Colleges with the best earnings for the price in Washington
Colleges ranked by what former students earn ten years after enrolling, compared with four years of net price.
Colleges with the best earnings for the price in Washington13 schools
13 schools qualify, ranked by earnings for the price.
How this list is made
- Schools in Washington.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- Has median earnings ten years after enrolling and a net price from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by earnings divided by four years of net price, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA · PublicHonor Roll#1 in Washington
- Earnings are 1.4× the four-year net price
- Earnings $78,466 ten years out
- 2
Washington State University
Pullman, WA · PublicTop 16% for earnings
- Earnings are 1.2× the four-year net price
- Earnings $68,905 ten years out
- 3
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA · Private nonprofitTop 17% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.9× the four-year net price
- Earnings $66,990 ten years out
- 4Tie
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA · PublicTop 24% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $62,569 ten years out
- 4Tie
Walla Walla University
College Place, WA · Private nonprofit#6 in Washington
- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $61,885 ten years out
- 4Tie
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA · Private nonprofitTop 20% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $64,506 ten years out
- 7Tie
Northwest University
Kirkland, WA · Private nonprofitTop 20% for graduation
- Earnings are 0.6× the four-year net price
- Earnings $54,914 ten years out
- 7Tie
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA · Private nonprofitTop 6% for graduation
- Earnings are 0.6× the four-year net price
- Earnings $78,892 ten years out
- 7Tie
Whitworth University
Spokane, WA · Private nonprofitTop 20% for graduation
- Earnings are 0.6× the four-year net price
- Earnings $58,561 ten years out
- 10Tie
Seattle University
Seattle, WA · Private nonprofitTop 11% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.5× the four-year net price
- Earnings $75,272 ten years out
- 10Tie
Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#2 in Washington
- Earnings are 0.5× the four-year net price
- Earnings $67,589 ten years out
- 10Tie
University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, WA · Private nonprofitTop 15% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.5× the four-year net price
- Earnings $69,594 ten years out
- 13
DigiPen Institute of Technology
Redmond, WA · Private for-profitTop 8% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.4× the four-year net price
- Earnings $79,878 ten years out
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% |
| Washington State University | $14,971 | $19,500 | $68,905 | 61% |
| Pacific Lutheran University | $19,589 | $22,578 | $66,990 | 69% |
| Western Washington University | $21,193 | $18,500 | $62,569 | 65% |
| Walla Walla University | $23,329 | $26,842 | $61,885 | 60% |
| Seattle Pacific University | $24,488 | $24,000 | $64,506 | 62% |
| Northwest University | $22,288 | $20,891 | $54,914 | 71% |
| Gonzaga University | $35,119 | $24,454 | $78,892 | 86% |
| Whitworth University | $26,534 | $25,000 | $58,561 | 71% |
| Seattle University | $34,662 | $19,883 | $75,272 | 76% |
| Whitman College | $33,313 | $18,437 | $67,589 | 81% |
| University of Puget Sound | $38,394 | $25,000 | $69,594 | 68% |
| DigiPen Institute of Technology | $44,446 | $27,000 | $79,878 | 61% |
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 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 62
- Colorado 6
- Connecticut 13
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 9
- Maryland 15
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 20
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 16
- New York 77
- North Carolina 16
- Ohio 32
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 10
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 9
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Wisconsin 15