The Best Washington Colleges

The Best Colleges in Washington for 2023

These are the top ranked public and private four-year colleges in Washington as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the list for 2023 as the best overall college in Washington is Whitman 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.


16 results

Whitman College
W
Walla Walla, WA

Whitman College

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 1,559enrollment
  • $38,989net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1295-1455SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

University of Washington Seattle Campus
W
Seattle, WA

University of Washington Seattle Campus

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in America

  • 52,434enrollment
  • $9,661net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1453SAT range
  • 27-33ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

Seattle University
S
Seattle, WA

Seattle University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Washington

  • 7,268enrollment
  • $36,843net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1330SAT range
  • 24-31ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Gonzaga University
G
Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 7,381enrollment
  • $36,880net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1380SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

University of Puget Sound
P
Tacoma, WA

University of Puget Sound

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 2,173enrollment
  • $38,127net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1370SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Seattle Pacific University
S
Seattle, WA

Seattle Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Washington

  • 3,443enrollment
  • $28,367net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1300SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 15

Northwest University
N
Kirkland, WA

Northwest University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Washington

  • 1,083enrollment
  • $21,825net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 985-1210SAT range
  • 24-32ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Pacific Lutheran University
P
Tacoma, WA

Pacific Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 2,706enrollment
  • $25,368net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1376SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Western Washington University
W
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 15,125enrollment
  • $18,398net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1310SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Whitworth University
W
Spokane, WA

Whitworth University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 2,681enrollment
  • $25,785net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 15

Washington State University
W
Pullman, WA

Washington State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 29,843enrollment
  • $17,931net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 31

Washington State University
W
Pullman, WA

Washington State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 29,843enrollment
  • $17,931net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 31

Saint Martin's University
S
Lacey, WA

Saint Martin's University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 1,616enrollment
  • $23,824net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 995-1225SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

The Evergreen State College
E
Olympia, WA

The Evergreen State College

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 2,116enrollment
  • $14,723net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1200SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Central Washington University
C
Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 10,176enrollment
  • $16,441net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 930-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.08Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Eastern Washington University
E
Cheney, WA

Eastern Washington University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 10,892enrollment
  • $12,322net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 880-1090SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Applications Due May 15