Best Online Colleges in Washington for 2024

Get detailed info on Best Online Colleges in Washington and their online degrees, financial aid and scholarships, acceptance rate, tuition and fees.

Washington, the capital of the United States is well-known for its educational system. The state has more than 40 institutions only for higher education. Colleges in United State famous for research, technical schools, and religious schools are in Washington.  

Washington Student Achievement Council was formed to introduce online education into most of the schools and colleges to increase the opportunities in online education. This council was mainly initiated to make sure that maximum people between the ages of 25–40 get their post-graduation degree. There are many organizations which work tirelessly for the success of online students and online education.

Opportunities for college education in Washington State

Washington being a part of State Authorisation Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) helps students living in other states make participation easier in the online education. Washington is also part of Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) which helps the students in Washington to get them trained from universities and colleges in other states. Students studying in their local colleges can get a high-quality education from colleges outside the state through distant education learning.

National Centre for Educational Statistics (NCES) states that there are about 87 degree-granting colleges in Washington which are divided into 20 Private for profit, 24 Private-not-for-profit, and 40 Public schools. The report also tells us that about 6.7% of students pursue online education and among this 32.8% of students are from the Washington state itself. There are about 5.9% of students who are undergraduates. The total number of student enrollment in the year 2016 was 366,162 and the total number of degrees awarded in 2015-2016 was 30,591 Associate's Degree, 33,598 Bachelor's Degree, 9,750 Master's Degree and 2,591 Doctoral Degrees. 

The best online colleges in Washington state offers different varieties of courses for students with a diverse curriculum. It is working continuously towards achieving great heights.

The following is a list of top online colleges in Washington State in 2019.

Washington State University (WSU)
#

1 Washington State University (WSU)

Pullman, Washington


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 83%

Average Financial Aid: $9,368

Acceptance Rate: 72.00

Total Programs Offered (23)


7

Business Management Programs

3

Engineering Programs

3

Agriculture Programs

10

Other Programs


Washington State University (WSU) is a public institution with the campus size of 1,742 acres and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). It offers a wide range of academic options which includes degree programs through the College of Business, Engineering, and Education.

A cumulative GPA of 3.50 is required to get into WSU. More than 80% of the students at this university receive some kind of financial aid and the average grant or scholarship amount is $10,972.

The ‘Collegiate Athletic Association’ of this university is a part of the NCAA I. WSU also offers many student services which includes nonremedial tutoring, women’s center, placement service, health service, and insurance. For fraternities and sororities, there are about 300 clubs and organizations to enroll in.

Gonzaga University
#

2 Gonzaga University

Spokane, Washington


Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit

Financial Aid Percentage: 99%

Average Financial Aid: $19,529

Acceptance Rate: 67.00

Total Programs Offered (33)


10

Education Programs

7

Business Management Programs

7

Nursing Programs

9

Other Programs


Gonzaga University is a highly rated private, Roman Catholic university. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on College and Universities (NWCCU). It provides degree and certificate programs in majors such as Business, Psychology, and Mechanical Engineering.

An average GPA of 3.78 and SAT Math score of 630 is required for admission in here. Along with that, an average SAT score of 1260 and an ACT score of 28 are also needed. Almost 99% of students receive financial aid from this university and the average amount of financial aid is $26,856.

It offers more than 140 clubs and student government, student publications, leadership development, outdoors programs and resource for transfer veteran and resulting adults. This university is ranked 4th in ‘Regional Universities West’ by the US News and World Report.

Central Washington University (CWU)
#

3 Central Washington University (CWU)

Ellensburg, Washington


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 80%

Average Financial Aid: $7,749

Acceptance Rate: 80.00

Total Programs Offered (45)


15

Education Programs

12

Business Management Programs

4

Information Systems Programs

14

Other Programs


Central Washington University (CWU) is a public institution that is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The most well-liked majors include Business Management, Marketing, Social sciences, Homeland Security, Firefighting, etc.

CWU has consistently been ranked as one of the best value colleges in the nation by leading magazines and websites. CWU’s online Master of Science degree program has been ranked among the top ten in the nation.

Around 62% of the full-time undergraduates receive financial aid, and the average grant award sponsored is $7,706. CWU has around 130 clubs and organizations for the undergraduates from the Rodeo Club to the Trombone studio. The ‘CWU Wildcats’ compete in the NCAA Division II Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC).

University of Washington (UW)
#

4 University of Washington (UW)

Seattle, Washington


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 42%

Average Financial Aid: $13,126

Acceptance Rate: 45.00

Total Programs Offered (27)


7

Business Management Programs

6

Education Programs

5

Engineering Programs

9

Other Programs


University of Washington (UW) is a public institution and is one of the oldest public universities in West Coast. The university has a College of Engineering, School of Medicine, and School of Business which are on the top tier of institutes for providing programs in Engineering, Medical, and Business.

Prospective students must apply through the ‘Coalition Application’ and complete additional UW questions, according to the UW office of admissions website.

In this university, around 40% of full-time undergraduates receive financial aid and the average scholarship and grant award is $15,550. It offers a number of student services, Including nonremedial tutoring, Women’s center, Placement service, Daycare, Health services, Health Insurance. It is also a part of NCAA I and regularly takes part in various sports in Division I for college sports.

