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# Hidden Gem Colleges in Washington (2026)

Updated October 1, 2026

This page lists 7 four-year colleges in Washington. This list includes only colleges whose overall score is at or above the 50th percentile nationally and whose admission rate is above 50%; colleges without a reported admission rate are left out.

The colleges that qualify are ordered by overall score, highest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. [Washington State University](/school/washington-state-university/majors/) ranks 1st on this list and reports $73,467 in median earnings for its graduates across all fields four years after completing. The group includes 4 public and 3 private institutions.

57% of the listed colleges are public. [Eastern Washington University](/school/eastern-washington-university/majors/) posts the lowest average net price on the page at $13,886.

Seattle University shows the highest six-year completion rate on the page and graduates 76% of its students within six years.

## The ranked list

7 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years after completion | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Washington State University · Pullman, WA | $73,467 | $14,971 | $7,074 | 86.6% |
|  | [Washington State University](/school/washington-state-university/majors/) ranks 1st on this list and posts [median earnings of $73,467](/school/washington-state-university/outcomes/) for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 2 | Eastern Washington University · Cheney, WA | $60,781 | $13,886 | $9,547 | 90.8% |
|  | With an [average net price of $13,886,](/school/eastern-washington-university/cost/) [Eastern Washington University](/school/eastern-washington-university/majors/) is the lowest-priced option on the page. |
| 3 | Central Washington University · Ellensburg, WA | $63,444 | $18,476 | $11,846 | 90.6% |
|  | [Central Washington University](/school/central-washington-university/majors/) [admits 91% of applicants](/school/central-washington-university/admissions/) and reports a six-year completion rate of 54%. |
| 4 | Western Washington University · Bellingham, WA | $58,560 | $21,193 | $12,915 | 93.3% |
|  | [Western Washington University](/school/western-washington-university/majors/) [admits 93% of applicants](/school/western-washington-university/admissions/) and carries an average net price of $12,915 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 5 | Seattle University · Seattle, WA | $79,426 | $34,662 | $22,896 | 76.9% |
|  | Seattle University, a private nonprofit university in Seattle, reports median earnings of $79,426 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 6 | Pacific Lutheran University · Tacoma, WA | $63,671 | $19,589 | $13,609 | 78.0% |
|  | Pacific Lutheran University ranks 682nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and graduates 69% of its students within six years. |
| 7 | Saint Martin's University · Lacey, WA | $71,704 | $28,119 | $22,810 | 89.8% |
|  | Saint Martin's University posts median earnings of $71,704 for its graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $22,810 for families earning under $30,000. |

## How this list is ordered

This list includes only colleges whose overall score is at or above the 50th percentile nationally and whose admission rate is above 50%; colleges without a reported admission rate are left out. The colleges that qualify are ordered by overall score, highest first, as set out on [Azimuth's methodology page](/methodology/#hidden-gem). The earnings figure reflects the median for federally aided completers across all fields, working and not enrolled, measured four years after completing. The list does not adjust for cost or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The list includes 4 public and 3 private nonprofit institutions.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Colleges in Washington](/rankings/best-colleges-in-washington/)
-   [Highest Paying Colleges in Washington](/rankings/highest-paying-colleges-in-washington/)
-   [Best Colleges for Social Mobility in Washington](/rankings/best-colleges-for-social-mobility-in-washington/)