2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in Washington
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in Washington? Our ranking highlights 97 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree reviewed 17 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Washington
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
For return on investment, no school beat Heritage University this year in Washington. Heritage University is a private not-for-profit school based in Toppenish, WA. In-state tuition and fees average $20,928. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $19,148. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,416. Set against $19,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Heritage University profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Whitworth University earned it the #2 place in Washington. Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit school based in Spokane, WA. In-state tuition and fees average $52,880. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,051. Whitworth University alumni report median earnings of $58,561 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,051 median debt. Whitworth University has an acceptance rate of 90%. Read the full report on Whitworth University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washington State University earned it the #3 place in Washington. Washington State University is a public school based in Pullman, WA. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 87% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Washington State University profile
Out of the 17 schools in Washington in this year's value ranking, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #4 spot. Located in Tacoma, WA, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public institution. 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. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus alumni report median earnings of $78,466 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,151 median debt. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants. See the full University Of Washington Tacoma Campus profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Washington University earned it the #5 place in Washington. Western Washington University is a public school based in Bellingham, WA. 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. Western Washington University alumni report median earnings of $62,569 a decade after entry. Set against $20,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants. Read more about Western Washington University
Gonzaga University landed the #6 spot for value in Washington this year. Located in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $55,480. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 82% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Gonzaga University
City University Of Seattle placed #7 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Washington. 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. City University Of Seattle alumni report median earnings of $69,460 a decade after entry. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full City University Of Seattle report
Seattle University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Seattle, WA, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $56,721. Graduates carry a median of $22,289 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $75,272. That is a strong return on a $22,289 median debt. Seattle University has an acceptance rate of 77%. Read the full report on Seattle University
University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Based in Bothell, WA, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,466. That is a strong return on a $15,636 median debt. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Central Washington University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Central Washington University is a public school based in Ellensburg, WA. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,580. Set against $21,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%. Read more about Central Washington University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $78,466. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Eastern Washington University landed the #12 spot for value in Washington this year. Set in Cheney, WA, Eastern Washington University is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,897. That is a strong return on a $21,754 median debt. About 91% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Eastern Washington University report
Saint Martins University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Lacey, WA, Saint Martins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,510 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $22,818. Median earnings reach $62,092 ten years out. Set against $22,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Martins University admits about 90% of applicants. Read more about Saint Martins University
Seattle Pacific University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Seattle, WA, Seattle Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,407. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $64,506. That is a strong return on a $25,188 median debt. Seattle Pacific University has an acceptance rate of 83%. See the full Seattle Pacific University profile
Northwest University landed the #15 spot for value in Washington this year. Located in Kirkland, WA, Northwest University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,035. Graduates carry a median of $22,439 in student loans. Northwest University alumni report median earnings of $54,914 a decade after entry. Set against $22,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest University admits about 83% of applicants. Read the full report on Northwest University
Antioch University Seattle placed #16 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Washington. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,541. That is a strong return on a $29,832 median debt. More on Antioch University Seattle
Pacific Lutheran University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Tacoma, WA, Pacific Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $50,916. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $23,667. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $66,990. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pacific Lutheran University has an acceptance rate of 78%. See the full Pacific Lutheran University profile
Yakima Valley Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Read more about Yakima Valley Community College
Grays Harbor College placed #19 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Washington. Read more about Grays Harbor College
Seattle Community College South Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Seattle Community College South Campus
Paul Mitchell The School Richland offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. See the full Paul Mitchell The School Richland profile
Aveda Institute Portland Vancouver Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Aveda Institute Portland Vancouver Campus profile
Stylemaster College Of Hair Design came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Stylemaster College Of Hair Design
Pacific Northwest University Of Health Sciences landed the #24 spot for value in Washington this year. Read the full report on Pacific Northwest University Of Health Sciences
Bjs Beauty And Barber College Tacoma came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Bjs Beauty And Barber College Tacoma
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Washington
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Seattle Community College North Campus came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Seattle Community College North Campus
Whatcom Community College landed the #27 spot for value in Washington this year. Get the full Whatcom Community College report
Walla Walla Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Read more about Walla Walla Community College
Clover Park Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Read more about Clover Park Technical College
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Read more about Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom
Pacific Northwest Christian College placed #31 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Washington. Get the full Pacific Northwest Christian College report
Skagit Valley College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. More on Skagit Valley College
Pima Medical Institute Renton came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. More on Pima Medical Institute Renton
Peninsula College came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. More on Peninsula College
Faith Evangelical College And Seminary placed #35 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Washington. Read more about Faith Evangelical College And Seminary
Gary Manuel Aveda Institute landed the #36 spot for value in Washington this year. Read more about Gary Manuel Aveda Institute
Highline Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. See the full Highline Community College profile
Spokane Falls Community College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Spokane Falls Community College
Uei College Tacoma offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. More on Uei College Tacoma
Digipen Institute Of Technology ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Digipen Institute Of Technology profile
Edmonds Community College came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Edmonds Community College
Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. More on Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies
International Beauty Education Center placed #43 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Washington. Read the full report on International Beauty Education Center
Seattle Community College Central Campus ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Seattle Community College Central Campus profile
Perry Technical Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Read the full report on Perry Technical Institute
Shoreline Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Get the full Shoreline Community College report
Wenatchee Valley College came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. More on Wenatchee Valley College
Columbia Basin College placed #48 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Washington. Get the full Columbia Basin College report
Bellevue College
Bellevue College came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Bellevue College
Glen Dow Academy Of Hair Design placed #50 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Washington. Read more about Glen Dow Academy Of Hair Design
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 17 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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