2023 Best Colleges for Biology in Washington

• Seattle, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  4,527 reviews

Junior: Love the campus! The coursework is rigorous no matter your major, but there's tons of classes that are so niche and interesting to explore! This school will give you a challenge for sure! Having to apply to your major is a huge downside-- there's a decent chance you might not get to study what you want if the major is competitive and your GPA and statements aren't competitive enough (there's just too many students). Similarly, you can't take major classes until you get accepted into the major (which usually isn't until your junior year), so that can delay the graduation process if you don't schedule and plan your degree right. Because of the large student body, everyone is clawing for everything-- registration for classes is a nightmare, long lines at dining halls and events, etc. (you can expect to sometimes wait more than an hour for food, applying to housing/registration takes hours as well because the server is being filled with so many students).... Read 4,527 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 56%

• Net price $9,661

• SAT range 1200-1470

• Walla Walla, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  394 reviews

Sophomore: Whitman's new president, Sarah Bolton, is an amazing force in her first year 2022/2023. She is visible and engaging with the students, re-doing the school's long-term plan, making changes in several key leadership/administration positions, making strides to attain a more diverse student population, and pursuing a large capital project to secure on campus housing for juniors and seniors. Small class sizes and access to professors is amazing. Academic standards are high, course work rigorous and most students are extremely smart. The well-funded, newly launched career support center is getting traction. Outstanding varsity athletics. Music education/performance are amazing, especially the Jazz Bands and orchestra. The school is very outdoorsy, with each student having an annual allowance to pursue outdoor adventures. Rock climbing and skiing at the local mountain is very popular. Greek scene is just ok. The campus is beautiful and downtown Walla Walla is charming, safe and fun.... Read 394 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 54%

• Net price $38,989

• SAT range 1230-1430

• Pullman, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  3,983 reviews

Sophomore: If you are an in-state student looking for a break from the west side, you cannot go wrong here. While not having access to the same familiar amenities you have the highly urbanized city, neighborhood, or suburb you came from, it has a quiet, walkable downtown area with tons of local restaurants/bars If Greek life isn’t your thing? There is a large and constantly growing community of “geeds” as they call us, lol. But if it is and you can afford it, trust me, there are more than 20 to choose from including many prestigious ones with impressive, wealthy alumni networks. Undergrad access to research is impressive. Alumni network is huge. A very on-the-rise university that is becoming a legitimate research powerhouse too! Overall, you will get the classic, romanticized college experience you are looking for here as an undergraduate. But if you also want to get your hands dirty and have real, tangible, hands-on experience and access to research that employers love so much, become a Coug.... Read 3,983 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 80%

• Net price $17,931

• SAT range 1020-1210

• Seattle, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  1,059 reviews

Junior: I started Seattle pacific about 3 months ago, Seattle pacific is a great school full of great people willing to help anyone, I enjoy the campus Ames library is my favorite spot to be, I lived in Hill hall and life there is really enjoyable, all the people who are there do a great job and bringing students together. From what I experienced, being there is great I made new friends, friends that actually care about me. The classes there are awesome the teacher and the 1 on 1 conversations with your professors are very useful. Something that I kinda don't like is the cafeteria, mainly because there is always something broken, considering the amount of money a student pays there, food should be better other than that there is not much to say about this institution, I love walking around campus, and meeting new people and Seattle pacific has done a good job.... Read 1,059 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 91%

• Net price $28,367

• SAT range 1010-1160

• Spokane, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  941 reviews

Junior: There are many pros and cons. I appreciate the small size of campus, it gives a very strong community feel. I absolutely adore all of the professors on campus, you can tell they love what they do and they all have a great passion for teaching. The food is not great, and the wifi is spotty. Some people can be immature, but I think that is something at every college. I was able to find my community pretty easily, and Whitworth develops a lot of programming to help people find a place for themselves on campus - just make sure to take advantage of it early on! Lastly, the worst part about Whitworth is the overall lack of cultural competence, primarily within the student body. I know many students of color struggle. Whitworth is working towards this issue, and it has gotten better since I started.... Read 941 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 91%

