Best Value Biology Colleges in Washington

The University of Washington system dominates Washington's biology value market, with its Tacoma campus offering the lowest net cost at just $10,017 while delivering graduates earning $31,859 annually. This creates an strong return on investment in a state where biotechnology companies like Juno Therapeutics and Adaptive Biotechnologies fuel demand for biology graduates. The earnings gap between top performers reaches over $10,000, with UW graduates commanding $31,859 compared to Northwest University's $21,508. Public institutions maintain a clear advantage, with Eastern Washington University charging in-state students only $8,353 while private colleges like University of Puget Sound require $59,900 in tuition. Washington's proximity to major research institutions and pharmaceutical companies in the Pacific Northwest creates strong career pathways for biology majors, particularly in areas like immunology and cancer research where local biotech firms lead national innovation efforts.

Programs

$10,017 – $38,920

Net Price Range

$28,262

Avg. Program Earnings

65.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

18 Biology, General 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	$31,859	$12,817	62.3%	88.4%
2	University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, Washington	$10,898	$31,859	$12,559	68.2%	88.1%
3	Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington	$13,091	$31,133	$8,353	47.2%	96.1%
4	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$31,859	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
5	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$30,277	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
6	Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington	$14,715	$26,817	$9,192	49.9%	93.5%
7	Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, Washington	$21,370	$28,598	$50,964	71.0%	88.9%
8	Saint Martin's University Lacey, Washington	$22,618	$28,055	$44,210	57.1%	95.0%
9	Whitworth University Spokane, Washington	$25,884	$28,381	$50,920	68.4%	90.5%
10	Northwest University Kirkland, Washington	$25,161	$21,508	$36,035	63.5%	94.3%
11	Seattle University Seattle, Washington	$34,802	$29,685	$54,285	73.3%	85.2%
12	University of Puget Sound Tacoma, Washington	$38,920	$28,598	$59,900	67.9%	82.7%
13	Gonzaga University Spokane, Washington	$36,371	$24,035	$53,500	86.9%	69.7%
14	Whitman College Walla Walla, Washington	$35,506	$22,999	$61,492	81.0%	47.7%
15	Heritage University Toppenish, Washington	$11,893		$19,920	39.8%
16	Seattle Pacific University Seattle, Washington	$24,820		$38,814	62.1%	90.7%
17	Walla Walla University College Place, Washington	$23,992		$33,027	64.2%
18	Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington	$18,680		$9,286	65.5%	92.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the University of Washington campuses such strong value choices for biology students?

UW's three campuses offer identical earning potential at $31,859 annually while maintaining relatively low costs, with Tacoma at $10,017 and Bothell at $10,898 net price. The Seattle campus adds academic prestige with an 83.70% graduation rate, though it costs slightly more at $13,485. All three campuses benefit from UW's research reputation and connections to Washington's biotech industry.

How do private college costs compare to earnings potential in Washington biology programs?

Private colleges charge significantly more, with University of Puget Sound reaching $59,900 in tuition, yet their graduates earn $28,598, which is $3,261 less than UW graduates. Gonzaga University presents an interesting case with $53,500 tuition but only $24,035 in graduate earnings. The financial math strongly favors public institutions for biology majors in Washington state.

Does the Washington College Grant make public biology programs more accessible?

Yes, qualifying students can attend public colleges tuition-free through the Washington College Grant, making schools like Eastern Washington University extremely affordable at just $8,353 for in-state students. This program particularly benefits biology majors since lab fees and other costs remain manageable. The grant helps explain why public institutions maintain such competitive net prices across the state.

Where do Washington biology graduates find employment opportunities?

Washington's biotech sector includes major employers like Adaptive Biotechnologies in Seattle and research opportunities at institutions like Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. The state's $31,859 average earnings for UW graduates reflect strong demand from pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers. Additionally, Boeing's aerospace medicine division and Microsoft's healthcare initiatives create unique interdisciplinary opportunities for biology graduates.

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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.