Ranking
Most Selective Colleges in Washington by Acceptance Rate 2026
Whitman College leads this list with a reported acceptance rate of 38.2%. This page ranks only schools with standard reported admissions data.
The hardest Washington colleges to get into — ranked by lowest undergraduate acceptance.
- Schools ranked
- 19
- Cheapest net price
- $10,163
- Top earnings 10y
- $79,878
- Public / Private
- 8 / 9
Whitman College
D- Acceptance
- 38.2%
- Net price
- $33,313
- Earnings 10y
- $67,589
- Acceptance
- 38.2%
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
A- Acceptance
- 39.2%
- Net price
- $14,091
- Earnings 10y
- $78,466
- Acceptance
- 39.2%
DigiPen Institute of Technology
D- Acceptance
- 64.4%
- Net price
- $44,446
- Earnings 10y
- $79,878
- Acceptance
- 64.4%
Northwest College of Art & Design
D- Acceptance
- 66%
- Net price
- $16,418
- Earnings 10y
- $31,167
- Acceptance
- 66%
University of Puget Sound
D- Acceptance
- 72.3%
- Net price
- $38,394
- Earnings 10y
- $69,594
- Acceptance
- 72.3%
Seattle University
C- Acceptance
- 76.9%
- Net price
- $34,662
- Earnings 10y
- $75,272
- Acceptance
- 76.9%
Pacific Lutheran University
B- Acceptance
- 78%
- Net price
- $19,589
- Earnings 10y
- $66,990
- Acceptance
- 78%
Gonzaga University
C- Acceptance
- 81.7%
- Net price
- $35,119
- Earnings 10y
- $78,892
- Acceptance
- 81.7%
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
A+- Acceptance
- 82.5%
- Net price
- $10,163
- Earnings 10y
- $78,466
- Acceptance
- 82.5%
Northwest University
C- Acceptance
- 83.2%
- Net price
- $22,288
- Earnings 10y
- $54,914
- Acceptance
- 83.2%
Seattle Pacific University
C- Acceptance
- 83.4%
- Net price
- $24,488
- Earnings 10y
- $64,506
- Acceptance
- 83.4%
Washington State University
A- Acceptance
- 86.6%
- Net price
- $14,971
- Earnings 10y
- $68,905
- Acceptance
- 86.6%
Whitworth University
C- Acceptance
- 89.8%
- Net price
- $26,534
- Earnings 10y
- $58,561
- Acceptance
- 89.8%
Saint Martin's University
C- Acceptance
- 89.8%
- Net price
- $28,119
- Earnings 10y
- $62,092
- Acceptance
- 89.8%
University of Washington-Bothell Campus
A- Acceptance
- 90.6%
- Net price
- $12,319
- Earnings 10y
- $78,466
- Acceptance
- 90.6%
Central Washington University
B- Acceptance
- 90.6%
- Net price
- $18,476
- Earnings 10y
- $61,580
- Acceptance
- 90.6%
Eastern Washington University
B- Acceptance
- 90.8%
- Net price
- $13,886
- Earnings 10y
- $57,897
- Acceptance
- 90.8%
Western Washington University
C- Acceptance
- 93.3%
- Net price
- $21,193
- Earnings 10y
- $62,569
- Acceptance
- 93.3%
The Evergreen State College
D- Acceptance
- 96.4%
- Net price
- $24,319
- Earnings 10y
- $45,320
- Acceptance
- 96.4%
How we picked this list
This list starts with Washington colleges that report a standard admission rate, then sorts by acceptance rate. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 8.09 (8 public, 9 private).
Source transparency: every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard public data set. See our full methodology for the ROI formula, value grade rules and missing-data handling.
FAQ
Who leads this ranking?
Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA tops this ranking. Acceptance rate is 38.2%.
How does EduGradify pick this list?
We rank this set by acceptance using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.
How many Washington colleges are in this list?
19 Washington colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.
What does net price mean here?
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.
Can I use this ranking as a final college decision?
Use it as a shortlist, not a final decision. The ranking compares school-wide federal data; you should still confirm program fit, aid letters, graduation path, transfer policies and current costs with each college.