For students who are looking for a nonprofit university or college with a strong online curriculum based out of Washington, we have compiled a list of some of our top picks from the state. This list was compiled by assessing tuition cost, as well as amount and type of programs available.
Our Best Online Colleges in Washington State
#1. City University of Seattle
Established in 1973, City University of Seattle is a private university located in Seattle, Washington. Founded by Dr. Michael A. Pastore, City University of Seattle was created in order to provide people from the inner city of Seattle with the opportunity for an education. While most schools in the area focused on providing traditional educations to traditional students, City University of Seattle was designed to work with working adults. Recognizing that there was an entire underserved demographic of students, Dr. Michael A. Pastore designed a school that would be suited towards their needs. Opened as City College in 1973, City University of Seattle operated curriculums that would be best for those who worked traditional job schedule. Proving to be very popular among nontraditional students, City University of Seattle quickly began to attract more students into its programs. With the addition of more students into its programs, the City University of Seattle began to expand to add additional campuses all over the world. This model of education proved to be very successful as City University of Seattle entered into the 21st century. Today, City University of Seattle enrolls a student body of just over 6,700 students.
Featured Programs
Students at City University of Seattle are able to choose from a large selection of academic programs made available at the institution. Currently, students are able to choose from over a dozen different undergraduate degrees as well as over a dozen different graduate degrees. Many of these programs are also offered to students entirely online. By offering these programs online, City University of Seattle has ranked among our top online universities and colleges in Washington. City University of Seattle is a private institution.
Accreditation: City University of Seattle is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Tuition: $479/credit
Click here for a list of City University of Seattle’s online programs.
#2. Saint Martin’s University
A Catholic university, Saint Martin’s University was established with the motto “Think with heart”. Founded by monks of the Benedictine Order, Saint Martin’s University was first established in 1895. Originally operating as an all-boys boarding school, Saint Martin’s University was originally known as Saint Martin’s Abbey. Designed to educate students about Catholic traditions, Saint Martin’s Abbey soon began to expand the scope of academic programs offered at the institution. By 1900, Saint Martin’s Abbey was offering different college-level courses to students enrolled with the school. However, it wasn’t until 1940 that the school had officially been given the capacity to grant degrees to students. With the addition of fully accredited degree programs, Saint Martin’s University was able to attract more students into its programs. As more students flocked to the school, Saint Martin’s University had to add additional degree programs in order to meet the academic needs of the new student population. Eventually adding graduate programs to its selection of academic programs, Saint Martin’s University, then known as Saint Martin’s College, was renamed to Saint Martin’s University. Today, Saint Martin’s University enrolls a student body of over 1,400 students.
Home of the Saints, Saint Martin’s University has organized a robust selection of academic programs for students to enroll in. At this time, Saint Martin’s University is offering students over twenty different Bachelor’s programs as well as seven different graduate degrees to choose from. A selection of these programs are offered to students entirely online, helping Saint Martin’s University to rank among our top online universities and colleges in Washington. Saint Martin’s University is a private institution.
Accreditation: Saint Martin’s University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Tuition: $495/credit
Click here for a list of Saint Martin’s University’s online programs.
#3. Western Washington University
A public university, Western Washington University was founded in 1893. Established with the motto “Active Minds Changing Lives”, Western Washington University was originally known as the Northwest Normal School. Created in order to train teachers, the Northwest Normal School initially only enrolled female students. Moving from its original location in Lynden, Washington to its current location in Bellingham in 1886, Western Washington University enrolled its first class of students in 1899. Over the course of the coming decades, Western Washington University would undergo a series of different name changes. Known as the State Normal School at Whatcom in 1901, the school was renamed in 1904 to Washington State Normal School at Bellingham. The school then added a set of four-year degree programs in 1937 which prompted another name change to the Western Washington College of Education. In 1962, the school was renamed to Western Washington State College and then finally to Western Washington University in 1977 after receiving university status. Known as the Vikings, the student body at Western Washington University currently tops out at over 15,000 students.
Western Washington University maintains a large selection of academic programs for students to choose to enroll in. At the time of this writing, Western Washington University offers a total of over 160 different academic programs including undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degree programs. Offering a large selection of these programs to students entirely online, Western Washington University has earned a place among our top online universities and colleges in Washington. Western Washington University is a public institution.
Accreditation: Western Washington University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Tuition: $727/credit
Click here for a list of Western Washington University’s online programs.
