2023 Colleges with the Best Student Life in Washington

• Pullman, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  3,997 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 3,997 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 86%

• Net price $11,877

• SAT range 1020-1210

• Seattle, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  4,554 reviews

Freshman: My overall experience at the University of Washington was highly rewarding. I appreciated the personalized learning environment created by smaller class sizes, allowing for more interaction with professors and fostering strong connections with peers. The campus was vibrant and inclusive, and the emphasis on research opportunities enhanced my education. While the cost of education and crowded courses could be areas for improvement, I would still highly recommend UW for its academic excellence and enriching experience.... Read 4,554 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 53%

• Net price $8,701

• SAT range 1200-1470

• Kirkland, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  564 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 564 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 96%

• Net price $23,169

• SAT range 1000-1210

• Spokane, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  1,240 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 1,240 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 76%

• Net price $35,529

• SAT range 1210-1380

• Seattle, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  987 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 987 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 82%

• Net price $36,671

• SAT range 1120-1330

• Toppenish, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  336 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 336 reviews

• grade B

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,976

• SAT range —

• Vancouver, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  1,094 reviews

Freshman: Attending Charter College gave me the opportunity to apply myself to my education and towards my future. This school doesn't require high school GPA or standardized tests to enroll. The staff here are friendly and determined to get you a job after graduation and certification. This program offers classes in the morning or the evening to fit around your existing schedule. My only concerns with this institution are accreditation (for students wishing to further their education beyond this program) and how our time is spent within the classroom (this varies depending on the instructor). Because of this program, I am/was able to prove I have grown academically since high school. After applying myself to my education I was able to raise my previous 2.3 GPA to 3.9. This school is a great option for those looking to start a career.... Read 1,094 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $25,320

• SAT range —

• Spokane, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  942 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 942 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 91%

• Net price $27,438

• SAT range 1070-1280

• Seattle, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  269 reviews

Freshman: Cornish offers a great opportunity for those interested in performing arts. The small teacher-to-student ratio enables one to get more personal attention. There's a lot of crossover between majors, such that I can try other artistic endeavors I am interested in. The dorm rooms are big and come with their own microwave and fridge. I have made some wonderful friends within a supportive environment. My one area I'd like to see improved is the food. I have dietary issues, which the school tries to accommodate , but weekend are challenging.... Read 269 reviews

• grade C+

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 64%

• Net price $38,109

• SAT range —

• Bellingham, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  2,304 reviews

Freshman: Western is located in an amazing location and has a really great atmosphere, especially for students who may be a bit nervous to be in such a new environment. It is a very liberal-leaning university and city and is actively involved in political and environmental change.... Read 2,304 reviews

• grade B

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 96%

• Net price $11,388

• SAT range 1090-1310

• Cheney, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  1,710 reviews

Junior: My overall experience is good the staff is somewhat helpful there are some who I feel like don't want to help students but overall good community of students and some staff. Being helped more with advising could have been better for me. Most of my classes have been a good experience with them actually wanting us to learn and help us.... Read 1,710 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 97%

• Net price $13,650

• SAT range 880-1090

• Seattle, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  1,066 reviews

Freshman: I am a first year undergraduate student at Seattle Pacific University. Nearing the end of my first year here, I can say I've had a really positive experience so far. I like the community here, the class sizes, the ability to connect with faculty, the campus, and student life. There are many opportunities to get involved and meet new people. The faculty I've had the opportunity to take a class with have been very kind, caring, and engaging. My experience living in the residence hall on campus has been really positive, both my RA and floor mates, in addition to all others I've met who live in the same residence hall, have been welcoming, supportive, and good-natured. SPU is a really great place to be pursuing my post-secondary education.... Read 1,066 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 92%

• Net price $26,153

• SAT range 1050-1300

• Tacoma, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  446 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 446 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 83%

• Net price $10,310

• SAT range 960-1180

• Redmond, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  247 reviews

Alum: DigiPens a really good college in my opinion for BFA. There’s definitely a lot of rough edges but students were able to fight for what they believed and changed aspects of the system. You definitely get what you put into it. I think having more professors that know the industry and what it is today is where it’s lacking. Even after a few years the industry changes I think they should get more up to date professors or have industry professionals come in more often to talk and give advice. The best thing about DigiPen is the projects class, making a film or game with other students was super beneficial to my understanding of working with others and improving my communication and well as creating a basic pipeline to understand an industry pipeline and being more creative and problem solving. There can be a super fun camaraderie with the other students and it’s nice to find friends and people that will always have your back... Read 247 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 46%

