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 nonprofit
Top 6% for graduation
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
4
Seattle University
Seattle, WA · Private nonprofit
Top 11% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
5
University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, WA · Private nonprofit
Top 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-
7
Northwest University
Kirkland, WA · Private nonprofit
Top 20% for graduation
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B · Top 49%
7
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA · Public
Top 24% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 26%
9
University of Washington-Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA · Public
Top 8% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade A+ · Top 1%
10
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA · Private nonprofit
Top 17% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 24%
11
Whitworth University
Spokane, WA · Private nonprofit
Top 20% for graduation
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B-
12
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA · Public
Top 8% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade A+ · Top 1%
13
Washington State University
Pullman, WA · Public
Top 16% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade A · Top 6%
14
Great Northern University
Spokane, WA · Private nonprofit
Good: Compass grade B
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
15
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA · Private nonprofit
Top 20% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B · Top 49%
16
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA · Public
Top 25% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade B+ · Top 21%
17
Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA · Private nonprofit
Top 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 nonprofit
Solid: Compass grade C+
- Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
- Value grade C+
19
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA · Public
Solid: 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	$14,091	$14,615	$78,466	85%
Whitman College	$33,313	$18,437	$67,589	81%
Gonzaga University	$35,119	$24,454	$78,892	86%
Seattle University	$34,662	$19,883	$75,272	76%
University of Puget Sound	$38,394	$25,000	$69,594	68%
Walla Walla University	$23,329	$26,842	$61,885	60%
Northwest University	$22,288	$20,891	$54,914	71%
Western Washington University	$21,193	$18,500	$62,569	65%
University of Washington-Bothell Campus	$12,319	$14,615	$78,466	65%
Pacific Lutheran University	$19,589	$22,578	$66,990	69%
Whitworth University	$26,534	$25,000	$58,561	71%
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus	$10,163	$14,615	$78,466	63%
Washington State University	$14,971	$19,500	$68,905	61%
Great Northern University	$21,029	—	—	50%
Seattle Pacific University	$24,488	$24,000	$64,506	62%
Central Washington University	$18,476	$19,500	$61,580	54%
Saint Martin's University	$28,119	$22,500	$62,092	52%
Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education	$35,671	$20,891	$54,914	50%
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.

The national list → · All top school lists →

Best colleges for communications and journalism in Washington

How this list is made

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Whitman College

Gonzaga University

Seattle University

University of Puget Sound

Walla Walla University

Northwest University

Western Washington University

University of Washington-Bothell Campus

Pacific Lutheran University

Whitworth University

University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

Washington State University

Great Northern University

Seattle Pacific University

Central Washington University

Saint Martin's University

Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education

Eastern Washington University

Compare cost and outcomes

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