Best Value History Colleges in Washington

University of Washington-Tacoma delivers the strongest value proposition for History majors in Washington, combining a net cost of just $10,017 with solid earning potential of $28,816. This represents nearly a $4,000 advantage over the next most affordable option while maintaining access to UW's research resources and alumni network. The 17 History programs across Washington show dramatic cost variations, with private institutions like University of Puget Sound reaching $38,920 in net costs yet producing the lowest graduate earnings at $21,964. Washington's government sector, anchored in Olympia and Seattle, along with the state's museum and cultural institutions, creates steady demand for History graduates who can analyze complex information and communicate effectively. The Washington College Grant program helps bridge affordability gaps at public institutions, making quality historical education accessible to residents across income levels.

Programs

$10,017 – $38,920

Net Price Range

$27,742

Avg. Program Earnings

65.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

17 History 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	$28,816	$12,817	62.3%	88.4%
2	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$33,459	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
3	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$28,816	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
4	Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington	$13,091	$27,476	$8,353	47.2%	96.1%
5	Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, Washington	$21,370	$29,685	$50,964	71.0%	88.9%
6	Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington	$18,680	$25,426	$9,286	65.5%	92.7%
7	Seattle Pacific University Seattle, Washington	$24,820	$29,685	$38,814	62.1%	90.7%
8	Gonzaga University Spokane, Washington	$36,371	$28,055	$53,500	86.9%	69.7%
9	Seattle University Seattle, Washington	$34,802	$24,035	$54,285	73.3%	85.2%
10	University of Puget Sound Tacoma, Washington	$38,920	$21,964	$59,900	67.9%	82.7%
11	Northwest University Kirkland, Washington	$25,161		$36,035	63.5%	94.3%
12	Saint Martin's University Lacey, Washington	$22,618		$44,210	57.1%	95.0%
13	Walla Walla University College Place, Washington	$23,992		$33,027	64.2%
14	Heritage University Toppenish, Washington	$11,893		$19,920	39.8%
15	Whitman College Walla Walla, Washington	$35,506		$61,492	81.0%	47.7%
16	Whitworth University Spokane, Washington	$25,884		$50,920	68.4%	90.5%
17	Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington	$14,715		$9,192	49.9%	93.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide earnings gap among Washington History programs?

History graduate earnings in Washington range from $21,964 to $33,459, largely reflecting geographic and career path differences. Washington State University leads at $33,459, benefiting from strong alumni networks in government and education sectors. Programs in the Seattle metro area show varied outcomes, with UW-Seattle matching UW-Tacoma at $28,816 despite higher selectivity. Rural and smaller private colleges often produce lower initial earnings but may offer different career preparation approaches.

How do public and private History programs compare on value?

Public institutions dominate the value equation, with the top four spots all held by state universities with net costs between $10,017 and $14,401. Pacific Lutheran University represents the best private value at $21,370 net cost with $29,685 in earnings. The most expensive programs at Whitman College and University of Puget Sound charge over $35,000 annually while producing earnings below the state average. Public programs benefit significantly from the Washington College Grant, which can cover full tuition for qualifying residents.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Washington History programs?

Higher-priced programs generally show stronger graduation rates, but exceptions exist throughout Washington's History market. University of Washington-Seattle achieves an 83.7% graduation rate at moderate net costs, while Gonzaga reaches 86.9% but costs $36,371 annually. Eastern Washington University demonstrates that affordability doesn't guarantee completion, with a 47.2% graduation rate despite low costs. Heritage University shows the strongest correlation between low price and completion challenges at 39.8% graduation rate.

Where do Washington History graduates find the best employment opportunities?

Washington's government sector in Olympia and Seattle provides steady opportunities for History graduates in policy analysis, research, and administration. The state's cultural institutions, including the Washington State History Museum and numerous regional museums, hire graduates for curatorial and educational roles. Tech companies like Microsoft and Amazon increasingly value History majors for their analytical and communication skills in user research and content strategy positions. Education remains a primary path, with Washington's growing population creating demand for social studies teachers statewide.

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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.