Cheapest Chemistry Colleges in Washington

Public universities dominate Washington's most affordable chemistry programs, with net prices spanning just $10,898 to $18,680 across seven state institutions. University of Washington-Bothell leads this group at $10,898 annually, while graduates from Eastern Washington University earn the highest median salary at $42,682. Washington's chemistry students enter a region where tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon rely heavily on materials science expertise, plus a growing biotechnology sector anchored by companies developing advanced therapeutics. The state's public college system benefits from the Washington College Grant, which covers full tuition for qualifying students. Private options start significantly higher, with Pacific Lutheran University beginning at $21,370 net cost, creating a clear divide between public accessibility and private premium pricing in chemistry education.

Programs

$10,898 – $38,920

Net Price Range

$37,251

Avg. Program Earnings

65.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

16 Chemistry Programs

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Washington-Bothell the most affordable chemistry option?

UW-Bothell offers the lowest net price at $10,898 with an 88.08% acceptance rate, making chemistry education accessible to most applicants. The campus maintains a solid 68.20% graduation rate while keeping in-state tuition at just $12,559. Students benefit from University of Washington's research reputation and faculty expertise at a fraction of the main Seattle campus cost.

How do chemistry graduates' earnings compare across Washington programs?

Eastern Washington University chemistry graduates earn the highest median salary at $42,682, significantly above the state range of $33,993 to $42,682. University of Washington campuses produce graduates earning $37,568, while Pacific Lutheran and Whitworth graduates start at $33,993. The $8,689 earning difference between highest and lowest programs reflects varying career preparation and industry connections.

Is the graduation rate gap between public and private chemistry programs significant?

Private colleges generally achieve higher graduation rates, with Gonzaga leading at 86.90% and Whitman College at 81.00%. Public universities show more variation, from Eastern Washington's 47.20% to UW-Seattle's 83.70%. However, several public programs like UW-Bothell (68.20%) and Washington State (61.60%) maintain competitive completion rates while costing significantly less.

Where do Washington's chemistry job opportunities concentrate geographically?

Seattle's tech corridor offers the highest concentration of chemistry-related positions, particularly in materials science and semiconductor manufacturing for companies like Amazon and Microsoft. Spokane provides opportunities in healthcare and manufacturing, while the Tri-Cities area supports nuclear and environmental chemistry roles. Biotechnology companies throughout Puget Sound increasingly seek chemistry graduates for drug development and research positions.

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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.