Best Value Computer and Information Sciences Colleges in Washington

Computer science graduates in Washington can expect significant variation in both costs and career outcomes across the state's 18 programs. The University of Washington system dominates the earnings market, with all three campuses producing graduates earning $71,575 annually, while Western Washington University leads at $81,333. Cost differences tell an equally compelling story, ranging from Renton Technical College's $5,051 net price to Whitman College's $35,506. Washington's tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft create strong demand for computer science talent, particularly in the Seattle metro area. Public institutions generally offer the strongest value proposition, with UW-Tacoma combining relatively low costs at $10,017 with high earnings potential. The state's Washington College Grant program helps qualifying students access these opportunities at public colleges, making programs like Eastern Washington University even more affordable at just $8,353 in-state tuition.

Programs

$5,051 – $35,506

Net Price Range

$66,995

Avg. Program Earnings

52.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

18 Computer and Information Sciences, 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	$71,575	$12,817	62.3%	88.4%
2	University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, Washington	$10,898	$71,575	$12,559	68.2%	88.1%
3	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$71,575	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
4	Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington	$18,680	$81,333	$9,286	65.5%	92.7%
5	Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington	$13,091	$56,979	$8,353	47.2%	96.1%
6	Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, Washington	$21,370	$69,338	$50,964	71.0%	88.9%
7	Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington	$14,715	$46,589	$9,192	49.9%	93.5%
8	Saint Martin's University Lacey, Washington	$22,618		$44,210	57.1%	95.0%
9	Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education Kirkland, Washington	$26,734		$14,652	30.8%
10	Whitman College Walla Walla, Washington	$35,506		$61,492	81.0%	47.7%
11	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401		$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
12	Spokane Falls Community College Spokane, Washington	$7,402		$4,058	30.4%
13	Renton Technical College Renton, Washington	$5,051		$6,723	55.0%
14	Olympic College Bremerton, Washington	$7,755		$4,197	34.0%
15	Northwest University Kirkland, Washington	$25,161		$36,035	63.5%	94.3%
16	Columbia Basin College Pasco, Washington	$8,302		$6,194	27.7%
17	City University of Seattle Seattle, Washington	$35,049		$14,589	16.7%
18	Centralia College Centralia, Washington	$7,600		$5,109	45.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Washington programs stand out for computer science value?

All three UW campuses produce graduates earning $71,575 annually, well above the state median. The Tacoma campus offers the lowest net cost at $10,017, while the Seattle campus maintains the highest graduation rate at 83.70%. Bothell falls between the two with a 68.20% graduation rate and $10,898 net cost.

How do public and private college costs compare for computer science in Washington?

Public institutions range from $5,051 to $18,680 in net costs, while private colleges span $21,370 to $35,506. The gap is even wider for sticker prices, with public in-state tuition averaging under $13,000 compared to private colleges charging $36,000 to $61,000. Only Pacific Lutheran University among private schools shows competitive value with $69,338 graduate earnings.

Is Western Washington University the best earning potential for computer science graduates?

Western Washington leads all schools with graduates earning $81,333 annually, significantly higher than the $46,589 to $71,575 range at other institutions. The program costs $18,680 net price with a 65.50% graduation rate. This combination of high earnings and moderate costs makes it particularly attractive for value-conscious students.

Does the Washington College Grant make public schools more affordable for computer science?

Yes, qualifying students can have tuition covered at public colleges through this state program. Eastern Washington University charges just $8,353 in-state, while Central Washington costs $9,192. Even the University of Washington system remains under $13,000 for in-state students, making these programs highly accessible compared to private alternatives.

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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.