Top 10 Universities in Washington State

Top 10 Universities in Washington State – If you are looking for a quality higher education in the Pacific Northwest, you might want to consider Washington state as your destination. The Evergreen State boasts a diverse range of colleges and universities that cater to different interests, needs, and goals of students. Whether you prefer a large public university with cutting-edge research facilities, a small private college with a close-knit community, or anything in between, you can find it in Washington. In this article, we will introduce you to the top 10 universities in Washington state, based on various rankings and criteria such as academic excellence, student satisfaction, graduation rate, return on investment, and more.

Here are the top 10 universities in Washington state:

1. University of Washington

The University of Washington (UW) is a public research university located in Seattle, the largest city in the state. UW is one of the most innovative and influential universities in the world, ranking among the top 10 in several global rankings. UW has 16 schools and colleges, offering more than 300 degree programs to over 45,000 students. UW is also a leader in research, spending nearly $1.4 billion on research projects in 2020. Some of the notable alumni of UW include Bill Gates, Bruce Lee, Anna Faris, and Hope Solo.

2. Gonzaga University – Top 10 Universities in Washington State

Gonzaga University is a private Catholic university located in Spokane, the second-largest city in the state. Gonzaga is known for its strong liberal arts education, its Jesuit values, and its competitive basketball team. Gonzaga has seven schools and colleges, offering more than 75 degree programs to over 7,000 students. Gonzaga has a high graduation rate of 85%, and a high return on investment of $449,700. Some of the notable alumni of Gonzaga include Bing Crosby, John Stockton, Sherman Alexie, and Christine Gregoire.

3. Seattle University

Seattle University is a private Catholic university located in Seattle. Seattle University is the largest independent university in the Northwest, with over 7,000 students enrolled in nine schools and colleges. Seattle University offers more than 120 degree programs, with an emphasis on social justice, sustainability, and innovation. Seattle University has a high graduation rate of 75%, and a high student satisfaction rate of 88%. Some of the notable alumni of Seattle University include Gary Locke, Elgin Baylor, Jean Enersen, and Carlos Santana.

4. Whitman College

Whitman College is a private liberal arts college located in Walla Walla, a small town in southeastern Washington. Whitman College is one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country, ranking among the top 50 by U.S. News & World Report. Whitman College offers more than 40 majors and minors to over 1,500 students. Whitman College has a low student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1, and a high study abroad participation rate of 60%. Some of the notable alumni of Whitman College include Adam West, Kaitlin Olson, Brian Benben, and Marcus Whitman.

5. Washington State University

Washington State University (WSU) is a public research university with multiple campuses across the state. The main campus is located in Pullman, a rural town in eastern Washington. WSU has 11 colleges and schools, offering more than 200 degree programs to over 30,000 students. WSU is also a leader in research, ranking among the top 100 universities in federal research expenditures. Some of the notable alumni of WSU include Edward R. Murrow, Paul Allen, John Elway, and Dolores Huerta.

6. Seattle Pacific University

Seattle Pacific University (SPU) is a private Christian university located in Seattle. SPU is affiliated with the Free Methodist Church and has a mission to engage the culture and change the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. SPU has six schools and colleges, offering more than 60 degree programs to over 3,000 students. SPU has a high retention rate of 84%, and a high community service participation rate of 85%. Some of the notable alumni of SPU include Richard Stearns, Megan Rapinoe, Clint Dempsey, and Kathi Goertzen.

7. Whitworth University

Whitworth University is a private Christian university located in Spokane. Whitworth is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church and has a vision to provide an education of mind and heart that honors God and equips graduates to serve humanity. Whitworth has seven schools and departments, offering more than 100 degree programs to over 2,000 students. Whitworth has a high graduation rate of 75%, and a high alumni giving rate of 25%. Some of the notable alumni of Whitworth include Michael Allan, Christine Sinclair, Randy Corley, and George Nethercutt.

8. Western Washington University

Western Washington University (WWU) is a public university located in Bellingham, a coastal city in northwestern Washington. WWU is the third-largest university in the state, with over 15,000 students enrolled in seven colleges and schools. WWU offers more than 160 degree programs, with a focus on interdisciplinary and experiential learning. WWU has a high freshman retention rate of 84%, and a high student engagement rate of 90%. Some of the notable alumni of WWU include Ryan Stiles, Hilary Swank, Ira Glass, and Rick Larsen.

9. University of Puget Sound

University of Puget Sound (UPS) is a private liberal arts college located in Tacoma, a port city in western Washington. UPS is one of the few national liberal arts colleges on the West Coast, offering more than 50 majors and minors to over 2,000 students. UPS has a low student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, and a high undergraduate research participation rate of 67%. Some of the notable alumni of UPS include Dale Chihuly, Bruce Harrell, Joby Warrick, and Annie Proulx.

10. Eastern Washington University

Eastern Washington University (EWU) is a public university located in Cheney, a small town in eastern Washington. EWU also has a satellite campus in Spokane, where it offers some of its graduate and professional programs. EWU has six colleges and schools, offering more than 100 degree programs to over 12,000 students. EWU is one of the most affordable universities in the state, with an annual tuition of less than $8,000 for in-state students. Some of the notable alumni of EWU include Michael Roos, Rodney Stuckey, Jess Walter, and Tony Reali.