College Resources
Transitioning to college after high school can be daunting, and you likely have questions -
- "What education does my dream job require?"
- "Where should I go to college?"
- "How do I prepare for and pay for college?"
Here you can find resources to help you get your questions answered.
(Information provided by the Washington Student Achievement Council & the 12th Year Campaign)
picking a college & program
- What education does my dream job require?
- Where should I go to college?
- Don't know what you want to do yet?
- Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program (WAGAP)
What education does my dream job require?
You can choose from hundreds of majors and certificates. Typically, most fall into two categories: liberal arts or career-orientated.
Liberal Arts majors include literature, philosophy, history and languages. These majors are broader and can lead to various jobs that don't require specific or technical knowledge.
- English (editor, marking executive, writer)
- Foreign Language (foreign service officer, translator, teacher)
- Political Science (community organizer or activist, lawyer, policy analyst)
- Psychology (market researcher, social worker, mental health counselor)
Career-Orientated majors or certificates focus on developing particular skills and knowledge for specific careers.
- Marine Biology
- Culinary Arts
- Paralegal Studies
- Engineering
- Dental Hygiene
Where should I go to college?
The term college includes technical colleges, 2-year community colleges, vocational or trade schools, and 4-year colleges or universities. There is not on type of college that is perfect for everyone, so it is important to explore your options. (Make sure to review any school's accreditation nd job placement rates).
2-Year Community & Technical Colleges (CTCs)
These schools offer associate's degrees and certificates, including those for specific trades. Students that graduate from CTCs can enter many careers, such as nursing, automotive repair, and cybersecurity.
- Selectivity: least selective
- Campus Size: 5,000 - 30,000
- Tuition: low (around $4,000 per year)
- Degrees Offered: certificates & associates degrees (AA, AAS)
Did you know?
- Some CTCs now offer Bachelors degrees (Edmonds, Everett, Bellevue, etc.)
- 40% of 4-year graduates in WA started at a community college.
4-year Public & Private Colleges / Universities
These schools offer bachelor's degrees, usually completed in 4 years of full-time study. Private schools typically charge a higher tuition but can offer a significant amount of scholarships to make attendance affordable. Students that graduate from these schools can become robotics engineers, business analysts, nutritionists, etc.
Examples of public universities in WA include University of Washington, Western WA, Central WA, and/or Eastern WA University.
- Public Selectivity: moderate to highly selective
- Public Campus Size: over 10,000
- Public Tuition: medium ($7,000 - $11,000 per year)
- Public Degrees Offered: bachelor's degrees (BA or BS)
Examples of private universities in WA include Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, Pacific Lutheran University, and/or Gonzaga.
- Private Selectivity: moderate to highly selective
- Private Campus Size: less than 5,000
- Private Tuition: high (over $30,000 per year)
- Private Degrees Offered: bachelor's degrees (BA or BS)
Don't know what you want to do yet?
Think about your interests, skills, and work values.
- Use Career Exploration tools to determine your future career pathway.
- List job ideas, interests, skills, and work values - then research how they can connect to a job. Use the Self-Assessment Resources for guidance.
Determine how to qualify for different jobs.
- What skills, classes, specific degrees or training will you need? See the Career Planning page.
Get experience.
- Volunteer, get an internship, or job shadow.
Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program (WAGAP)
The Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program (WAGAP)TM supports a college-going culture and guaranteed admission efforts at Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, The Evergreen State College, University of Washington Tacoma, Washington State University and Western Washington University. Together, and in partnership with our communities, we are committed to meeting the college and career goals of Washington students to increase access and credential completion in Washington through WAGAP.
Learn more here: https://councilofpresidents.org/_admissions/guaranteed-admissions-program-gap/
Did you know?
Today, over 80% of colleges and universities no longer require standardized test scores from the SAT or ACT.
All students, before registering to take either of these tests, are encouraged to first review college websites to view their testing policies or visit fairtest.org to learn more. You may also reach out to your Counselor so we can assist you in determining if you would need to take these tests.
preparing for college in high school
- Graduation Requirements & Choosing Prep Classes
- Career Steps to Take in High School
- Preparing for Senior Year & Building a College Profile
- Preparing for college: Junior Checklist
- Preparing for college: Senior Checklist
- College applications: faq's
- College applications: Personal statement & essay tips
- Podcast: What I Wish I Knew Before College
- Printed Resources
Graduation Requirements & Choosing Prep Classes
High school is a time to build your skills and explore your interests to prepare you for life after high school. In order to graduate there are requirements you must meet and it's important to become familiar with them.
