Washington Colleges, Universities And Trade Schools

- Total Colleges: 123
- Total Medical Schools: 3
- Total Colleges With Tenure: 0
- Colleges By Highest Degree Offered
- Associate's: 36
- Bachelor's Degree: 19
- Master's Degree: 16
- Doctor's Degree: 15
- Total Faculty: 61,325
- Total Full Time Faculty: 44,640
- Total Part Time Faculty: 16,685
- Total Students: 394,793
- Total Full Time Students: 260,062
- Total Part Time Students: 134,731
- Total Undergraduate Students: 358,593
- Total Graduate Students: 36,200
Student Race Breakdown

Student Gender Breakdown

Student Age Breakdown

The state of Washington is home to a large number of public and private post-secondary and graduate institutions. Many of the larger institutions are found in urban centers, with smaller colleges and universities located throughout the state. The capital of the state is Olympia. The state’s largest cities are Seattle, Spokane and Tacoma. Washington is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Oregon to the South, Idaho to the east, and British Columbia to the North. It is the 13th largest state by population, and is home to one of the oldest universities on the west coast.
There is no formal state university system in the state of Washington. Eight public colleges and universities are funded by the state with two having branch campuses in other cities in the state. The University of Washington is the largest University in the Pacific Northwest and carries the designation of Public Ivy, which identifies it as being on par in terms of educational quality with private Ivy League schools. The school has two branch campuses with a third one proposed and in consideration.
University of Washington campuses:
- University of Washington, Seattle (Seattle, Main Campus)
- University of Washington Bothell (Bothell)
- University of Washington, Tacoma (Tacoma)
- University of Washington North Sound (Proposed)
Washington State University was founded in 1890 in Pullman, Washington. The school is comprised of four campuses and is known for a variety of programs including chemical engineering, agriculture, and food science. The school is considered among the most active research institutions in the United States, and is ranked in the top ten schools in the country for clean technology. The school is the oldest in the area, having been established five month after Washington became a state.
WSU campuses:
- Washington State University, Pullman (Pullman)
- Washington State University, Tri-Cities (Richland)
- Washington State University, Vancouver (Vancouver)
- Washington State University, Spokane (Spokane)
In addition to the above two schools, the state funds six more four year institutions. These schools, though not as large nor as renowned as the above, provide quality education to residents of the state as well as out of state and foreign students.
Public four year institutions:
- Peninsula College (Port Angeles)
- Central Washington University (Ellensburg)
- Eastern Washington University (Cheney)
- The Evergreen State College (Olympia)
- Western Washington University (Bellingham)
- Bellevue College (Bellevue)
Washington State has a large number of private colleges and universities. A large number of these schools provide a liberal arts education, which in turn provides students with a well rounded curriculum that develops skills for graduate education and/or the workplace. Other schools may provide specialized education, such as an art school or faith based college. Private institutions tend to have higher tuition costs and lower student populations. This in turn results in better student to teacher ratios than public institutions. Additionally, private schools tend to have more educational opportunities, such as research positions, study abroad programs, and internships.
Private institutions in Washington state include:
- Walla Walla University (College Place)
- Antioch University (Seattle)
- DigiPen Institute of Technology (Redmond)
- Whitman College (Walla Walla)
- The Art Institute of Seattle (Seattle)
The State of Washington is also home to a number of community colleges and private career and technical schools. Community colleges are publically funded two year institutions that provide vocational training for entry into the work force upon graduations and transfer opportunities for students wishing to enter a four year institution. Students wishing to transfer will complete their freshman and sophomore years at the community college. Career schools provide short term training programs for high demand fields, often assisting students with job placement upon completion. These schools tend to have a higher cost that community colleges, but are specialized in their areas of study and typically take less than a year to complete.
Listings of Colleges in Washington
4-Year Colleges and Universities
The table below lists 4-year colleges and universities in Washington, including both public and private schools.
| School Name | Tuition | Size | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bainbridge Graduate Institute Bainbridge Island, WA 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Bakke Graduate University (BGU) Seattle, WA 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Bastyr University Kenmore, WA 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | - | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Bellevue Community College (BCC, Bellevue College) Bellevue, WA 4 Year Public | $3,392 | 10,000 to 19,999 | |
| Central Washington University (CWU) Ellensburg, WA 4 Year Public | $7,827 | 10,000 to 19,999 | |
| City University of Seattle (CityU) Bellevue, WA 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $15,280 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Columbia Basin College (CBC) Pasco, WA 4 Year Public | $3,828 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Cornish College of the Arts Seattle, WA 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $30,880 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Digipen Institute of Technology (DIT, Digipen) Redmond, WA 4 Year Private (For-Profit) | $25,160 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) Cheney, WA 4 Year Public | $7,240 | 10,000 to 19,999 | |
| Faith Evangelical College & Seminary Tacoma, WA 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $7,560 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Gonzaga University (GU) Spokane, WA 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $32,222 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Heritage University Toppenish, WA 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $15,550 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| ITT Technical Institute - Spokane Valley Spokane Valley, WA 4 Year Private (For-Profit) | $18,048 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWIT) Kirkland, WA 4 Year Public | $3,461 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Northwest College of Art (NCA) Poulsbo, WA 4 Year Private (For-Profit) | $19,000 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Northwest Indian College Bellingham, WA 4 Year Public | $3,720 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Northwest University Kirkland, WA 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $23,400 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Olympic College Bremerton, WA 4 Year Public | $3,297 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) Tacoma, WA 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $30,950 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences Yakima, WA 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Peninsula College Port Angeles, WA 4 Year Public | $3,678 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Saint Martin's University Lacey, WA 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $27,897 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Seattle Community College - Central Campus (Seattle Central, Sea Central) Seattle, WA 4 Year Public | $3,493 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Seattle Community College - South Campus (Seattle South, South Seattle) Seattle, WA 4 Year Public | $3,427 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine (SIOM) Seattle, WA 4 Year Private (For-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Seattle Pacific University (SPU) Seattle, WA 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $30,339 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Seattle University (Seattle U.) Seattle, WA 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $32,700 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| The Art Institute of Seattle Seattle, WA 4 Year Private (For-Profit) | $17,760 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| The Evergreen State College (Evergreen, TESC) Olympia, WA 4 Year Public | $7,486 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology (The Seattle School) Seattle, WA 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Trinity Lutheran College Everett, WA 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $22,260 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $38,720 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| University of Washington - Seattle Campus (UW-Seattle, UDub) Seattle, WA 4 Year Public | $10,574 | More Than 20,000 | |
