Best Value Economics Colleges in Washington

Economics programs in Washington range from $13,091 to $38,920 in net price, with graduates earning between $32,569 and $57,318 annually. The University of Washington Seattle stands out with its 83.70% graduation rate and $51,035 median earnings, while Eastern Washington University offers the lowest net cost at just $13,091. These programs prepare students for careers in Washington's tech-driven economy, where major employers like Amazon and Microsoft rely heavily on economic analysis for strategic planning. The significant earnings gap between graduates reflects both regional salary variations and program quality differences across the state's 12 economics programs.

Programs

$13,091 – $38,920

Net Price Range

$43,617

Avg. Program Earnings

68.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

12 Economics Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$51,035	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
2	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$48,041	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
3	Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington	$14,715	$39,369	$9,192	49.9%	93.5%
4	Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington	$13,091	$32,569	$8,353	47.2%	96.1%
5	Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington	$18,680	$39,214	$9,286	65.5%	92.7%
6	Seattle University Seattle, Washington	$34,802	$57,318	$54,285	73.3%	85.2%
7	Seattle Pacific University Seattle, Washington	$24,820	$38,289	$38,814	62.1%	90.7%
8	Gonzaga University Spokane, Washington	$36,371	$46,087	$53,500	86.9%	69.7%
9	Whitman College Walla Walla, Washington	$35,506	$42,682	$61,492	81.0%	47.7%
10	University of Puget Sound Tacoma, Washington	$38,920	$41,565	$59,900	67.9%	82.7%
11	Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, Washington	$21,370		$50,964	71.0%	88.9%
12	Whitworth University Spokane, Washington	$25,884		$50,920	68.4%	90.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Washington Seattle the top value for economics?

UW Seattle combines the lowest net cost among research universities at $13,485 with strong graduate outcomes including an 83.70% graduation rate and $51,035 median earnings. The program benefits from Seattle's concentration of major employers and maintains a selective 47.52% acceptance rate.

How do public university costs compare to earnings potential?

Washington's public universities charge between $13,091 and $18,680 in net price while producing graduates earning $32,569 to $51,035 annually. The Washington College Grant helps cover full tuition for qualifying students at public institutions, making programs like Eastern Washington University particularly affordable.

Is the earnings gap between schools worth the cost difference?

Seattle University graduates earn $57,318 annually but pay $34,802 net price, while Eastern Washington graduates earn $32,569 at $13,091 net cost. The $24,749 earnings difference helps offset the higher tuition over time, especially given Seattle's higher salary market.

Where do Washington economics graduates find the best job opportunities?

Seattle's tech sector offers the highest salaries, with companies like Amazon and Microsoft actively recruiting economics graduates for data analysis and strategic roles. Boeing's aerospace operations and the region's healthcare systems also provide strong career paths outside traditional finance sectors.

More Economics Rankings

Cheapest Economics in Washington Economics Under $20,000 in Washington

All Economics Programs Best Colleges in Washington Best Economics in Washington

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