2026 Best Graduate Degrees Schools in Washington
Looking for the best Graduate Degrees degree programs in Washington? Our ranking highlights 97 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree reviewed 82 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Washington
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than University Of Washington Tacoma Campus this year in Washington. Located in Tacoma, WA, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates 63% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $16,151. See the full University Of Washington Tacoma Campus profile
A rank of #2 makes Seattle Pacific University one of the top choices in Washington. Based in Seattle, WA, Seattle Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,407. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. See the full Seattle Pacific University profile
Out of the 82 schools in Washington in this year's ranking, University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #3 spot. Based in Bothell, WA, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Bothell Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $15,636. Read the full report on University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Out of the 82 schools in Washington in this year's ranking, University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #4 spot. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
A rank of #5 makes Gonzaga University one of the top choices in Washington. Located in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $55,480. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about Gonzaga University
Whitworth University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit school based in Spokane, WA. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $52,880. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,051. Read the full report on Whitworth University
Washington State University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Washington State University is a public school based in Pullman, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. See the full Washington State University profile
Seattle University landed the #8 spot in Washington this year. Based in Seattle, WA, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $56,721. Graduates carry a median of $22,289 in student loans. Read the full report on Seattle University
Pacific Lutheran University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Tacoma, WA, Pacific Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. Pacific Lutheran University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $50,916. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $23,667. See the full Pacific Lutheran University profile
Saint Martins University placed #10 among Graduate Degrees schools in Washington. Located in Lacey, WA, Saint Martins University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $45,510 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $22,818. Read more about Saint Martins University
Western Washington University landed the #11 spot in Washington this year. Western Washington University is a public school based in Bellingham, WA. Western Washington University graduates 65% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Graduates carry a median of $20,361 in student loans. Read more about Western Washington University
Heritage University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Heritage University is a private not-for-profit school based in Toppenish, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. In-state tuition and fees average $20,928. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $19,148. See the full Heritage University profile
Eastern Washington University placed #13 among Graduate Degrees schools in Washington. Set in Cheney, WA, Eastern Washington University is a public institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $21,754. Get the full Eastern Washington University report
City University Of Seattle did well this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Seattle, WA, City University Of Seattle is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,929. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $18,000. Get the full City University Of Seattle report
Central Washington University placed #15 among Graduate Degrees schools in Washington. Central Washington University is a public school based in Ellensburg, WA. About 54% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $21,988. Read more about Central Washington University
Northwest University did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Kirkland, WA, Northwest University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $36,035. Graduates carry a median of $22,439 in student loans. Read the full report on Northwest University
Antioch University Seattle ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Seattle, WA, Antioch University Seattle is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,260. Antioch University Seattle Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $29,832 in debt. More on Antioch University Seattle
The Evergreen State College came in at #18 in this year's ranking. More on The Evergreen State College
Northwest Indian College placed #19 among Graduate Degrees schools in Washington. More on Northwest Indian College
Glen Dow Academy Of Hair Design did well this year, earning the #20 position. Read more about Glen Dow Academy Of Hair Design
Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies did well this year, earning the #21 position. More on Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies
Pacific Northwest Christian College came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Get the full Pacific Northwest Christian College report
Whatcom Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Whatcom Community College report
Edmonds Community College came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Edmonds Community College
The Seattle School Of Theology And Psychology placed #25 among Graduate Degrees schools in Washington. Read the full report on The Seattle School Of Theology And Psychology
Rest of the Top 50 Best Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Washington
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett landed the #26 spot in Washington this year. Get the full Evergreen Beauty And Barber College Everett report
Wenatchee Valley College did well this year, earning the #27 position. More on Wenatchee Valley College
Northwest School Of Wooden Boat Building came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Read more about Northwest School Of Wooden Boat Building
Pima Medical Institute Seattle ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. More on Pima Medical Institute Seattle
University Of Puget Sound placed #30 among Graduate Degrees schools in Washington. More on University Of Puget Sound
Studio Beauty School landed the #31 spot in Washington this year. More on Studio Beauty School
Highline Community College placed #32 among Graduate Degrees schools in Washington. See the full Highline Community College profile
Pacific Northwest University Of Health Sciences came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Pacific Northwest University Of Health Sciences
Columbia Basin College came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Get the full Columbia Basin College report
Aveda Institute Portland Vancouver Campus placed #35 among Graduate Degrees schools in Washington. See the full Aveda Institute Portland Vancouver Campus profile
Centralia College landed the #36 spot in Washington this year. Read the full report on Centralia College
Yakima Valley Community College placed #37 among Graduate Degrees schools in Washington. Read more about Yakima Valley Community College
Zorganics Institute Of Beauty And Wellness came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Get the full Zorganics Institute Of Beauty And Wellness report
Cascadia Community College came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Read more about Cascadia Community College
Seattle Community College Central Campus placed #40 among Graduate Degrees schools in Washington. See the full Seattle Community College Central Campus profile
Grays Harbor College did well this year, earning the #41 position. Read more about Grays Harbor College
Big Bend Community College placed #42 among Graduate Degrees schools in Washington. Read more about Big Bend Community College
Perry Technical Institute ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Perry Technical Institute
Green River Community College landed the #44 spot in Washington this year. More on Green River Community College
South Puget Sound Community College did well this year, earning the #45 position. See the full South Puget Sound Community College profile
Summit Salon Academy Tacoma placed #46 among Graduate Degrees schools in Washington. Get the full Summit Salon Academy Tacoma report
International Air And Hospitality Academy did well this year, earning the #47 position. Read the full report on International Air And Hospitality Academy
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline placed #48 among Graduate Degrees schools in Washington. Read more about Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline
Shoreline Community College did well this year, earning the #49 position. Get the full Shoreline Community College report
Uei College Tacoma did well this year, earning the #50 position. More on Uei College Tacoma
More Graduate Degrees Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 82 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 97 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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