2025 Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in Washington
When pursuing a college degree in today's world, there are many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges in Washington ranking is part of that endeavor.
What's on This Page: * Our Methodology
Your Choice of School Matters
After analyzing 36 schools in Washington, we came up with our list of those that offered the best bachelor's degree programs. Our ranking for the best schools is based on objective factors. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another. The following gives more info on what goes into our ranking factors and why we consider those factors.
Early-Career Earnings
Average early-career salary of those graduating with a bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue a degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
Average Student Debt
In addition to average starting salaries, we also consider the average amount of student loans that students take on while pursuing their bachelor's degree.
The average debt load at a particular school may not be bad, but it's an important thing to consider in conjunction with post-graduation earnings.
Other Ranking Factors in Our Methodology
In addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt loads, we also look at a host of other factors to determining our Best Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking.
Several other factors - such as how much the school spends on educational resources, the demand of the school, the availability of online learning options, and the student body caliber - go into our rankings.
We go into more detail on these factors on our best schools ranking methodology page.
Check Out These Other Rankings
If you'd rather work on your bachelor's degree in a specific area of the country, you might be interested in our
rankings by place. Also, check out our other
college rankings to help you with your college decision.
Top Bachelor's Degree Schools in Washington
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
9,719
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$50,223
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,681
Average Student Debt
Our 2025 rankings named University of Washington - Seattle Campus the best school in Washington in terms of overall quality for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Seattle, Washington, the large public school handed out 9,719 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from UW Seattle go into careers with an average salary of $50,223 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $26,681 in student loans.
Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Report
79
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$71,275
Average Early-Career Earnings
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Seattle Central College. The school came in at #2 in Washington on this year’s best bachelor’s degree schools ranking. Seattle Central is located in Seattle, Washington and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 79 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Seattle Central is $71,275 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Seattle Central College
6,178
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$46,771
Average Early-Career Earnings
$30,523
Average Student Debt
Out of the 36 bachelor’s degree schools in Washington that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Pullman, Washington, the large public school awarded 6,178 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Wazzu go into careers with an average salary of $46,771 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $30,523 in student loans.
Full Washington State University Report
1,375
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$52,484
Average Early-Career Earnings
$54,901
Average Student Debt
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Seattle University. The school came in at #4 in Washington on this year’s best bachelor’s degree schools ranking. Located in Seattle, Washington, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1,375 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Seattle U make an average of $52,484 a year. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $54,901 in student loans.
Learn More About Seattle University
1,289
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$48,315
Average Early-Career Earnings
$68,894
Average Student Debt
Out of the 36 bachelor’s degree schools in Washington that were part of this year’s ranking, Gonzaga University landed the #5 spot on the list. Spokane, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,289 students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Gonzaga go into careers with an average salary of $48,315 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $68,894.
Read full report on Gonzaga University
3,467
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$39,468
Average Early-Career Earnings
$23,393
Average Student Debt
Western Washington University did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Bellingham, Washington, the fairly large public school handed out 3,467 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from WWU make an average of $39,468 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $23,393.
Read full report on Western Washington University
111
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$77,431
Average Early-Career Earnings
Lake Washington Institute of Technology ranked #7 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington list. This small public school is located in Kirkland, Washington, and it awarded 111 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from LWTech is $77,431 during the early years of their career.
Full Lake Washington Institute of Technology Report
346
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$73,938
Average Early-Career Earnings
Bellevue College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington list. BC is a fairly large public school situated in Bellevue, Washington. It awarded 346 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from BC go into careers with an average salary of $73,938 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Bellevue College
2,612
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$41,354
Average Early-Career Earnings
$24,023
Average Student Debt
Central Washington University did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington ranking, coming in at #9. CWU is a medium-sized public school situated in Ellensburg, Washington. It awarded 2,612 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from CWU make an average of $41,354 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $24,023 in student loans.
Learn More About Central Washington University
188
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$79,592
Average Early-Career Earnings
City University of Seattle did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington ranking, coming in at #10. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 188 students in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $79,592 during the early years of their career.
Full City University of Seattle Report
616
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$41,685
Average Early-Career Earnings
$30,881
Average Student Debt
Pacific Lutheran University did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Tacoma, Washington, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 616 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from PLU make an average of $41,685 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $30,881 in student loans.
Full Pacific Lutheran University Report
735
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$46,904
Average Early-Career Earnings
$43,541
Average Student Debt
Seattle Pacific University did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington ranking, coming in at #12. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 735 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $46,904 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $43,541 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Seattle Pacific University
389
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$32,345
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #13, Whitman College did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington list. Located in Walla Walla, Washington, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 389 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Whitman make an average of $32,345 per year during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Whitman College
11
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
Spokane Community College did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington ranking, coming in at #14. Spokane Community College is located in Spokane, Washington and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 11 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Learn More About Spokane Community College
2,202
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$42,156
Average Early-Career Earnings
$15,747
Average Student Debt
Eastern Washington University did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington ranking, coming in at #15. EWU is a public institution located in Cheney, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,202 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from EWU make an average of $42,156 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $15,747 after getting their degree.
Full Eastern Washington University Report
534
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$28,810
Average Early-Career Earnings
$71,554
Average Student Debt
University of Puget Sound did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Tacoma, Washington, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 534 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Puget Sound go into careers with an average salary of $28,810 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $71,554 after getting their degree.
Read full report on University of Puget Sound
152
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$65,925
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #17, Columbia Basin College did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington list. CBC is a medium-sized public school situated in Pasco, Washington. It awarded 152 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from CBC is $65,925 during the early years of their career.
Full Columbia Basin College Report
643
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$44,414
Average Early-Career Earnings
$42,553
Average Student Debt
Whitworth University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Spokane, Washington, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 643 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Whitworth make an average of $44,414 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $42,553.
Full Whitworth University Report
227
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$48,122
Average Early-Career Earnings
$30,200
Average Student Debt
Northwest University did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington ranking, coming in at #19. Northwest University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Kirkland, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 227 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Northwest University make an average of $48,122 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $30,200 in student loans.
Full Northwest University Report
304
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$56,829
Average Early-Career Earnings
Walla Walla University landed the #20 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Walla Walla University is a small private not-for-profit school located in College Place, Washington that handed out 304 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $56,829 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Walla Walla University
213
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$36,578
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #21, Heritage University did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington list. Toppenish, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 213 students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Heritage University make an average of $36,578 a year.
Full Heritage University Report
87
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$55,849
Average Early-Career Earnings
Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom ranked #22 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington list. Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom is a medium-sized public school located in Lakewood, Washington that handed out 87 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $55,849 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom
534
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$26,942
Average Early-Career Earnings
$22,323
Average Student Debt
The Evergreen State College did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington ranking, coming in at #23. The Evergreen State College is a small public school located in Olympia, Washington that handed out 534 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Evergreen make an average of $26,942 a year. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $22,323 in student loans.
Learn More About The Evergreen State College
41
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
Tacoma Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Tacoma, Washington, the medium-sized public school awarded 41 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Read full report on Tacoma Community College
35
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
Whatcom Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington ranking. This small public school is located in Bellingham, Washington, and it awarded 35 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Full Whatcom Community College Report
