Best colleges for education in Washington

Colleges that offer a bachelor’s in education, ranked by Compass Score.

Best colleges for education in Washington20 schools

20 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 education, 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 education
- Value grade A+ · Top 2%
2
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA · Private nonprofit
Top 6% for graduation
- Bachelor’s program in education
- Value grade B-
3
Seattle University
Seattle, WA · Private nonprofit
Top 11% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in education
- Value grade B-
4
University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, WA · Private nonprofit
Top 15% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in education
- Value grade C+
5
Walla Walla University
College Place, WA · Private nonprofit
#6 in Washington
- Bachelor’s program in education
- Value grade B-
6
Northwest University
Kirkland, WA · Private nonprofit
Top 20% for graduation
- Bachelor’s program in education
- Value grade B · Top 49%
6
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA · Public
Top 24% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in education
- Value grade B+ · Top 26%
8
University of Washington-Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA · Public
Top 8% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in education
- Value grade A+ · Top 1%
9
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA · Private nonprofit
Top 17% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in education
- Value grade B+ · Top 24%
10
Whitworth University
Spokane, WA · Private nonprofit
Top 20% for graduation
- Bachelor’s program in education
- Value grade B-
11
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA · Public
Top 8% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in education
- Value grade A+ · Top 1%
12
Heritage University
Toppenish, WA · Private nonprofit
Top 18% for low debt
- Bachelor’s program in education
- Value grade A- · Top 18%
13
Washington State University
Pullman, WA · Public
Top 16% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in education
- Value grade A · Top 6%
14
Great Northern University
Spokane, WA · Private nonprofit
Good: Compass grade B
- Bachelor’s program in education
15
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA · Private nonprofit
Top 20% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in education
- Value grade B · Top 49%
16
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA · Public
Top 25% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in education
- Value grade B+ · Top 21%
17
Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA · Private nonprofit
Top 25% for earnings
- Bachelor’s program in education
- Value grade B-
18
Faith International University
Tacoma, WA · Private nonprofit
Top 25% for low debt
- Bachelor’s program in education
- Value grade B · Top 49%
19
Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education
Kirkland, WA · Private nonprofit
Solid: Compass grade C+
- Bachelor’s program in education
- Value grade C+
20
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA · Public
Solid: Compass grade C+
- Bachelor’s program in education
- 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%
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%
Heritage University	$14,598	$14,573	$49,416	54%
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%
Faith International University	$22,662	$17,650	$51,006	25%
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 education in Washington

How this list is made

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

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

Heritage University

Washington State University

Great Northern University

Seattle Pacific University

Central Washington University

Saint Martin's University

Faith International University

Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education

Eastern Washington University

Compare cost and outcomes

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