The Best Pacific Northwestern Colleges

The Best Colleges in the Pacific Northwest for 2025

These are the top ranked public and private four-year colleges in the Pacific Northwest as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the list for 2025 as the best overall college in the Pacific Northwest is Reed College. The top rated public state college is University of Washington Seattle Campus. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Pacific Northwest Public Private 4 year

33 results

Reed College
R
Portland, OR

Reed College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Oregon

  • 1,458enrollment
  • $36,993net price
  • 27%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1510SAT range
  • 29-34ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

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University of Washington Seattle Campus
W
Seattle, WA

University of Washington Seattle Campus

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in America

  • 55,620enrollment
  • $11,023net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1453SAT range
  • 27-33ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 16

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Whitman College
W
Walla Walla, WA

Whitman College

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 1,544enrollment
  • $41,601net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1270-1480SAT range
  • 27-33ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Seattle University
S
Seattle, WA

Seattle University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Washington

  • 7,182enrollment
  • $37,103net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1350SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Portland
P
Portland, OR

University of Portland

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Oregon

  • 3,457enrollment
  • $34,951net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1356SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Gonzaga University
G
Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 7,306enrollment
  • $40,295net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1410SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Puget Sound
P
Tacoma, WA

University of Puget Sound

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 1,914enrollment
  • $42,301net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1185-1390SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Lewis & Clark College
L
Portland, OR

Lewis & Clark College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Oregon

  • 3,526enrollment
  • $38,247net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1390SAT range
  • 28-31ACT range
  • 3.95Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Linfield University
L
McMinnville, OR

Linfield University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Oregon

  • 1,726enrollment
  • $31,462net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1210SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Seattle Pacific University
S
Seattle, WA

Seattle Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Washington

  • 2,659enrollment
  • $26,155net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1320SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 11

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Willamette University
W
Salem, OR

Willamette University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Oregon

  • 2,112enrollment
  • $27,716net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1430SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Whitworth University
W
Spokane, WA

Whitworth University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 2,345enrollment
  • $27,491net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1320SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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University of Oregon
O
Eugene, OR

University of Oregon

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 23,786enrollment
  • $23,917net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1360SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Western Washington University
W
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 14,651enrollment
  • $22,096net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1350SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 31

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Oregon State University
O
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 35,622enrollment
  • $21,868net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1370SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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Washington State University
W
Pullman, WA

Washington State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 26,490enrollment
  • $18,155net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 31

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Pacific University
P
Forest Grove, OR

Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Oregon

  • 3,479enrollment
  • $34,809net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 990-1240SAT range
  • 17-28ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 25

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George Fox University
G
Newberg, OR

George Fox University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Oregon

  • 4,531enrollment
  • $30,649net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1330SAT range
  • 17-28ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

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