Washington Private Colleges and Universities
Looking for Private Colleges and Universities in Washington
Washington State provides the perfect backdrop for those who like to study while taking in a variety of environmental pleasures at one of Washington's private colleges. From a ferry ride on Puget Sound to a stroll near the snowcapped mountains surrounding Seattle, there are activities for everyone attending a private college in the state.
Private Colleges in Washington
Washington private colleges and universities offer a wide range of education programs with degrees and certificates up to the doctoral level, as well as professional degrees such as law and medicine.
There are six four-year public colleges and universities and more than 14 private ones here in Washington. Some of them also have multiple locations around the state. Many colleges and universities in Washington are publicly funded and some are located in the cities of Spokane, Tacoma, Bellevue and the state capital, Olympia. These Washington private colleges are diverse in character, academic emphasis, and origins. Some private colleges or schools have a religious affiliation; others are secular. Private colleges and universities may be profit or non-profit institutions. Typically, Washington independent colleges or private schools give weight to personal characteristics and activities in addition to considering GPA and test scores.
Private Colleges and Universities in Washington includes:
- Walla Walla University (College Place)
- Antioch University (Seattle)
- DigiPen Institute of Technology (Redmond)
- Whitman College (Walla Walla)
- The Art Institute of Seattle (Seattle)
- Gonzaga University (GU) in Spokane, WA
- Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) in Tacoma, WA
- Seattle Pacific University (SPU) in Seattle, WA
- Seattle University (Seattle U.) in Seattle, WA
- Whitworth University in Spokane, WA
The largest being Seattle University with 5,947 full time students. Whitman College is the most expensive with an in-state tuition of $41,790. On average, how much does it costs to attend private college in Washington? The average annual in-state private college tuition in Washington is $26,732 in 2013.
Washington Friends of Higher Education: Independent Colleges of Washington
The Washington Friends of Higher Education: Independent Colleges of Washington is a voluntary organization responsible for coordinating collaborative activities of the private colleges and universities in Washington.
Together, ICW’s 10 independent colleges provide an effective framework for student success, graduating productive and engaged citizens
Rank consistently in the top five graduation rates in the nation
- Over 80% of graduates finish in four years or less
- Students work closely with professors in the lab, in the field, and on independent studies
- 95% of classes have fewer than 40 students
- 11:1 student to faculty ratio
- 45% of Washington’s 454 Fulbright student scholars since 2000 are alumni of ICW colleges
Together, ICW’s 10 independent colleges enroll 40,000 students from all 39 Washington counties, 50 states, and 90 countries
Northwest Career Colleges Federation
The Northwest Career Colleges Federation is a passionate and effective advocate for private career colleges and schools in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Since our founding in 1969, we have proudly represented the interests of hundreds of member institutions, their leadership, their faculty and thousands of students served by members.
