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Best Value Teaching Schools in Washington

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2023 Best Value Teaching Schools in Washington

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

20 Schools Ranked
$33,637 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$19,760 Avg Student Debt*

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for teaching students. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.

The Best Value Teaching Schools in Washington ranking is one of many tools that Teaching Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 20 schools in Washington to see which ones offered the best value programs for teaching students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top Value Teaching Schools in Washington

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Spokane Falls Community College

Spokane, Washington
107 Total Awards
$5,135 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Spokane Falls Community College to be the best value school for teaching students in Washington. Spokane Falls Community College is a small public school located in Spokane, Washington that handed out 107 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Spokane Falls Community College are $5,135 a year. On average, students take out $16,790 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Spokane Falls Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,050 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Spokane Falls Community College

#2

Clark College

Vancouver, Washington
18 Total Awards
$10,133 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 20 schools in Washington that were part of this year’s ranking, Clark College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Clark College is located in Vancouver, Washington and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Clark College are $10,133 a year. On average, students take out $16,706 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Clark College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,720 during the early year of their career.

Full Clark College Report

#3

Central Washington University

Ellensburg, Washington
692 Total Awards
$25,213 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central Washington University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Teaching Schools in Washington list. CWU is a fairly large public school situated in Ellensburg, Washington. It awarded 692 degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CWU are $25,213 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $22,759 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $204 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from CWU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,823 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Central Washington University

#4

Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington
301 Total Awards
$25,930 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Western Washington University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in Washington list. WWU is located in Bellingham, Washington and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 301 degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WWU are $25,930 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $20,477 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $259 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from WWU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,481 during the early years of their career.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, WWU is ranked #5 for overall quality in Washington.

Read More…

102 Total Awards
$39,780 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means University of Washington - Bothell Campus is a great place for teaching students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. This medium-sized public school is located in Bothell, Washington, and it awarded 102 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UW Bothell are $39,780 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $17,547 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $263. Once they receive their degree, UW Bothell graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $57,527 during the early year of their career.

UW Bothell not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Teaching Schools in Washington list.

Read full report on University of Washington - Bothell Campus

#6

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
713 Total Awards
$27,733 Average Tuition & Fees

Washington State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in Washington list. Located in Pullman, Washington, the large public school awarded 713 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Wazzu are $27,733 a year. On average, students take out $22,489 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $312. During the early years of their career, Wazzu graduates make an average of $49,774 annually.

Wazzu also took the #2 spot in our Best Teaching Schools in Washington rankings.

Read More…

#7

Eastern Washington University

Cheney, Washington
520 Total Awards
$25,748 Average Tuition & Fees

Eastern Washington University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #7 on the list. EWU is a public institution located in Cheney, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 520 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at EWU are $25,748 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,697 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $165 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from EWU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,008 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#8

Seattle University

Seattle, Washington
141 Total Awards
$49,335 Average Tuition & Fees

Seattle University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #8 on the list. Seattle U is located in Seattle, Washington and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 141 degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Seattle U are $49,335 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,543 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $708, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Seattle U graduates make an average of $51,066 annually.

Full Seattle University Report

676 Total Awards
$39,906 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Washington - Seattle Campus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in Washington ranking. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 676 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UW Seattle are $39,906 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,284 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $303, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UW Seattle, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $57,782 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Report

#10

Heritage University

Toppenish, Washington
68 Total Awards
$18,500 Average Tuition & Fees

Heritage University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in Washington list. Heritage University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Toppenish, Washington. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 68 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Heritage University are $18,500 a year. On average, students take out $21,537 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Heritage University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,496 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Heritage University

#11

City University of Seattle

Seattle, Washington
218 Total Awards
$13,658 Average Tuition & Fees

City University of Seattle ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in Washington list. CityU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 218 degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CityU are $13,658 per year. On average, students take out $29,693 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, CityU graduates make an average of $68,145 annually.

Read full report on City University of Seattle

83 Total Awards
$40,026 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Washington - Tacoma Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #12 on the list. University of Washington - Tacoma Campus is a medium-sized public school located in Tacoma, Washington that handed out 83 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UW Tacoma are $40,026 a year. On average, students take out $18,619 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $258, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UW Tacoma, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,004 during the early years of their career.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, UW Tacoma is ranked #3 for overall quality in Washington.

Read More…

#13

Whitworth University

Spokane, Washington
188 Total Awards
$47,590 Average Tuition & Fees

Whitworth University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in Washington ranking. Spokane, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 188 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Whitworth are $47,590 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,989 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $541, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Whitworth graduates make an average of $43,444 annually.

Read full report on Whitworth University

#14

Gonzaga University

Spokane, Washington
100 Total Awards
$48,470 Average Tuition & Fees

Gonzaga University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in Washington list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Spokane, Washington, and it awarded 100 degrees in 2020-2021.

Gonzaga undergraduate students pay an average of $48,470 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $21,118 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $773. Once they receive their degree, Gonzaga graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,213 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Gonzaga University

#15

Saint Martin's University

Lacey, Washington
69 Total Awards
$40,690 Average Tuition & Fees

Saint Martin’s University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in Washington list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Lacey, Washington, and it awarded 69 degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Saint Martin’s are $40,690 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,178 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Saint Martin’s graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,383 during the early year of their career.

Full Saint Martin’s University Report

#16

Seattle Pacific University

Seattle, Washington
486 Total Awards
$35,646 Average Tuition & Fees

Seattle Pacific University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #16 on the list. Seattle Pacific University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 486 degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SPU are $35,646 per year. On average, students take out $23,778 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $394. Once they receive their degree, SPU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,703 during the early year of their career.

Full Seattle Pacific University Report

#17

Pacific Lutheran University

Tacoma, Washington
94 Total Awards
$47,576 Average Tuition & Fees

Pacific Lutheran University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in Washington list. PLU is located in Tacoma, Washington and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 94 degrees to qualified students.

PLU undergraduate students pay an average of $47,576 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $23,517 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $442, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, PLU graduates make an average of $41,047 annually.

PLU did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our Best Teaching Schools in Washington list.

Full Pacific Lutheran University Report

#18

Northwest University

Kirkland, Washington
48 Total Awards
$33,980 Average Tuition & Fees

Northwest University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #18 on the list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Kirkland, Washington, and it awarded 48 degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwest University undergraduate students pay an average of $33,980 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $23,101 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $240, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Northwest University graduates make an average of $43,507 annually.

Read More…

#19

University of Puget Sound

Tacoma, Washington
49 Total Awards
$55,670 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Puget Sound did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in Tacoma, Washington, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 49 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Puget Sound are $55,670 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $21,751 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $922 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Puget Sound graduates make an average of $35,479 annually.

Read full report on University of Puget Sound

#20

Antioch University - Seattle

Seattle, Washington
67 Total Awards
$22,035 Average Tuition & Fees

Antioch University - Seattle came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in Washington ranking. Antioch University - Seattle is a private not-for-profit institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 67 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Antioch University - Seattle are $22,035 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $35,198 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Antioch University - Seattle graduates make an average of $42,051 annually.

Read More…

Best Value Teaching Schools in the Far Western US Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 20 schools only.

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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