2026 Best Value Teaching Schools in Washington
Looking for the best-value Teaching degree programs in Washington? We have ranked 97 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Teaching Degree Search evaluated 20 schools to build 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 Teaching Degree Schools in Washington
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Spokane Falls Community College tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Teaching degree schools in Washington. Located in Spokane, WA, Spokane Falls Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,461, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Spokane Falls Community College Teaching students take on a median of $17,031 in debt. Spokane Falls Community College alumni report median earnings of $38,955 a decade after entry. Set against $17,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Spokane Falls Community College
Clark College came in at #2 on this year's best-value Teaching ranking in Washington. Based in Vancouver, WA, Clark College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,183. The median Teaching program debt is $15,432. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,356. That is a strong return on a $15,432 median debt. Get the full Clark College report
Central Washington University came in at #3 on this year's best-value Teaching ranking in Washington. Located in Ellensburg, WA, Central Washington University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. The median Teaching program debt is $21,988. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,580. That is a strong return on a $21,988 median debt. About 91% of those who apply are admitted. More on Central Washington University
Western Washington University came in at #4 on this year's best-value Teaching ranking in Washington. Western Washington University is a public school based in Bellingham, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Western Washington University Teaching students take on a median of $20,361 in debt. Western Washington University alumni report median earnings of $62,569 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,361 median debt. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants. Get the full Western Washington University report
A rank of #5 makes University Of Washington Bothell Campus one of the best values in Washington. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public school based in Bothell, WA. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Typical Teaching student debt is $15,636. Median earnings reach $78,466 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $15,636 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%. Read the full report on University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Washington State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Located in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Typical Teaching student debt is $21,903. Washington State University alumni report median earnings of $68,905 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%. Read more about Washington State University
Eastern Washington University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. This public school is set in Cheney, WA. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Eastern Washington University Teaching students take on a median of $21,754 in debt. Median earnings reach $57,897 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 91% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Eastern Washington University
Seattle University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Seattle University is a private not-for-profit school based in Seattle, WA. Students from in state pay about $56,721 in tuition and fees. Seattle University Teaching students take on a median of $22,289 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $75,272 ten years after entry. Set against $22,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted. See the full Seattle University profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Based in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete their Teaching program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $78,466. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%. Read more about University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Heritage University placed #10 among the best-value Teaching schools in Washington. Based in Toppenish, WA, Heritage University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,928 in tuition and fees. Typical Teaching student debt is $19,148. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,416 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,148 median debt. Read more about Heritage University
City University Of Seattle placed #11 among the best-value Teaching schools in Washington. Located in Seattle, WA, City University Of Seattle is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,929. The median Teaching program debt is $18,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $69,460 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full City University Of Seattle profile
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #12 among the best-value Teaching schools in Washington. This public school is set in Tacoma, WA. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical Teaching student debt is $16,151. Median earnings reach $78,466 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,151 median debt. About 82% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Whitworth University offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Based in Spokane, WA, Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,880. Whitworth University Teaching students take on a median of $26,051 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $58,561. Set against $26,051 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%. See the full Whitworth University profile
Gonzaga University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete their Teaching program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,892 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,188 median debt. Gonzaga University has an acceptance rate of 82%. Get the full Gonzaga University report
Saint Martins University came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lacey, WA. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,510. The median Teaching program debt is $22,818. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,092. That is a strong return on a $22,818 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Saint Martins University report
Seattle Pacific University offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Seattle Pacific University is a private not-for-profit school based in Seattle, WA. In-state tuition and fees average $40,407. Graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. 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
Pacific Lutheran University offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Based in Tacoma, WA, Pacific Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $50,916. The median Teaching program debt is $23,667. Pacific Lutheran University alumni report median earnings of $66,990 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Pacific Lutheran University
Northwest University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Based in Kirkland, WA, Northwest University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,035. Students borrow a median of $22,439 to complete their Teaching program here. 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. About 83% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Northwest University profile
University Of Puget Sound came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Based in Tacoma, WA, University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,898. University Of Puget Sound Teaching students take on a median of $25,287 in debt. Median earnings reach $69,594 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Puget Sound has an acceptance rate of 72%. Get the full University Of Puget Sound report
Antioch University Seattle landed the #20 spot for value in Washington this year. Set in Seattle, WA, Antioch University Seattle is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,260. The median Teaching program debt is $29,832. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,541 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Antioch University Seattle
Uei College Tacoma placed #21 among the best-value Teaching schools in Washington. Get the full Uei College Tacoma report
Gary Manuel Aveda Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Get the full Gary Manuel Aveda Institute report
Aveda Institute Portland Vancouver Campus landed the #23 spot for value in Washington this year. Read more about Aveda Institute Portland Vancouver Campus
Divers Institute Of Technology ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. See the full Divers Institute Of Technology profile
The Evergreen State College placed #25 among the best-value Teaching schools in Washington. See the full The Evergreen State College profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Teaching Degree Schools in Washington
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Grays Harbor College landed the #26 spot for value in Washington this year. Read more about Grays Harbor College
Highline Community College placed #27 among the best-value Teaching schools in Washington. See the full Highline Community College profile
Seattle Community College South Campus came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Seattle Community College South Campus
Pacific Northwest University Of Health Sciences came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. More on Pacific Northwest University Of Health Sciences
Bellingham Technical College placed #30 among the best-value Teaching schools in Washington. More on Bellingham Technical College
Big Bend Community College placed #31 among the best-value Teaching schools in Washington. Get the full Big Bend Community College report
Stylemaster College Of Hair Design ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. See the full Stylemaster College Of Hair Design profile
Northwest School Of Wooden Boat Building offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. More on Northwest School Of Wooden Boat Building
Whitworth University Adult Degree Programs ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Get the full Whitworth University Adult Degree Programs report
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. See the full Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline profile
Paul Mitchell The School Spokane came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Paul Mitchell The School Spokane report
Faith Evangelical College And Seminary placed #37 among the best-value Teaching schools in Washington. Get the full Faith Evangelical College And Seminary report
Skagit Valley College placed #38 among the best-value Teaching schools in Washington. See the full Skagit Valley College profile
Seattle Community College North Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. See the full Seattle Community College North Campus profile
Whitman College
Whitman College came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Whitman College
Spokane Community College landed the #41 spot for value in Washington this year. Get the full Spokane Community College report
Shoreline Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read more about Shoreline Community College
Seattle Film Institute placed #43 among the best-value Teaching schools in Washington. Get the full Seattle Film Institute report
Perry Technical Institute ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read more about Perry Technical Institute
Zorganics Institute Of Beauty And Wellness ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. More on Zorganics Institute Of Beauty And Wellness
Gene Juarez Academy Of Beauty Federal Way came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. See the full Gene Juarez Academy Of Beauty Federal Way profile
Great Northern University offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. More on Great Northern University
Academy Of Interactive Entertainment Seattle came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. More on Academy Of Interactive Entertainment Seattle
Northwest College Of Art And Design offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Get the full Northwest College Of Art And Design report
Northwest Indian College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Get the full Northwest Indian College report
More Teaching Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 · 20 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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