Cheapest Education Colleges in Washington

The University of Washington system dominates Washington's most affordable Education programs, with three campuses ranking in the top five for net costs ranging from $10,017 to $13,485. Public institutions consistently outperform private options on affordability, though the gap narrows when considering that Heritage University charges just $19,920 in tuition while maintaining a reasonable $11,893 net price. Washington's education graduates enter a job market shaped by major tech employers like Amazon and Microsoft, where educational technology roles and corporate training positions complement traditional teaching careers. Graduation rates vary dramatically across the 15 programs, from City University of Seattle's concerning 16.7% to the University of Washington-Seattle's strong 83.7%, suggesting that cost alone shouldn't drive program selection.

Programs

$10,017 – $38,920

Net Price Range

$45,250

Avg. Program Earnings

59.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

15 Education, 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	Faith International University Tacoma, Washington	$18,361	$8,850	66.7%
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	Seattle Pacific University Seattle, Washington	$24,820	$38,814	62.1%	90.7%
12	Northwest University Kirkland, Washington	$25,161	$36,035	63.5%	94.3%
13	Whitworth University Spokane, Washington	$25,884	$50,920	68.4%	90.5%
14	City University of Seattle Seattle, Washington	$35,049	$14,589	16.7%
15	University of Puget Sound Tacoma, Washington	$38,920	$59,900	67.9%	82.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Washington-Tacoma the most affordable Education program in Washington?

UW-Tacoma offers the lowest net price at $10,017 for Education majors, combining reasonable tuition with strong financial aid packages. The campus maintains a solid 62.3% graduation rate and accepts 88.35% of applicants. With typical debt loads of just $14,159, graduates can enter the teaching profession without overwhelming financial burden.

How do public and private Education program costs compare in Washington?

Public universities dominate the affordable end, with six of the seven cheapest programs offered by state institutions. The most expensive public option, Central Washington University at $14,715 net cost, still costs less than the cheapest private option, Heritage University at $11,893. Private programs range up to $38,920 at University of Puget Sound, nearly four times the cost of the most affordable public option.

Is City University of Seattle worth considering despite its high cost?

City University of Seattle presents a concerning profile with a $35,049 net cost and the lowest graduation rate at just 16.7%. While graduates earn $43,240 annually, the combination of high costs and poor completion rates makes it difficult to recommend. Students would likely find better value and outcomes at nearly any other program on this list.

Where do Education graduates typically work in Washington's job market?

Washington's Education graduates find opportunities beyond traditional K-12 teaching in the state's tech-driven economy. Major employers like Amazon and Microsoft hire education specialists for corporate training and educational technology development roles. Healthcare systems throughout the state also employ education graduates for patient education and staff development positions, with earnings ranging from $43,240 to $47,260 for program graduates.

More Education, General Rankings

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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.