• Net price $25,785

• SAT range 1050-1270

• Spokane, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  1,237 reviews

Graduate Student: Gonzaga University's Doctoral Program of Leadership Studies has been an enriching interdisciplinary experience so far. Since it's mainly remote with some courses requiring on campus immersion for a few days, it's much more accessible and affordable than many other doctoral programs. Additionally, mainly other schools only offer business leadership programs, which are not as comprehensive or as innovative and challenging. I'm pretty far along in the program and am about to announce candidacy and submit my candidacy paper for approval before starting up the dissertation process. I definitely recommend Gonzaga University at the doctoral level, don't let the fact it's a Catholic Jesuit institution deter you. I'm not Catholic, and I've thrived here.... Read 1,237 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 73%

• Net price $36,880

• SAT range 1160-1350

• Seattle, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  980 reviews

Freshman: A little expensive for the quality of education and resources there. Plenty of ADHD and special needs accommodations but services are hard to waitlist/access and the staff isn’t always helpful. Most professors are nice but the quality of education isn’t challenging with well thought out organized lectures to cohesively teach. Dining hall is better compared to most schools but expensive per meal. The students at the school are pretty odd but a good diverse student population. I find that a lot of people have issues with the housing office throughout the year. However, the gym is very nice with decent hours. Big weight room, basketball courts, and cardio equipment. Work study is hard to get a job at this school and the hours are inconvenient. The job extends your hours without pay sometimes. Lots of events from the many clubs and involvement fairs throughout the year though! Really enjoyed the assortment from cultural, extramural sports, games, sporting events and school spirits events.... Read 980 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 83%

• Net price $36,843

• SAT range 1130-1330

• Tacoma, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.48 out of 5  784 reviews

Alum: Choosing University of Puget Sound for college was one of the best decisions of my life! The campus is beautiful, the students are wonderful, and the class sizes are small and intimate, allowing everyone to have a space to explore their own intellectual curiosity and the support to grow it. The faculty and curriculum is perhaps what really makes UPS stand out though. The interdisciplinary nature of the university creates students that are well rounded, insightful, and prepared. While the school may be small, the unique degrees and courses that are offered at UPS make it stand out from other universities.... Read 784 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 87%

• Net price $38,127

• SAT range 1110-1330

• Kirkland, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  563 reviews

Sophomore: I love the persistent effort of Northwest's staff and employees to fight for a culture of love and community on campus. Although sometimes the student leadership could use a lot of improvement, it is overall a good school and an even better experience. The area around it is beautiful, safe, and full of opportunities!... Read 563 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 93%

• Net price $21,825

• SAT range 1010-1230

• Tacoma, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  981 reviews

Junior: Pacific Lutheran University is the absolute best option for a school for me right now in my life. It’s a four-year private Christian university in the Pacific Northwest of Washington State in the city of Tacoma. It has beautiful old Victorian buildings and the campus is overall small, encompassing about 3,000 students yearly. The people are extremely friendly, adventurous, and welcoming, and the professors are very personable and trustworthy people. Students from ALL sorts of backgrounds come to this school, whether “religious” or denominationally affiliated or not. The point is: we’re all here to learn and thrive in our pursuits. The only reason why I give this school a 4 and not a full 5 is because of how expensive it can be. I am riding on all academic scholarships and student loans in order to cover my costs. But don’t let this stop you because your academics will get you in! That is all you truly need.... Read 981 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 86%

• Net price $25,368

• SAT range 1080-1290

• College Place, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  406 reviews

Freshman: Growth, is the single word I would use to describe Walla Walla University. As a freshmen who is currently attending Walla Walla University I have been able experience it in a new way from a different perspective. I described this school as "growth" because this school sets you up with the platform to grow educationally, spiritually, physically, and mentally. This school provides you with majors, professors, tutors, mentors, and more all for you to grow academically. It provides you with opportunities to experience Christ through church, vespers, worships, and more.... Read 406 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $23,598

