Best Value Business Administration Colleges in Washington

Northwest University graduates earning $53,775 represent the highest potential return among Washington's business programs, though the $25,161 net cost creates a sharp contrast with Columbia Basin College's $8,302 price tag. The 20 programs span from community colleges to major research universities, with public options ranging from $5,163 to $12,997 in-state tuition. Washington's tech-heavy economy, anchored by Amazon and Microsoft headquarters, creates strong demand for business graduates who can navigate both traditional management roles and emerging digital commerce challenges. University of Washington's three campuses all report identical $48,687 earnings despite different graduation rates, while the state's smaller private colleges show mixed results. The Washington College Grant significantly reduces costs for qualifying students at public institutions, making programs like UW-Seattle's 83.7% graduation rate more accessible. Regional employers from Boeing to healthcare systems seek business graduates skilled in operations management, particularly as supply chain complexity increases across industries.

Programs

$3,149 – $38,920

Net Price Range

$46,174

Avg. Program Earnings

47.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

36 Business Administration, Management and Operations Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Columbia Basin College Pasco, Washington	$8,302	$48,265	$6,194	27.7%
2	University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, Washington	$10,017	$48,687	$12,817	62.3%	88.4%
3	University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, Washington	$10,898	$48,687	$12,559	68.2%	88.1%
4	Yakima Valley College Yakima, Washington	$10,402	$42,682	$5,163	33.8%
5	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$48,687	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
6	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$46,143	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
7	Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington	$13,091	$41,855	$8,353	47.2%	96.1%
8	Heritage University Toppenish, Washington	$11,893	$35,416	$19,920	39.8%
9	Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington	$14,715	$41,714	$9,192	49.9%	93.5%
10	Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington	$18,680	$48,522	$9,286	65.5%	92.7%
11	Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, Washington	$21,370	$46,556	$50,964	71.0%	88.9%
12	Northwest University Kirkland, Washington	$25,161	$53,775	$36,035	63.5%	94.3%
13	Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education Kirkland, Washington	$26,734	$53,775	$14,652	30.8%
14	Whitworth University Spokane, Washington	$25,884	$43,575	$50,920	68.4%	90.5%
15	Saint Martin's University Lacey, Washington	$22,618	$38,048	$44,210	57.1%	95.0%
16	Seattle University Seattle, Washington	$34,802	$52,107	$54,285	73.3%	85.2%
17	City University of Seattle Seattle, Washington	$35,049	$50,856	$14,589	16.7%
18	University of Puget Sound Tacoma, Washington	$38,920	$41,789	$59,900	67.9%	82.7%
19	Lake Washington Institute of Technology Kirkland, Washington	$5,886		$5,156	39.8%
20	Great Northern University Spokane, Washington	$31,680		$17,700		85.7%
21	Centralia College Centralia, Washington	$7,600		$5,109	45.8%
22	Faith International University Tacoma, Washington	$18,361		$8,850	66.7%
23	Northwest Indian College Bellingham, Washington	$7,625		$3,969	26.9%
24	Clark College Vancouver, Washington	$9,826		$4,632	35.7%
25	Clover Park Technical College Lakewood, Washington	$3,912		$6,634	40.7%
26	Pierce College District Lakewood, Washington	$10,123		$4,686	31.2%
27	Grays Harbor College Aberdeen, Washington	$3,149		$4,751	31.6%
28	Green River College Auburn, Washington	$12,447		$4,580	41.2%
29	Olympic College Bremerton, Washington	$7,755		$4,197	34.0%
30	Walla Walla University College Place, Washington	$23,992		$33,027	64.2%
31	Walla Walla Community College Walla Walla, Washington	$8,343		$6,513	47.5%
32	Tacoma Community College Tacoma, Washington	$9,321		$4,920	32.8%
33	Spokane Falls Community College Spokane, Washington	$7,402		$4,058	30.4%
34	Skagit Valley College Mount Vernon, Washington	$6,116		$5,620	33.6%
35	Bellingham Technical College Bellingham, Washington	$4,971		$4,226	45.5%
36	Peninsula College Port Angeles, Washington	$4,529		$4,586	40.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $45,000 gap between the cheapest and most expensive business programs?

Columbia Basin College charges just $8,302 net cost while Northwest University costs $25,161, reflecting the difference between community college and private university models. Public institutions benefit from state funding and the Washington College Grant, which covers full tuition for qualifying students. Private colleges offer smaller class sizes and specialized resources but lack state subsidies. The earnings data shows this cost difference doesn't always correlate with salary outcomes, as several public programs match private school graduate earnings.

How do University of Washington's three campuses compare for business value?

All three UW campuses report identical $48,687 graduate earnings despite serving different markets and student populations. Seattle campus offers the lowest net cost at $10,017 but has the most competitive 47.5% acceptance rate and highest 83.7% graduation rate. Bothell and Tacoma campuses accept around 88% of applicants with graduation rates of 68.2% and 62.3% respectively. Students pay similar tuition across campuses but face varying living costs depending on location.

Does graduation rate correlate with earnings potential in Washington business programs?

The data reveals an inconsistent relationship between graduation rates and earnings outcomes. University of Washington-Seattle combines an 83.7% graduation rate with $48,687 earnings, while Columbia Basin College achieves $48,265 earnings despite a 27.7% graduation rate. Heritage University shows the lowest earnings at $35,416 with a 39.8% graduation rate. Several mid-tier programs like Central Washington and Eastern Washington report graduation rates around 47-50% with earnings in the low $40,000s.

Is student debt manageable compared to expected earnings at these schools?

Most Washington business programs maintain reasonable debt-to-income ratios, with average debt ranging from $11,042 to $27,000. Columbia Basin College offers the best debt scenario at $11,042 against $48,265 earnings. University of Washington graduates carry $13,654 in debt while earning $48,687, creating a favorable 28% debt-to-income ratio. Whitworth University presents the highest debt burden at $27,000, though graduates still maintain manageable payment obligations given the state's relatively strong job market.

Where do Washington's business programs rank for out-of-state students?

Public universities charge significantly more for out-of-state students, with costs jumping from around $12,000 to $30,000+ annually. University of Washington-Seattle becomes less competitive at full out-of-state rates despite its strong reputation and 83.7% graduation rate. Private institutions like Pacific Lutheran University at $50,964 sticker price offer consistent pricing regardless of residency status. Out-of-state students should compare private options carefully, as the cost difference narrows considerably when public schools add non-resident fees.

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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.