can get financial aid from the state in many different forms.