• SAT range 920-1210

• Bothell, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  544 reviews

Senior: Excellent school. Small intimate classes that allows for your professors to really get to know you. The professors are amazing -- very king and understanding. Beautiful, yet tiny, campus. Ample parking which is awesome!... Read 544 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 88%

• Net price $8,841

• SAT range 1040-1270

• Bellingham, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  2,291 reviews

Senior: I suggest the interdisciplinary concentration through Fairhaven at Western Washington University. It is a chance to combine multiple fields, take the classes that you want to take, and achieve your career goals all at the same time! For example, I am a creative writing and psychology interdisciplinary major. This allows me to take classes in fiction writing, journalism(write for the school paper), as well as complete the psychology prerequisites for Western's Mental Health Counseling Graduate Program! The style of learning is very inclusive to all, and the teachers are top-notch. It is a narrative evaluation system, where you can get far more feedback on your work. You can expect very high-level reading and writing assignments. Fairhaven at Western Washington University all the way!... Read 2,291 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 94%

• Net price $18,398

• SAT range 1080-1270

• Lacey, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  447 reviews

Alum: A true "Home away from home." I just recently graduated from Saint Martin's, and this university has left such an impact on me. Not only did I find some life-long friends of mine that I will cherish forever, but I also received an amazing education in classroom environments that allowed me to learn and connect with the material. There are some parties off-campus, but that's not the focus of the school, and the Campus Life department has some fun events on campus so there's always something to do! Some examples: Casino Night, Spring Fest, Open Mic Nights, Meet a Hypnotist or Magician nights, and MORE! With everyone that you meet at the school, you really see that Saint Martin's "walks the walk", instead of just "talking the talk." I did have to take some loans out to afford the tuition, but in the end it was definitely worth it and I know that I made a great investment in choosing this school for my undergraduate degree.... Read 447 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 94%

• Net price $23,824

• SAT range 950-1140

• Toppenish, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  334 reviews

Freshman: I love how much the school and Professor’s care about each students education. Teachers are very supportive and understanding and hard working. The school staff always reaches out to students about school updates, weather updates, changes about in-person/online classes, etc. The student life is far better than I anticipated and campus food is affordable and delicious! Overall, I am having the absolute best first-year experience at Heritage University!... Read 334 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,356

• SAT range —

• Tacoma, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  444 reviews

Graduate Student: Overall my experience has been great! I am really happy with the outcomes of my studies here. The professor is really knowledgeable and they seem to help the students a lot, the environment has been great, very diverse campus, and is pretty clean. The campus staff is always friendly and always willing to help, there are multiple events throughout the year that help the students to find jobs after they graduate. They have amazing clubs, so you can feel belong to the Campus. I just finished my bachelor's at UWT and I think that the program was really helpful and understandable. This year I am pursuing my Master's in Accounting and hopefully, I would learn the most that I can to be ready when I take a step into the real world. Amazing school at overall.... Read 444 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 86%

• Net price $10,113

• SAT range 960-1180

• Ellensburg, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.61 out of 5  1,563 reviews

Senior: I am an oncoming Senior at Central Washington University. This school is relatively affordable, and a small size for a public 4-year university. I am able to become close to my peers especially through the Graphic Design program I am in! I love how small the community is in this program, we all know each other and are able to help each other grow and learn. The campus is easy to navigate and the buildings are close together so it was very welcoming for a transfer student like me. The program I am in is challenging and I am excited to come back next year. Each class is helpful and targeted towards my degree. The food is pretty good, I like the marketplaces, but I wish there were some more food options. All the housing options are relatively close to the Student Union and Rec Center (where most of the food options are), the furthest dorm buildings are about an 8 minute walk. The school has high diversity rates and a high population of LGBT students, so the environment is welcoming.... Read 1,563 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 86%

• Net price $16,441

• SAT range 930-1150

• Cheney, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  1,702 reviews

Senior: I like Eastern Washington because the professors in my department, Exercise Science, really want you to succeed and do well in each class. They encourage you to go to their office hours and ask questions about the material. I have also made some of my closest friends while here at Eastern, especially at the Catholic Newman Center. The Newman Center has become my home and I have grown in my faith while I have been there the past four years. The Newman community is so friendly, welcoming, and kind. The chapel is also always open so I can go in there to pray in between classes, which I love!... Read 1,702 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 79%