| Walla Walla University College Place, WA 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $23,898 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Washington State University (WSU) Pullman, WA 4 Year Public | $10,799 | More Than 20,000 | |
| Western Washington University Bellingham, WA 4 Year Public | $7,756 | 10,000 to 19,999 | |
| Whitman College Walla Walla, WA 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $40,496 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Whitworth University Spokane, WA 4 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $32,144 | 1,000 to 4,999 |
Community Colleges
The table below lists 2-year public colleges and community colleges in Washington. Many of these colleges have an open policy for admitting new students.
| School Name | Tuition | Size | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bates Technical College Tacoma, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $5,780 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Bellingham Technical College Bellingham, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $4,224 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Big Bend Community College Moses Lake, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,585 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Cascadia Community College Bothell, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,606 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Centralia College Centralia, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,644 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Clark College Vancouver, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,559 | 10,000 to 19,999 | |
| Clover Park Technical College (CPTC, Clover Pk) Lakewood, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $4,793 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Edmonds Community College (Edmonds CC, EDCC) Lynnwood, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,997 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Everett Community College (EvCC, Everett) Everett, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,556 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Grays Harbor College (GHC) Aberdeen, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,484 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Green River Community College (GRCC, Green River) Auburn, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,593 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Highline Community College (HCC, Highline) Des Moines, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,542 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Lower Columbia College (LCC) Longview, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,814 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| North Seattle Community College (NSCC, Northgate State) Seattle, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,465 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Pierce College District 11 Lakewood, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,797 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Renton Technical College (RTC) Renton, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $5,303 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Shoreline Community College (SCC, Shoreline) Shoreline, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,612 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Skagit Valley College (SVC, Skagit) Mount Vernon, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,600 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) Olympia, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,585 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Spokane Community College (SCC) Spokane, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,122 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC) Spokane, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,122 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Tacoma Community College (TCC) Tacoma, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,350 | 5,000 to 9,999 | |
| Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) Walla Walla, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,527 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Wenatchee Valley College (WVC, Wenatchee Community College) Wenatchee, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,337 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Whatcom Community College (WCC) Bellingham, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,630 | 1,000 to 4,999 | |
| Yakima Valley Community College (YVCC, YVC) Yakima, WA 2 Year (Community College) | $3,850 | 1,000 to 4,999 |
Career Colleges
The table below lists career and trade schools in Washington. These include both public and private institutions.
| School Name | Tuition | Size | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academy of Cosmetology Richland, WA 2 Year Private (For-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Academy of Hair Design Wenatchee, WA 2 Year Private (For-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Bellingham Beauty School Bellingham, WA 2 Year Private (For-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Bj's Beauty & Barber College Tacoma, WA 2 Year Private (For-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Cascade Beauty College Auburn, WA 2 Year Private (For-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Cortiva Institute - Seattle Seattle, WA Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Divers Institute of Technology Seattle, WA Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Emil Fries Piano Hospital and Training Center Vancouver, WA 2 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $14,500 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Everest College - Bremerton Bremerton, WA 2 Year Private (For-Profit) | $11,788 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Everest College - Renton Renton, WA Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Everest College - Seattle Seattle, WA Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Evergreen Beauty & Barber College-Bellevue Bellevue, WA 2 Year Private (For-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Evergreen Beauty & Barber College-Everett Everett, WA 2 Year Private (For-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Gary Manuel Aveda Institute (GMAI) Seattle, WA Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Gene Juarez Academy of Beauty (Gene Juarez Academy) Seattle, WA Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Glen Dow Academy of Hair Design Spokane, WA 2 Year Private (For-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Inland Massage Institute Spokane, WA Career College (Private <2 Year) | $8,875 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Interface College - Spokane Spokane, WA 2 Year Private (For-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| International Air and Hospitality Academy Vancouver, WA Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Lucas Marc Academy (Lucas Marc Academy) Richland, WA 2 Year Private (For-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Northwest Hair Academy Mount Vernon, WA Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Northwest Hvac - R Training Center Spokane, WA Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building Port Hadlock, WA 2 Year Private (Non-Profit) | $13,050 | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Paroba College Everett, WA Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Perry Technical Institute Yakima, WA 2 Year Private (Non-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Professional Beauty School Yakima, WA Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Stylemaster College of Hair Design Longview, WA Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Sunnyside Beauty Academy Sunnyside, WA Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| The Salon Professional Academy-Tacoma (TSPA Tacoma) Tacoma, WA 2 Year Private (For-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy-Shoreline Shoreline, WA Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Total Cosmetology Training Center Spokane, WA Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Victoria's Academy of Cosmetology Kennewick, WA Career College (Private <2 Year) | - | Less Than 1,000 | |
| Yakima Beauty School Beautyworks (Yakima Beauty School, INC.) Yakima, WA 2 Year Private (For-Profit) | - | Less Than 1,000 |