Cheapest Ethnic Colleges in Washington

Northwest Indian College stands out with the nation's most affordable net price at just $7,625 for Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies programs in Washington. The gap between this public tribal college and the state's most expensive option reaches over $31,000 annually. Washington's tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft increasingly prioritize diversity and inclusion initiatives, creating demand for graduates who understand cultural dynamics and group identity issues. The University of Washington system offers three campuses with net prices under $14,000, while graduates from these programs can expect median earnings ranging from $16,236 to $31,423 depending on the institution.

Programs

$7,625 – $38,920

Net Price Range

$27,626

Avg. Program Earnings

63.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

13 Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Northwest Indian College Bellingham, Washington	$7,625	$3,969	26.9%
2	University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, Washington	$10,017	$12,817	62.3%	88.4%
3	University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, Washington	$10,898	$12,559	68.2%	88.1%
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	Seattle Pacific University Seattle, Washington	$24,820	$38,814	62.1%	90.7%
11	Seattle University Seattle, Washington	$34,802	$54,285	73.3%	85.2%
12	Whitman College Walla Walla, Washington	$35,506	$61,492	81.0%	47.7%
13	University of Puget Sound Tacoma, Washington	$38,920	$59,900	67.9%	82.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Northwest Indian College so much cheaper than other Washington schools?

Northwest Indian College charges a net price of just $7,625 compared to the state average of $20,000 for these programs. As a tribal college, it receives federal funding specifically designed to serve Native American students and communities, significantly reducing costs for all students.

How do University of Washington campuses compare for affordability?

All three UW campuses rank among the top five most affordable options, with net prices between $10,017 and $13,485. The Tacoma and Bothell campuses offer slightly lower costs than Seattle but maintain the same high graduation rate of 83.7% and median earnings of $31,423.

Is the graduation rate significantly different between cheap and expensive programs?

The data shows mixed results, with some affordable schools performing well and others struggling. Northwest Indian College has a 26.9% graduation rate despite its low cost, while University of Washington-Seattle maintains 83.7% graduation rates at a net price under $14,000.

Does Washington State University offer good value for this major?

Washington State University charges $14,401 net price with a 61.6% graduation rate, placing it in the middle tier for affordability. However, graduates earn a median of just $16,236, the lowest among schools with available earnings data, which may impact long-term value.

More Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Rankings

Best Value Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies in Washington Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Under $20,000 in Washington

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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.