• Net price $12,322

• SAT range 880-1090

• Bellevue, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  850 reviews

Sophomore: I like most of my professors. There is a few who have been teaching for many years and get away with not wanting to help students if they don’t want to. No college is perfect, this one is okay. Rate my professor website is helpful but sometimes staying in contact with professors is the best route to go if you want to succeed. I’ve had two bad encounters with professors so far. Financial Aid is hard to reach, staff sometimes isn’t available, Advisors are difficult to meet with and don’t help that much, but it is a good college to attend. Highly recommend trying it out!... Read 850 reviews

• grade C

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $9,536

• SAT range —

• Lakewood, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  386 reviews

Sophomore: I’ve attended Pierce college for 2 years now in the running start program. The professors are so kind and helpful i’m whatever you need help with. As a high school and college student at the same time, they were always very understanding when I either had things overlap or had to participate in something at my high school. I would recommend pierce college to high school students for the running start program and to anyone who is looking for a good community college! You’ll love pierce!... Read 386 reviews

• grade C minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,147

• SAT range —

• Vancouver, WA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  1,162 reviews

Niche User: I took an online math class at Lower Columbia College for college in the high school credits. The teacher was incredibly helpful and kind. The students worked hard and created a comfortable community. During the class, I was able to learn hands-on math skills as well as participate in a close-knit community. I have been on campus and it is a relatively nice area! The only critique I have is that the teacher did not grade very quickly and I would have to wait for important grades until the class ended. The class was scheduled for Monday and Friday but did not have a Zoom meeting which was incredibly convenient. The course was 'do it at your own pace'. The cost of attending Lower Columbia College is somewhat affordable and my school covered the cost of credits. I hope to tour the campus more to see if Lower Columbia College would be a viable option for me. I spoke to other students and they seem to enjoy the class too! I highly recommend taking online classes at Lower Columbia College.... Read 1,162 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,120

• SAT range —

• Spokane, WA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  623 reviews

Freshman: Spokane Community College is internationally recognized and known for its conducive and favourable environment for academic excellence; it also has a premium global accreditation for research excellence. Its school campus has modern academic recreational facilities provided for all students. These demonstrate endless commitment to studies and scientific research, coupled with highly qualified faculty members and instructors who are leading researchers and practitioners in diverse fields. They have assorted array of expertise, experiences, and continually practice to expand their skills through researches and services. Also, Spokane community is full with so many educational resources which makes education easy and very interesting. In addition, Spokane Community College has a unique academic environment where diverse cultures flows freely, creative expressions and innovations are allowed to take many different forms; students adapt very easily.... Read 623 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $4,947

• SAT range —

• Tacoma, WA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  710 reviews

Sophomore: TCC is a great school, All the professors I had were extremely patient and well prepared. The campus was always trying to set up events for the students and the resources like tutoring, advising and financial aid help were huge in helping me succeed. Overall I had a great experience at this community college!... Read 710 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,240

• SAT range —

• Des Moines, WA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  623 reviews

Sophomore: I really like Highline. Highline strives to celebrate diversity among their students. Highline is the most diverse community college in Washington and the faculty encourages everyone to share their differences. I feel safe at Highline and there are many people I can reach out to for help and resources. Many people to build connections with and even learn from! Highline is very inviting to all student. Highline also has lots of different organizations and groups, great for first generation college students, hobbies, and people of color! A very fun school to attend and this would be the community college I would recommend to any friend considering to continue their education.... Read 623 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,114

• SAT range —

• Lynnwood, WA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  599 reviews

Sophomore: It is a very well balanced college with incredible support all around! Teachers who are willing to help, along with staff who are always willing to help with what you need. Also the campus is incredible, classes easy to find and overall just looks great!... Read 599 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,554

• SAT range —