Best Value Accounting and Related Services Colleges in Washington

Washington's public universities create a compelling value equation for accounting students, with University of Washington campuses offering net costs as low as $10,017 while producing graduates who earn $57,692 annually. The state's 17 accounting programs span a $26,354 price range, from affordable public options to private institutions charging over $36,000 net cost. Washington's thriving business environment, anchored by major corporations like Amazon and Microsoft, creates strong demand for accounting professionals across industries from technology to aerospace. Public university graduates typically carry just $14,828 in debt compared to private school averages exceeding $20,000, yet both pathways lead to similar earning potential in the state's competitive job market.

Programs

$10,017 – $36,371

Net Price Range

$53,853

Avg. Program Earnings

59.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

17 Accounting and Related Services Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, Washington	$10,017	$57,692	$12,817	62.3%	88.4%
2	University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, Washington	$10,898	$57,692	$12,559	68.2%	88.1%
3	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$57,692	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
4	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$49,719	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
5	Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington	$13,091	$43,732	$8,353	47.2%	96.1%
6	Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington	$14,715	$47,036	$9,192	49.9%	93.5%
7	Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington	$18,680	$49,572	$9,286	65.5%	92.7%
8	Seattle Pacific University Seattle, Washington	$24,820	$55,964	$38,814	62.1%	90.7%
9	Whitworth University Spokane, Washington	$25,884	$57,705	$50,920	68.4%	90.5%
10	Saint Martin's University Lacey, Washington	$22,618	$47,118	$44,210	57.1%	95.0%
11	Seattle University Seattle, Washington	$34,802	$62,012	$54,285	73.3%	85.2%
12	Gonzaga University Spokane, Washington	$36,371	$60,298	$53,500	86.9%	69.7%
13	Northwest University Kirkland, Washington	$25,161		$36,035	63.5%	94.3%
14	Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, Washington	$21,370		$50,964	71.0%	88.9%
15	Heritage University Toppenish, Washington	$11,893		$19,920	39.8%
16	City University of Seattle Seattle, Washington	$35,049		$14,589	16.7%
17	Bellevue College Bellevue, Washington	$11,289		$4,305	33.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Washington campuses such strong values for accounting students?

UW's three campuses offer identical $57,692 earning outcomes while maintaining net costs below $14,000 annually. The Tacoma campus provides the lowest cost at $10,017, while Seattle's main campus delivers an 83.70% graduation rate. All three locations benefit from UW's strong alumni network in Washington's major business centers.

How do private university accounting programs justify their higher costs?

Seattle University leads private institutions with $62,012 average earnings, justifying its $34,802 net cost through superior earning potential. Gonzaga University combines strong earnings of $60,298 with an impressive 86.90% graduation rate. Private schools often provide smaller class sizes and specialized career services that appeal to students despite higher debt loads averaging $22,000 to $27,000.

Does the Washington College Grant significantly impact accounting program affordability?

The state grant covers full tuition at public universities for qualifying students, explaining why in-state costs at UW campuses hover around $12,500 while net costs drop to $10,000-$13,500. Eastern Washington University shows this impact most clearly with an in-state tuition of just $8,353. This program makes public accounting education accessible regardless of family income.

Where do accounting graduates find the best opportunities in Washington's job market?

Seattle's technology sector, including Amazon and Microsoft, creates high demand for corporate accountants and financial analysts. Boeing's aerospace operations require specialized cost accounting expertise, while the state's growing healthcare sector needs accounting professionals for revenue cycle management. The 47% to 87% acceptance rates across programs ensure students can access quality education to serve these markets.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.