Best Education Programs in Washington (2026)
Education programs in Washington prepare students for K-12 teaching, special education, and educational leadership. The schools below are ranked by program strength, certification pass rates (where available), and net price — important for a field where starting salaries are modest.
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#1
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA
Net Price
$32,750/yr
Median Earnings
$89,110
Grad Rate
86%
Education Share
1.9%
#2
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA
Net Price
$13,663/yr
Median Earnings
$83,105
Grad Rate
85%
Education Share
2.7%
#3
University of Washington-Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA
Net Price
$13,802/yr
Median Earnings
$83,105
Grad Rate
67%
Education Share
3.3%
#4
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA
Net Price
$11,900/yr
Median Earnings
$83,105
Grad Rate
62%
Education Share
1.6%
#5
Whitworth University
Spokane, WA
Net Price
$23,009/yr
Median Earnings
$64,055
Grad Rate
69%
Education Share
9.1%
#6
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA
Net Price
$20,652/yr
Median Earnings
$71,109
Grad Rate
66%
Education Share
3.6%
#7
University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, WA
Net Price
$32,507/yr
Median Earnings
$71,918
Grad Rate
69%
Education Share
0.8%
#8
North Seattle College
Seattle, WA
Net Price
$21,037/yr
Median Earnings
$56,814
Grad Rate
31%
Education Share
38.8%
#9
Washington State University
Pullman, WA
Net Price
$13,462/yr
Median Earnings
$72,280
Grad Rate
62%
Education Share
3.0%
#10
Northwest University
Kirkland, WA
Net Price
$22,071/yr
Median Earnings
$61,237
Grad Rate
69%
Education Share
5.5%
#11
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA
Net Price
$21,201/yr
Median Earnings
$65,578
Grad Rate
52%
Education Share
14.0%
#12
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA
Net Price
$19,963/yr
Median Earnings
$64,305
Grad Rate
63%
Education Share
6.8%
#13
Heritage University
Toppenish, WA
Net Price
$10,747/yr
Median Earnings
$58,279
Grad Rate
55%
Education Share
16.9%
#14
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA
Net Price
$25,419/yr
Median Earnings
$71,277
Grad Rate
59%
Education Share
3.9%
#15
Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA
Net Price
$25,472/yr
Median Earnings
$70,376
Grad Rate
54%
Education Share
6.8%
#16
Walla Walla University
College Place, WA
Net Price
$27,786/yr
Median Earnings
$67,140
Grad Rate
59%
Education Share
3.6%
#17
Renton Technical College
Renton, WA
Net Price
$18,421/yr
Median Earnings
$56,634
Grad Rate
42%
Education Share
21.5%
#18
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Kirkland, WA
Net Price
$25,594/yr
Median Earnings
$56,471
Grad Rate
38%
Education Share
22.8%
#19
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA
Net Price
$13,647/yr
Median Earnings
$62,463
Grad Rate
43%
Education Share
10.8%
#20
Antioch University-Seattle
Seattle, WA
Net Price
—
Median Earnings
$54,447
Grad Rate
—
Education Share
46.4%
#21
Highline College
Des Moines, WA
Net Price
$18,053/yr
Median Earnings
$54,850
Grad Rate
37%
Education Share
13.9%
#22
Wenatchee Valley College
Wenatchee, WA
Net Price
$16,742/yr
Median Earnings
$45,574
Grad Rate
40%
Education Share
18.6%
#23
Spokane Falls Community College
Spokane, WA
Net Price
$19,537/yr
Median Earnings
$42,786
Grad Rate
32%
Education Share
22.6%
#24
Columbia Basin College
Pasco, WA
Net Price
$13,813/yr
Median Earnings
$51,967
Grad Rate
33%
Education Share
14.2%
#25
Skagit Valley College
Mount Vernon, WA
Net Price
$18,835/yr
Median Earnings
$50,327
Grad Rate
35%
Education Share
12.0%
Why a Education degree?
Special Education has 1% unemployment and 98% of districts report difficulty filling roles. Teacher shortages are the most severe in 30+ years.
Common career paths: Elementary Teacher · Special Education Teacher · High School Teacher · School Counselor · Principal/Administrator
Typical starting salary range: $45,000–$65,000
Find your best fit, not just the highest rank
Our 2-minute quiz weights cost, earnings, graduation rate, and other priorities to your family — and matches you to schools that actually fit, not just the top of a list.
Take the fit quiz →Other majors in Washington
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