Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in Washington
Colleges that compete in NCAA Division I athletics, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in Washington5 schools
5 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Washington.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Competes in NCAA Division I (the school's athletics association, from federal and association data).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA · PublicHonor Roll#1 in Washington
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 85% graduate
- 2
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA · Private nonprofitTop 6% for graduation
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 86% graduate
- 3
Seattle University
Seattle, WA · Private nonprofitTop 11% for earnings
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 76% graduate
- 4
Washington State University
Pullman, WA · PublicTop 16% for earnings
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 61% graduate
- 5
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA · PublicSolid: Compass grade C+
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 43% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus | $14,091 | $14,615 | $78,466 | 85% |
| Gonzaga University | $35,119 | $24,454 | $78,892 | 86% |
| Seattle University | $34,662 | $19,883 | $75,272 | 76% |
| Washington State University | $14,971 | $19,500 | $68,905 | 61% |
| Eastern Washington University | $13,886 | $19,500 | $57,897 | 43% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 10
- Arizona 5
- Arkansas 5
- California 26
- Colorado 5
- Connecticut 6
- District of Columbia 4
- Florida 14
- Georgia 6
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 13
- Indiana 11
- Iowa 4
- Kansas 3
- Kentucky 8
- Louisiana 12
- Maryland 9
- Massachusetts 9
- Michigan 7
- Mississippi 6
- Missouri 6
- Nebraska 3
- New Jersey 8
- New York 23
- North Carolina 19
- Ohio 13
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 4
- Pennsylvania 15
- Rhode Island 4
- South Carolina 12
- Tennessee 12
- Texas 26
- Utah 7
- Virginia 14
- Wisconsin 4