Best colleges for communications and journalism in Washington
Colleges that offer a bachelor’s in communication, journalism, or a related field, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges for communications and journalism in Washington19 schools
19 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Washington.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Offers a bachelor’s program in communication and journalism, from the College Scorecard field-of-study data (credential level 3).
- 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
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade A+ · Top 2%
- 2
Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#2 in Washington
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 3
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA · Private nonprofitTop 6% for graduation
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 4
Seattle University
Seattle, WA · Private nonprofitTop 11% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 5
University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, WA · Private nonprofitTop 15% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade C+
- 6
Walla Walla University
College Place, WA · Private nonprofit#6 in Washington
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 7Tie
Northwest University
Kirkland, WA · Private nonprofitTop 20% for graduation
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B · Top 49%
- 7Tie
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA · PublicTop 24% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 26%
- 9
University of Washington-Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA · PublicTop 8% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade A+ · Top 1%
- 10
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA · Private nonprofitTop 17% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 24%
- 11
Whitworth University
Spokane, WA · Private nonprofitTop 20% for graduation
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 12
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA · PublicTop 8% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade A+ · Top 1%
- 13
Washington State University
Pullman, WA · PublicTop 16% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade A · Top 6%
- 14
Great Northern University
Spokane, WA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- 15
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA · Private nonprofitTop 20% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B · Top 49%
- 16
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA · PublicTop 25% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 21%
- 17
Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA · Private nonprofitTop 25% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
- 18
Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education
Kirkland, WA · Private nonprofitSolid: Compass grade C+
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade C+
- 19
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA · PublicSolid: Compass grade C+
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade A- · Top 14%
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus | About $14,000 | $14,615 | $78,466 | 85% |
| Whitman College | About $33,000 | $18,437 | $67,589 | 81% |
| Gonzaga University | About $35,000 | $24,454 | $78,892 | 86% |
| Seattle University | About $35,000 | $19,883 | $75,272 | 76% |
| University of Puget Sound | About $38,000 | $25,000 | $69,594 | 68% |
| Walla Walla University | About $23,000 | $26,842 | $61,885 | 60% |
| Northwest University | About $22,000 | $20,891 | $54,914 | 71% |
| Western Washington University | About $21,000 | $18,500 | $62,569 | 65% |
| University of Washington-Bothell Campus | About $12,000 | $14,615 | $78,466 | 65% |
| Pacific Lutheran University | About $20,000 | $22,578 | $66,990 | 69% |
| Whitworth University | About $27,000 | $25,000 | $58,561 | 71% |
| University of Washington-Tacoma Campus | About $10,000 | $14,615 | $78,466 | 63% |
| Washington State University | About $15,000 | $19,500 | $68,905 | 61% |
| Great Northern University | About $21,000 | — | — | 50% |
| Seattle Pacific University | About $24,000 | $24,000 | $64,506 | 62% |
| Central Washington University | About $18,000 | $19,500 | $61,580 | 54% |
| Saint Martin's University | About $28,000 | $22,500 | $62,092 | 52% |
| Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education | About $36,000 | $20,891 | $54,914 | 50% |
| Eastern Washington University | About $14,000 | $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 21
- Alaska 3
- Arizona 9
- Arkansas 18
- California 70
- Colorado 13
- Connecticut 19
- Delaware 4
- District of Columbia 7
- Florida 39
- Georgia 38
- Hawaii 5
- Idaho 6
- Illinois 48
- Indiana 39
- Iowa 25
- Kansas 21
- Kentucky 25
- Louisiana 18
- Maine 6
- Maryland 18
- Massachusetts 38
- Michigan 36
- Minnesota 29
- Mississippi 14
- Missouri 38
- Montana 4
- Nebraska 14
- Nevada 3
- New Hampshire 10
- New Jersey 23
- New Mexico 4
- New York 82
- North Carolina 42
- North Dakota 8
- Ohio 59
- Oklahoma 20
- Oregon 17
- Pennsylvania 90
- Puerto Rico 12
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 25
- South Dakota 6
- Tennessee 29
- Texas 64
- Utah 8
- Vermont 7
- Virginia 34
- West Virginia 12
- Wisconsin 27