Best Universities in Washington

Top Universities in Washington

University of Washington (UW)

The University of Washington, located in Seattle, is a public research university founded in 1861. It is one of the oldest universities on the West Coast and is known for its strong programs in medicine, engineering, and computer science.

U.S. News Ranking:

Ranked #58 in National Universities.

Number of Students:

Approximately 47,000 students.

Degrees Offered:

UW offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees across various disciplines, including arts and sciences, engineering, business, medicine, and law.

Acceptance Rate:

Around 49%.

Average SAT Score:

The middle 50% SAT scores range from 1220 to 1460.

Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:

Research opportunities, student government, outdoor recreation clubs.

Famous Alumni:

1. Bill Gates – Co-founder of Microsoft Corporation.
2. Paul Allen – Co-founder of Microsoft Corporation.
3. Bruce Lee – Martial artist and actor.
4. Anna Faris – Actress known for her roles in “Scary Movie” and “The House Bunny.”
5. Rainn Wilson – Actor known for his role as Dwight Schrute on “The Office.”

Top Companies Hiring Graduates:

1. Microsoft Corporation
2. com Inc.
3. Boeing
4. Google
5. Facebook

Washington State University (WSU)

Washington State University, located in Pullman, is a public research university founded in 1890. It is known for its programs in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and business.

U.S. News Ranking:

Ranked #166 in National Universities.

Number of Students:

Approximately 31,000 students.

Degrees Offered:

WSU offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in over 200 fields of study, including agriculture, engineering, business, and the arts and sciences.

Acceptance Rate:

Around 75%.

Average SAT Score:

The middle 50% SAT scores range from 1020 to 1210.

Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:

Greek life, intramural sports, community service projects.

Famous Alumni:

1. Edward R. Murrow – Journalist and broadcasting pioneer.
2. Drew Bledsoe – Former NFL quarterback.
3. Gary Larson – Cartoonist and creator of “The Far Side.”
4. Tim Lincecum – Former MLB pitcher.
5. Sherman Alexie – Author and poet.

Top Companies Hiring Graduates:

1. Boeing
2. Microsoft Corporation
3. com Inc.
4. Google
5. State of Washington

Gonzaga University

Gonzaga University, located in Spokane, is a private Catholic university founded in 1887. It is known for its strong programs in business, engineering, and nursing.

U.S. News Ranking:

Ranked #79 in National Universities.

Number of Students:

Approximately 7,500 students.

Degrees Offered:

Gonzaga University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in various fields, including business, engineering, nursing, and the arts and sciences.

Acceptance Rate:

Around 66%.

Average SAT Score:

The middle 50% SAT scores range from 1180 to 1340.

Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:

Community service projects, intramural sports, campus ministry programs.

Famous Alumni:

1. Bing Crosby – Singer and actor.
2. John Stockton – Hall of Fame NBA player.
3. Tom Foley – Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
4. Mark Few – Head coach of the Gonzaga Bulldogs men’s basketball team.
5. Patricia Wald – Former Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Top Companies Hiring Graduates:

1. Providence Health & Services
2. Microsoft Corporation
3. com Inc.
4. Boeing
5. State of Washington

Seattle University

Seattle University, located in Seattle, is a private Jesuit university founded in 1891. It is known for its strong programs in business, law, and nursing.

U.S. News Ranking:

Ranked #124 in National Universities.

Number of Students:

Approximately 7,500 students.

Degrees Offered:

Seattle University offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in various fields, including business, law, nursing, and the arts and sciences.

Acceptance Rate:

Around 74%.

Average SAT Score:

The middle 50% SAT scores range from 1130 to 1320.

Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:

Social justice initiatives, campus ministry programs, student clubs and organizations.

Famous Alumni:

1. Jim Whittaker – First American to summit Mount Everest.
2. Gary Locke – Former Governor of Washington and U.S. Ambassador to China.
3. Tim Burgess – Former Mayor of Seattle.
4. Jean Enersen – First female anchor of a major market TV news show.
5. Ken Jennings – Record-setting “Jeopardy!” champion.

Top Companies Hiring Graduates:

1. com Inc.
2. Microsoft Corporation
3. Boeing
4. Providence Health & Services
5. Starbucks Corporation

Western Washington University (WWU)

Western Washington University, located in Bellingham, is a public university founded in 1893. It is known for its strong programs in environmental science, education, and the arts.

U.S. News Ranking:

Ranked #20 in Regional Universities West.

Number of Students:

Approximately 16,000 students.

Degrees Offered:

WWU offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in various fields, including environmental science, education, business, and the arts and sciences.

Acceptance Rate:

Around 88%.

Average SAT Score:

The middle 50% SAT scores range from 1110 to 1310.

Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:

Outdoor recreation clubs, sustainability initiatives, student publications.

Famous Alumni:

1. Anna Faris – Actress known for her roles in “Scary Movie” and “The House Bunny.”
2. Kyle MacLachlan – Actor known for his roles in “Twin Peaks” and “Blue Velvet.”
3. Stephanie Kwolek – Chemist and inventor of Kevlar.
4. Jean Smart – Emmy Award-winning actress known for her roles in “Designing Women” and “Fargo.”
5. Sean Runnette – Audiobook narrator and voice actor.

Top Companies Hiring Graduates:

1. com Inc.
2. Microsoft Corporation
3. Boeing
4. Providence Health & Services
5. State of Washington

Eastern Washington University (EWU)

Eastern Washington University, located in Cheney, is a public university founded in 1882. It is known for its strong programs in education, business, and health sciences.

