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.
#1
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA
Net Price
$35,119/yr
Median Earnings
$78,892
Grad Rate
87%
Education Share
1.5%
#2
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA
Net Price
$14,091/yr
Median Earnings
$78,466
Grad Rate
84%
Education Share
2.5%
#3
University of Washington-Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA
Net Price
$12,319/yr
Median Earnings
$78,466
Grad Rate
67%
Education Share
3.4%
#4
Whitworth University
Spokane, WA
Net Price
$26,534/yr
Median Earnings
$58,561
Grad Rate
70%
Education Share
12.3%
#5
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA
Net Price
$19,589/yr
Median Earnings
$66,990
Grad Rate
70%
Education Share
5.9%
#6
Antioch University-Seattle
Seattle, WA
Net Price
—
Median Earnings
$51,541
Grad Rate
—
Education Share
69.2%
#7
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA
Net Price
$24,488/yr
Median Earnings
$64,506
Grad Rate
62%
Education Share
10.3%
#8
North Seattle College
Seattle, WA
Net Price
$10,740/yr
Median Earnings
$47,728
Grad Rate
33%
Education Share
44.5%
#9
University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, WA
Net Price
$38,394/yr
Median Earnings
$69,594
Grad Rate
68%
Education Share
0.5%
#10
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA
Net Price
$21,193/yr
Median Earnings
$62,569
Grad Rate
65%
Education Share
7.0%
#11
Washington State University
Pullman, WA
Net Price
$14,971/yr
Median Earnings
$68,905
Grad Rate
61%
Education Share
3.5%
#12
Northwest University
Kirkland, WA
Net Price
$22,288/yr
Median Earnings
$54,914
Grad Rate
67%
Education Share
8.0%
#13
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA
Net Price
$18,476/yr
Median Earnings
$61,580
Grad Rate
52%
Education Share
13.9%
#14
Walla Walla University
College Place, WA
Net Price
$23,329/yr
Median Earnings
$61,885
Grad Rate
62%
Education Share
5.4%
#15
Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA
Net Price
$28,119/yr
Median Earnings
$62,092
Grad Rate
55%
Education Share
7.7%
#16
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Kirkland, WA
Net Price
$6,817/yr
Median Earnings
$50,669
Grad Rate
38%
Education Share
25.7%
#17
Renton Technical College
Renton, WA
Net Price
$8,296/yr
Median Earnings
$49,782
Grad Rate
50%
Education Share
15.6%
#18
Heritage University
Toppenish, WA
Net Price
$14,598/yr
Median Earnings
$49,416
Grad Rate
46%
Education Share
18.6%
#19
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA
Net Price
$13,886/yr
Median Earnings
$57,897
Grad Rate
45%
Education Share
10.5%
#20
Wenatchee Valley College
Wenatchee, WA
Net Price
$9,722/yr
Median Earnings
$41,127
Grad Rate
41%
Education Share
17.4%
#21
Highline College
Des Moines, WA
Net Price
$9,879/yr
Median Earnings
$47,869
Grad Rate
37%
Education Share
14.2%
#22
Walla Walla Community College
Walla Walla, WA
Net Price
$9,406/yr
Median Earnings
$43,526
Grad Rate
43%
Education Share
11.1%
#23
Big Bend Community College
Moses Lake, WA
Net Price
$12,210/yr
Median Earnings
$43,814
Grad Rate
39%
Education Share
13.4%
#24
Yakima Valley College
Yakima, WA
Net Price
$11,843/yr
Median Earnings
$43,499
Grad Rate
31%
Education Share
18.4%
#25
Centralia College
Centralia, WA
Net Price
$9,862/yr
Median Earnings
$43,140
Grad Rate
44%
Education Share
8.1%
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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