Cheapest Fine and Studio Arts Colleges in Washington

Fine arts students in Washington face a striking cost divide between public and private institutions, with University of Washington-Bothell offering the state's most affordable program at $10,898 net cost compared to University of Puget Sound's $38,920. Public universities dominate the lower cost bracket, with seven schools under $20,000, while private colleges average nearly $30,000 annually. Graduates typically earn between $15,552 and $27,181, with UW campuses producing the highest-earning alumni at over $27,000. Washington's creative economy benefits from proximity to tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft, which increasingly hire visual designers and creative professionals. The state's 16 Fine and Studio Arts programs serve students across varied geographic regions, from Seattle's urban art scene to smaller college towns like Cheney and Ellensburg.

Programs

$10,898 – $39,060

Net Price Range

$25,208

Avg. Program Earnings

65.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

16 Fine and Studio Arts 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	Walla Walla University College Place, Washington	$23,992	$33,027	64.2%
10	Seattle Pacific University Seattle, Washington	$24,820	$38,814	62.1%	90.7%
11	Whitworth University Spokane, Washington	$25,884	$50,920	68.4%	90.5%
12	Seattle University Seattle, Washington	$34,802	$54,285	73.3%	85.2%
13	Whitman College Walla Walla, Washington	$35,506	$61,492	81.0%	47.7%
14	Gonzaga University Spokane, Washington	$36,371	$53,500	86.9%	69.7%
15	University of Puget Sound Tacoma, Washington	$38,920	$59,900	67.9%	82.7%
16	Cornish College of the Arts Seattle, Washington	$39,060	$39,913	52.0%	71.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Washington-Bothell the most affordable option for fine arts?

UW-Bothell offers the lowest net cost at $10,898 while maintaining strong outcomes with a 68.20% graduation rate and $27,181 average earnings. The campus accepts 88.08% of applicants and keeps student debt at just $13,000. As a public university, in-state students pay only $12,559 in tuition before aid.

How do public and private fine arts programs compare in Washington?

Public universities offer significantly lower costs, with six schools under $15,000 net price compared to private institutions starting at $21,370. However, private colleges like Gonzaga achieve higher graduation rates at 86.90% versus public averages around 50-60%. Eastern Washington University provides the lowest in-state tuition at $8,353 despite a $13,091 net cost.

Is the Washington College Grant helpful for fine arts students?

The Washington College Grant covers full tuition at public colleges for qualifying students, making schools like Central Washington University ($9,192 in-state tuition) essentially free for eligible recipients. This explains why several public universities show net costs below their published tuition rates. Students at Eastern Washington benefit most with in-state tuition of just $8,353.

Where do fine arts graduates earn the most in Washington?

University of Washington campuses produce the highest-earning graduates at $27,181 annually, followed closely by Washington State University at $27,048. Private school graduates from Seattle University and University of Puget Sound also earn $26,739. The lowest earnings come from Eastern Washington University graduates at $15,552, reflecting regional economic differences.

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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.