U.S. News Ranking:

Ranked #51 in Regional Universities West.

Number of Students:

Approximately 12,000 students.

Degrees Offered:

EWU offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in various fields, including education, business, health sciences, and the arts and sciences.

Acceptance Rate:

Around 95%.

Average SAT Score:

The middle 50% SAT scores range from 980 to 1180.

Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:

Outdoor recreation clubs, student government, community service projects.

Famous Alumni:

1. Michael Roos – Former NFL player for the Tennessee Titans.
2. Jack Evans – Former Mayor of Washington, D.C.
3. Cooper Kupp – NFL wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams.
4. Nance Van Winckel – Poet and novelist.
5. Sally Jewell – Former U.S. Secretary of the Interior.

Top Companies Hiring Graduates:

1. Providence Health & Services
2. State of Washington
3. com Inc.
4. Boeing
5. Microsoft Corporation

Central Washington University (CWU)

Central Washington University, located in Ellensburg, is a public university founded in 1891. It is known for its strong programs in music, aviation, and the sciences.

U.S. News Ranking:

Ranked #76 in Regional Universities West.

Number of Students:

Approximately 12,000 students.

Degrees Offered:

CWU offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in various fields, including music, aviation, science, and the arts and sciences.

Acceptance Rate:

Around 85%.

Average SAT Score:

The middle 50% SAT scores range from 960 to 1160.

Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:

Music ensembles, aviation clubs, intramural sports.

Famous Alumni:

1. William O. Douglas – Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
2. Mark Lanegan – Musician and member of the band Screaming Trees.
3. Jerrel Jernigan – Former NFL wide receiver for the New York Giants.
4. Janick Gers – Guitarist for the band Iron Maiden.
5. John Spellman – Former Governor of Washington.

Top Companies Hiring Graduates:

1. Boeing
2. State of Washington
3. com Inc.
4. Microsoft Corporation
5. Providence Health & Services

Whitman College

Whitman College, located in Walla Walla, is a private liberal arts college founded in 1859. It is known for its rigorous academics and strong programs in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

U.S. News Ranking:

Ranked #41 in National Liberal Arts Colleges.

Number of Students:

Approximately 1,500 students.

Degrees Offered:

Whitman College offers bachelor’s degrees in over 45 majors and minors, with a focus on the liberal arts and sciences.

Acceptance Rate:

Around 52%.

Average SAT Score:

The middle 50% SAT scores range from 1340 to 1500.

Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:

Outdoor recreation clubs, community service projects, student-run publications.

Famous Alumni:

1. Adam West – Actor best known for his role as Batman in the 1960s TV series.
2. Jeanette Rankin – First woman elected to the U.S. Congress.
3. Janet Varney – Actress and voice actress known for her roles in “The Legend of Korra” and “Stan Against Evil.”
4. Marcus Whitman – Missionary and pioneer in the Oregon Country.
5. Tait McKenzie – Sculptor and physician.

Top Companies Hiring Graduates:

1. Microsoft Corporation
2. com Inc.
3. State of Washington
4. Boeing
5. Providence Health & Services

Pacific Lutheran University (PLU)

Pacific Lutheran University, located in Tacoma, is a private Lutheran university founded in 1890. It is known for its strong programs in business, education, and the sciences.

U.S. News Ranking:

Ranked #19 in Regional Universities West.

Number of Students:

Approximately 3,000 students.

Degrees Offered:

PLU offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in various fields, including business, education, nursing, and the arts and sciences.

Acceptance Rate:

Around 86%.

Average SAT Score:

The middle 50% SAT scores range from 1060 to 1270.

Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:

Service-learning projects, music ensembles, intercollegiate athletics.

Famous Alumni:

1. Dave Reichert – Former U.S. Representative for Washington’s 8th congressional district.
2. Macklemore – Grammy Award-winning rapper and songwriter.
3. Gary Larson – Cartoonist and creator of “The Far Side.”
4. Brenda Bakke – Actress known for her roles in “Hot Shots! Part Deux” and “Demon Knight.”
5. David Horsey – Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist.

Top Companies Hiring Graduates:

1. Boeing
2. State of Washington
3. com Inc.
4. Microsoft Corporation
5. Providence Health & Services

Seattle Pacific University (SPU)

Seattle Pacific University, located in Seattle, is a private Christian university founded in 1891. It is known for its strong programs in education, psychology, and theology.

U.S. News Ranking:

Ranked #175 in National Universities.

Number of Students:

Approximately 3,500 students.

Degrees Offered:

SPU offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in various fields, including education, psychology, theology, and the arts and sciences.

Acceptance Rate:

Around 91%.

Average SAT Score:

The middle 50% SAT scores range from 1060 to 1290.

Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:

Faith-based organizations, community service projects, intramural sports.

Famous Alumni:

1. Cliff Barrows – Longtime music and program director for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
2. Stephanie Kwolek – Chemist and inventor of Kevlar.
3. Patrick Gallagher – Former Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh.
4. Dikembe Mutombo – Former NBA player and humanitarian.
5. John N. Hostetter – Actor known for his role as Lieutenant Tom Paris on “Star Trek: Voyager.”

Top Companies Hiring Graduates:

1. com Inc.
2. Microsoft Corporation
3. Boeing
4. Providence Health & Services
5. State of Washington