• Net price $35,559

• SAT range 1140-1390

• Bothell, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.61 out of 5  550 reviews

Freshman: The campus attracts a diverse student population, which can create an inclusive and multicultural environment. I appreciate the opportunity to interact with classmates from different backgrounds, which enhances the learning experience and fosters a broader understanding of various perspectives. Additionally, UWB's smaller class sizes gives the opportunity for students to engage with their peers and professors, leading to a more personalized attention, active participation in discussions, and the ability to establish meaningful connections with classmates and faculty members.... Read 550 reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 83%

• Net price $7,577

• SAT range 1040-1270

• Tacoma, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.49 out of 5  790 reviews

Alum: Without a doubt THE BEST decision I ever made was to enroll at University of Puget Sound. I remember having several options from state schools to other private liberal arts colleges and while it may not have been the "cheapest" option on paper it was definitely the best decision both financially and academically. Having spoken with friends at state colleges, I know this was a smart decision. Many of my peers at other schools are still struggling to graduate in 4 years with many having to go another year. The advising I received at UPS was outstanding. The professors actually care about you as a person and want to help you succeed. I was actively involved in my education. The campus is beautiful and the students are generally interested and care about you. There is always something fun going on and it's easy to access and experience. I highly recommend coming to this school. You will love it!... Read 790 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 88%

• Net price $28,221

• SAT range 1150-1370

• Tacoma, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  991 reviews

Junior: I have loved my time at PLU, though I do think a majority of why I stay at this school is because of the friends I have made here. I really appreciate the small class sizes as it makes learning and building a relationship with your professor much easier. I appreciate the minimal amount of off-campus parties but, that being said, do not come here if you are looking for a party college environment! One thing that PLU needs to fix is the library hours - the library closes at 9pm Mon-Thurs, 5pm on Friday, isn't open at all on Saturdays, and opens at noon on Sunday and closes at 8pm. I know that a lot of students don't get done with classes and work until 6pm and then have to eat dinner so it never feels like there's enough time to actually work at the library. Another thing that could use some work at PLU is the accommodations provided. I really appreciate that PLU offers accommodations but too many professors completely disregard them and don't seem to ever face any repercussions for it.... Read 991 reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 88%

• Net price $23,568

• SAT range 1150-1290

• Lakewood, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  389 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 389 reviews

• grade C minus

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,370

• SAT range —

• Lacey, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  450 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 450 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 72%

• Net price $23,964

• SAT range 990-1170

• 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+

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 59%

• Net price $35,627

• SAT range 1270-1440

• Ellensburg, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.61 out of 5  1,568 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 1,568 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 88%

• Net price $17,645

• SAT range 930-1150

• Bellevue, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  857 reviews

Sophomore: From my last two years of attending Bellevue College, I've found my time to be enjoyable! The campus is easy to navigate and provides lots of outdoor space. They provide a bus stop right in front of the college, making transportation very simple. Most of the staff I've interacted with are kind and helpful, encouraging diversity and safety. I think Bellevue College could improve at promoting social interaction among students since there is a lack of social events and active club groups. Other than that, Bellevue College is definitely a great college choice for those who are trying to get their foot in the door of college life!... Read 857 reviews

• grade C

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $9,801

• SAT range —

• 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

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $25,421

• SAT range —

• Olympia, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.46 out of 5  744 reviews

Senior: Some professors are average but many are absolute gold! This is a small college, so it's easy to work one on one with these amazing professors, which has given me a lot of valuable experience. Definitely the sort of place that requires you to have initiative - No one's going to push you to complete anything, but there are plenty of opportunities for those who look! The campus is beautiful; It sits on about 1000 acres of forest that you can explore! The queer community is alive and thriving here as well - plenty of room for expression!... Read 744 reviews

• grade C

• grade C

• Acceptance rate 99%

• Net price $16,155

• SAT range 1000-1200

• Yakima, WA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  177 reviews

Freshman: What I like the most about Perry Technical Institute is how professional they are, they are very strict on start times, Lunch times, and break times. There are no days wasted at perry technical Institute the moment you step in the classroom you should be ready to learn, and the instructor is ready to teach. I also like how much help they have around the campus such as scholarship help, financial aid help, mental health help, and they offer tutoring after school. They have vending machines all around the campus and a food vendor in the cafeteria. The school feels very safe because they have security roaming the parking lots at all times and make student and staff download an app where everyone can communicate and be aware of something going on the campus, also there are staff that are trained to handle firearms. Another way the schools feels safe is because they make us students take a CPR/First aid course within the first month of being there.... Read 177 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $18,800

• SAT range —