Cheapest Biology Colleges in Washington

Biology students in Washington face a dramatic cost divide, with the University of Washington-Tacoma offering the most affordable path at $10,017 net price while Seattle University reaches $34,802. All three University of Washington campuses share identical post-graduation earnings of $31,859, making the Tacoma campus particularly attractive for value-conscious students. The state's thriving biotech sector benefits from proximity to major research institutions and companies like Adaptive Biotechnologies and Juno Therapeutics. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with six of the eight cheapest programs coming from state schools. Eastern Washington University stands out with the lowest in-state tuition at $8,353, though its 47.20% graduation rate trails the University of Washington-Seattle's impressive 83.70%. Heritage University in Toppenish offers the lowest net price among private schools at $11,893, serving a unique role in rural healthcare education.

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	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, Washington	$10,017	$12,817	62.3%	88.4%
2	University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, Washington	$10,898	$12,559	68.2%	88.1%
3	Heritage University Toppenish, Washington	$11,893	$19,920	39.8%
4	Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington	$13,091	$8,353	47.2%	96.1%
5	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
6	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
7	Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington	$14,715	$9,192	49.9%	93.5%
8	Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington	$18,680	$9,286	65.5%	92.7%
9	Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, Washington	$21,370	$50,964	71.0%	88.9%
10	Saint Martin's University Lacey, Washington	$22,618	$44,210	57.1%	95.0%
11	Walla Walla University College Place, Washington	$23,992	$33,027	64.2%
12	Seattle Pacific University Seattle, Washington	$24,820	$38,814	62.1%	90.7%
13	Northwest University Kirkland, Washington	$25,161	$36,035	63.5%	94.3%
14	Whitworth University Spokane, Washington	$25,884	$50,920	68.4%	90.5%
15	Seattle University Seattle, Washington	$34,802	$54,285	73.3%	85.2%
16	Whitman College Walla Walla, Washington	$35,506	$61,492	81.0%	47.7%
17	Gonzaga University Spokane, Washington	$36,371	$53,500	86.9%	69.7%
18	University of Puget Sound Tacoma, Washington	$38,920	$59,900	67.9%	82.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Washington-Tacoma the best value for biology majors?

UW-Tacoma combines the lowest net price in the state at $10,017 with strong post-graduation earnings of $31,859. Students graduate with manageable debt of $13,809 and benefit from a solid 62.30% graduation rate. The campus offers the same degree credentials as the flagship Seattle campus while providing significant cost savings for biology students.

How do public and private school costs compare for biology programs?

Public universities offer dramatically lower costs, with the top five most affordable programs all being public institutions. The cheapest private option, Heritage University at $11,893, still costs more than double Eastern Washington University's in-state rate of $8,353. Private schools like Seattle University can cost over three times more at $34,802 net price.

Is the Washington College Grant helpful for biology students?

The Washington College Grant covers full tuition at public colleges for eligible students, making programs like Eastern Washington University essentially free for qualifying families. With in-state tuition ranging from $8,353 to $12,997 at public universities, this grant can eliminate the largest expense. Students should apply early since the program serves families earning up to the state median income.

Does location affect biology career prospects in Washington?

Seattle area programs offer proximity to major biotech employers like Amazon's healthcare division and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, though living costs are higher. Eastern Washington and smaller cities provide lower living expenses while still connecting to the state's growing healthcare sector. Post-graduation earnings remain competitive across locations, with most programs showing similar salary outcomes of $28,000-$31,859.

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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.