#4. Pacific Lutheran University
Established in 1890, Pacific Lutheran University is a private research university in Washington. Located in Parkland, just outside of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University was originally created by a group of Norwegian pioneers. Having recently settled the area, the group of Norwegian pioneers wanted to create an institution of higher learning that served those of the Lutheran faith. They knew that more pioneers would be making their way to the state and they wanted the institution to help prepare and train them for their new lives. At the beginning, known as the Pacific Lutheran Academy, the school was eventually renamed to the Pacific Lutheran Academy and Business College in 1898. With the addition of business degrees into its academic programs, Pacific Lutheran Academy and Business College began to flourish. The institution continued to operate until 1918 at which point operations of the school were suspended. This was decided in order to better facilitate a merger between the nearby Columbia College. By 1920, the consolidation between Columbia College was completed and the school was officially renamed to Pacific Lutheran College. The school then merged with the nearby Spokane College in 1929 and was finally renamed to Pacific Lutheran University after receiving university status in 1960. Today, Pacific Lutheran University enrolls a student body of over 3,100 students.
Home of the Lutes, Pacific Lutheran University has established a wide-ranging curriculum of academic programs for its student body. At this time, Pacific Lutheran University offers dozens of undergraduate degree programs as well as a similar number of graduate degree programs to its students. Offering a selection of these programs to students entirely online, Pacific Lutheran University has now been ranked among our top online universities and colleges in Washington. Pacific Lutheran University is a private institution.
Accreditation: Pacific Lutheran University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Tuition: $790/credit
Click here for a list of Pacific Lutheran University’s online programs.
#5. Northwest University
A Christian university, Northwest University was first founded in 1934. Located just outside of Seattle in Kirkland, Washington, Northwest University was founded on the motto “Carry the Call: Heart, Head, Hand”. Founded by the Northwest Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God USA, Northwest Institute was originally known as the Bible Institute. A group dedicated in order to further the word of god, the Northwest Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God USA decided to create the new Bible Institute after their annual meeting in 1928. In 1949, the school was renamed to the Northwest Bible College following an expansion of the academic programs made available at the school. At this time in the school’s history, students were finally able to enroll in both three and four-year degree programs. This change brought about a surge in enrollment at the newly established school. In 1962, the Northwest Bible College was renamed to the Northwest College of the Assemblies of the God in order to more clearly show its association with the Northwest Ministries of the Assemblies of the God USA. Finally, the school was renamed to Northwest University in 2005. Now a full-fledged university, Northwest University is home to a student body of 1,700 students.
Students at Northwest University are fortunate to have the ability to select from a wide-ranging collection of academic programs made available at the institution. Currently, Northwest University offers over fifty different undergraduate programs as well as five Master’s programs. A selection of these programs is also made available to students entirely online. Through this online offering, Northwest University has ranked among our top online universities and colleges in Washington. Northwest University is a private institution.
Accreditation: Northwest University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Tuition: $863/credit
Click here for a list of Northwest University’s online programs.
#6. Gonzaga University
Founded in 1887, Gonzaga University is located in Spokane, Washington. A Catholic university, Gonzaga University was established on the motto “For the Greater Glory of God”. Established by the Society of Jesus, Gonzaga University was originally named Gonzaga College. Gonzaga College is named after the Jesuit Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. Founded by Father Joseph Cataldo, SJ, Gonzaga College was originally created in order to serve the Native American population of Spokane, Washington. An Italian-born missionary and priest, Father Joseph Cataldo, SJ, wanted to educate the Native American population on the Roman Catholic faith as well as the accumulated knowledge of Western society. However, the school quickly became popular with other eager students in the area. As more students began to enroll at Gonzaga College, the school was forced to add on to its curriculum in order to provide students with the academic experiences they were seeking out. By 1912, the school has been renamed to Gonzaga University after adding graduate-level programs into its curriculum. Home of the Bulldogs, Gonzaga University now enrolls a student body of over 7,500 students.
Gonzaga University has amassed a quality selection of academic programs for students to enroll in at the university. Currently, Gonzaga University is offering over ninety different fields of study for those seeking out an undergraduate degree program as well as over twenty-five graduate level degrees. Gonzaga University also offers a selection of these programs to students entirely online. This commitment to online learning has ranked Gonzaga University among the top online universities and colleges in Washington. Gonzaga University is a private institution.
Accreditation: Gonzaga University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Tuition: $1,176/credit
#7. Eastern Washington University
A public university, Eastern Washington University was founded in 1882. Located in Cheney, Washington, Eastern Washington University was founded by Benjamin Pierce Cheney. Offering a grant of $10,000 to help found the new school, Benjamin Pierce Cheney became integral to the history of Eastern Washington University and was actually the namesake for the school’s original name. Known as the Benjamin P. Cheney Academy, the school began accepting students into its ranks in 1882. Seven years later the school was renamed to the State Normal School at Cheney referring to the town the school was located in which had also been named after Benjamin P. Cheney. Created in order to educate teachers that would then go on to work in the schools throughout the state, the State Normal School at Cheney continued to educate teachers into the early 1900s. In 1937, the school was renamed to the Eastern Washington College of Education. Following World War II and the GI Bill, Eastern Washington College of Education experienced a surge in enrollment. This called for rapid expansion of academic programs at the school resulting in the school being renamed to Eastern Washington State College in order to reflect the updated curriculum. Finally, the Washington Legislature renamed the school to Eastern Washington University in 1977. Today, Eastern Washington University enrolls a student body of over 12,600 students.