Shoreline Community College
#

5 Shoreline Community College

Shoreline, Washington


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 51%

Average Financial Aid: $5,371

Acceptance Rate: Request Info

Total Programs Offered (50)


20

Business Management Programs

7

Accounting Programs

6

Education Programs

17

Other Programs


Shoreline Community College is a public institution whose accreditation has been given by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The institution offers over 90 different majors which include Business, Computer Science, Music, Psychology and more.

The school provides distance education, employment services for students, credit for life experience, remedial services and also placement services for completers. Almost 30% of undergraduates receive grants or scholarship aid and the average financial aid amount sums up to $5,197.

Shoreline provides more than 50 professional and technical programs leading to an Associate of Applied Arts and Science degree. The college does not require a TOEFL, IELTS or SAT for admissions.

Eastern Washington University (EWU)
#

6 Eastern Washington University (EWU)

Chiney, Washington


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 70%

Average Financial Aid: $7,521

Acceptance Rate: 95.00

Total Programs Offered (17)


5

Psychology Programs

4

Interdisciplinary Studies Programs

2

Health Science Programs

6

Other Programs


Eastern Washington University (EWU) is a public university which has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The most popular majors at this university include Business, Management, Marketing, Biological, Biomedical Science and Social Science.

It provides financial aid to 52% of its students. The university uses the ‘EWU-access’ wireless network which is accessible with your net id and password that are given at the time of admission. This university offers Internship and Workshop to the students for more exposure in academic and non-academic activities.

It is home to a number of unique research institutes and center in the state. EWU is a part of NCAA I and participates in various sports. It also offers club, intramural, and varsity sports.

Heritage University
#

7 Heritage University

Toppenish, Washington


Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit

Financial Aid Percentage: 100%

Average Financial Aid: $19,126

Acceptance Rate: Request Info

Total Programs Offered (4)


2

Literature Programs

2

Education Programs


Heritage University is a private university accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Lab Sciences, Professional Educator Standards Board, Washington State Nursing Quality Assurance Commission and by the Council on Social Work Education. This is the only university to be designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution.

The university offers a wide range of undergraduate degrees such as American Indian studies, American Cultural Studies, Accounting, Biology, Business Administration, Criminal Justice and much more. This college also offers many Graduate degrees, Non-degree certificate programs and also many special programs. HU is also a veteran-friendly college which offers many services to the veterans as well as the veterans dependent.

Around 91% of Heritage students receive financial aid. A total of $4 million is annually given by the institution. There are about 25 student clubs in which the students can join in for co-curricular activities apart from academics.

#

8 Walla Walla Community College (WWCC)

Walla Walla, Washington


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 75%

Average Financial Aid: $5,331

Acceptance Rate: Request Info

Total Programs Offered (8)


3

Education Programs

2

Agriculture Programs

1

Business Management Program

2

Other Programs


Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) is a public institution in the south-eastern part. The topmost degree offered at WWCC is the Associate Degree. It has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Students can receive certificates of 19 different fields. Programs which are offered for these degrees are Professions in Health and Related Programs, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Nursing, and Business Management Marketing and Related Support Services. Predominantly, a cumulative GPA of 3.5 is required to get admission.

40% of the undergraduates receive grant award or average scholarship of $5,264. The athletic division of this college competes with the NWAC. The retention rate of this college is 67%.

This institution serves veterans through a number of different programs, and also to the dependents of the veterans. It provides Distance Education, Employment opportunities, etc.

Charter College
#

9 Charter College

Vancouver, Washington


Institution Type: Private For-Profit

Financial Aid Percentage: 81%

Average Financial Aid: $4,683

Acceptance Rate: Request Info

Total Programs Offered (14)


7

Business Management Programs

3

Computer Science Programs

2

Health Science Programs

2

Other Programs


Charter College is a private, for-profit college which is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education School (ABHES). It offers many Certificate programs in courses which include Business, Information Technology, Trades, and Aviation.

Charter also offers many degrees and distance education facilities. Credit earned in this college and can be transferred to another college. The college has an open admission policy and accepts all the applications with minimum GPA requirements.

It is a military friendly college and gives financial assistance to the veteran and military candidates with the collaboration of the U.S. Department of Veteran Benefits. Financial aid is available for qualified one’s only. The students can also find many other options available to pay their educational costs.

#

10 University of Washington-Tacoma

Tacoma, Washington


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 78%

Average Financial Aid: $13,120

Acceptance Rate: 84.00

Total Programs Offered (1)


1

Criminal Justice Program


University of Washington Tacoma (UW Tacoma) is a splendid public university which is a branch of the University of Washington. This is an institution whose accreditation is given by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The UW Tacoma is ranked 35th out of 129 for ‘Best Colleges for Information Technology in America’.

This institution provides a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs so that students have a wide variety of options for their college degree.

A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required to get admission here. The SAT score should lie in-between 980 to 1190 and the ACT score should lie between 18 to 24.

The VMRC i.e. Veteran and Military Resource Centre at the institution performs as a liaison for the veteran undergraduates and graduates bestowing assistance throughout the campus. The VMRC also supplies campus programming that works as a welfare to the students who come from a military background.