Home of the Eagles, Eastern Washington University has created an expansive catalog of academic programs for students to choose to enroll in. Students at Eastern Washington University can choose from over 100 different fields of undergraduate study as well as ten Master’s degree, and fifty-five graduate programs. A large selection of these programs are also offered by Eastern Washington University entirely online. By offering these programs online, Eastern Washington University has ranked among our top online universities and colleges in Washington. Eastern Washington University is a public institution.
Accreditation: Eastern Washington University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Tuition: $1,305/credit
Click here for a list of Eastern Washington University’s online programs.
#8. Central Washington University
Established in 1891, Central Washington University is a public university. Located in Ellensburg, Central Washington University was originally established as the Washington State Normal School. Founded with the motto “By teaching we learn”, the Washington State Normal School’s original mission was to help train teachers that would then go on to work within the public school systems within the state. Originally operating out of the Washington Public School in Ellensburg, the Washington State Normal School moved into its own facilities in 1893. With its own facilities, the Washington State Normal School began to slowly expand its curriculum to encompass different academic programs outside the scope of education. Eventually adding undergraduate degree programs into its curriculum, the school was renamed to Central Washington College of Education in order to better communicate to potential students the kind of degrees being offered at the school. After receiving university status, the school was then renamed to its current name of Central Washington University. Having become well-known for the quality of its education degrees, Central Washington University has also established a strong selection of additional academic programs. Today, Central Washington University enrolls almost 12,000 students.
Students at Central Washington University can choose from a large selection of academic programs maintained by the university. Currently, Central Washington University offers students hundreds of programs including undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degrees. A selection of these programs are also made available to students online helping Central Washington University to rank among our top online universities and colleges in Washington. Central Washington University is a public institution.
Accreditation: Central Washington University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Tuition: $1,342/credit
Click here for a list of Central Washington University’s online programs.
#9. Washington State University
Located in Pullman, Washington, Washington State University is a public research university. Established in 1890, Washington State University is colloquially known as “Wazzu”. Known as Washington State College, originally Washington State University was soon renamed to the Washington Agricultural College and School of Science. Focusing on agricultural science and topics of science engineering, the Washington Agricultural College and School of Science soon began to expand its curriculum and academic offerings. In 1905, the school was renamed to State College of Washington. This name change was to better reflect that the school was now offering more than agricultural science and science-related degree programs. At this point, most people referred to the school by the name Washington State College. This eventually informed the school’s final name change in 1959 to Washington State University. Washington State University was fast to add different types of degree programs to its offerings. The school was offering students graduate degree programs as early as 1902. Today, Washington State University enrolls a student body of over 30,000 students.
Home of the Cougars, Washington State University has amassed a large selection of academic programs for students to enroll in with the institution. At this time, students are afforded the opportunity to choose from over 200 different degrees across the school’s undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate offerings. Washington State University has also made a selection of these academic programs available to students entirely online, helping the school to earn a place among our top online universities and colleges in Washington. Washington State University is a public institution.
Accreditation: Washington State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Tuition: $1,361/credit
Click here for a list of Washington State University’s online programs.
#10. University of Washington
Founded in 1861, the University of Washington is a public research university. Founded on the motto “Let there be light”, the University of Washington is located in Seattle. In the early 1850s, Governor Isaac Stevens began calling for the creation of a university that would serve the Washington territory. This set off a search for a potential site for a new school within the territory. After scouting various locations throughout the state, it was decided that the school would be located in Seattle. In 1861, the University of Washington was opened as the Territorial University of Washington. However, the school’s early history was somewhat rocky. Closing three different times in its first couple of decades, the Territorial University of Washington began to hit its stride after entering the Union in 1899. Having grown in lockstep with Seattle, the University of Washington had become crucial to help define the identity of the now iconic Washington city. Over the coming decades, the University of Washington would continue to grow to become one of the premier universities within the state of Washington. Today, the University of Washington is classified as having R1 Doctoral Research levels by the Carnegie Institute and is now home to a student body of just under 47,000 students.
Students at the University of Washington can choose from a large selection of academic programs offered by the institution. At this time, the University of Washington offers students hundreds of different academic programs including undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degree programs. A large selection of these programs are also offered to students entirely online. This online offering has helped the University of Washingto to secure a place among our top online universities and colleges in Washington. University of Washington is a public institution.
Accreditation: University of Washington is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Tuition: $1,518/credit
Click here for a list of University of Washington’s online programs.
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