What do I need to do to graduate from high school?
Earn Required Credits - student in WA State must complete a minimum of 24 credits to graduate from high school.
Meet Standard on State Assessments - you must take and pass state assessments in English, Math, and Science or take and meet standard through one of a variety of state-approved alternatives.
Complete your High School & Beyond Plan - starting in 7th or 8th grade you will create a plan to help you think about your future and choose classes that prepare you for your goals after high school.
What classes should I take? (Preparing for College)
The classes you take in high school prepare you for your post high school plans. Whether you choose to pursue an apprenticeship or a technical, 2-year, 4-year college, or military academy, you will want to learn their specific admissions requirements.
MATH IS IMPORTANT:
- Most college programs, apprenticeships, and military options require you to take math. Taking more math in high school may mean taking less math in college and opening more post-high school options.
- Over 50% of high school graduates are not ready for college-level classes.
- Taking four years of high school math will help you get ready for college and can help you save on tuition costs!
What are colleges looking for?
- A challenging class schedule, including courses where you can earn college credit. Examples include, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge International, College in the High School (CHS), Running Start (RS), or CTE Dual Credit that can lead to a career credential or associate's degree.
- Electives that match your career and college interests including career and technical education programs of study.
- Some colleges may have additional entrance or admission requirements, such as taking the SAT or ACT.
- Consider taking academic classes for your elective requirements, such as foreign language and/or multiple lab sciences.
TIPS:
- What you do in high school can influence your future.
- Pay attention in class and keep track of your grades.
- Use a planner to stay organized and write down assignments, due dates, and other responsibilities.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help. Be an advocate for yourself and ask for support from your counselors, teachers, family members and mentors.
Career Steps to Take in High School
Try on a career with Career & Technical Education
- Do you like welding or carpentry? Ever thought about becoming a nurse or pharmacist? Or maybe you like working with technology or enjoy sales and marketing. Explore these jobs in high school with Career and Technical Education (CTE).
- CTE blends academic subjects like math and writing with jobs you'd actually like to do! So while you're learning about right angles or how to write a report, you're also able to create a business plan or use a miter saw to build something. And if you like what you're learning, you can dig deeper into the subject and, in some cases, earn both high school and college credits.
- View the CTE Pathways available in the Edmonds School District
Skills Centers: Dig Deeper into careers
- Whether your passion is for cooking, learning to build robots, or helping people get healthy, Skills Centers offer you a place to explore those interests in-depth. With Skills Centers, you get hands-on, specialized training in areas that range from culinary arts to robotics technology to nursing. Often, you're able to earn industry certification and college credits while you're still in high school. Plus you add value to your resume, for when you start looking for a job.
- Learn more about our local Skills Center: Sno-Isle Tech
Need career help or have a learning disability?
- If you are a student with a disability with an Individualized Education Plan or 504 Plan, or if you just need a little extra help with career development and job skills, check out the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). DVR helps people figure out how to get into careers even if they have struggled in school.
- More info: 1-800-637-5627 | DVR Website
Create your High School & Beyond Plan
- The High School & Beyond Plan is a Washington graduation requirement. It's also a tool to chart your future, and the education steps to get you where you want to go. Remember, you can always change your plan as your interests change. Work with your teachers, counselors, and family to create a plan that's right for you.
- View more information on ESD's HSBP requirements, and find resources to complete them.
Information provided by "Where Are You Going? Guide 2022-2025 - WA Career Bridge
Preparing for Senior Year & Building a College Profile
What should I do prior to Senior Year?
- Visit colleges or attend college fairs and talk to admissions counselors.
- Make a calendar for important dates and deadlines.
- Develop a list of several college choices.
- Search for and apply to scholarships.
- Save money for college expenses.
What should I do my Senior Year?
- Schedule an advising appointment with your Counselor or the Career Center.
- If you are enrolled in dual credit courses, talk to your Counselor about taking AP, IB, CHS, RS, or CTE classes to earn college credit.
- Complete the FAFSA or WASFA.
- Discuss a college budget with your family.
- Work to maintain or increase your GPA with senior year grades. Colleges and scholarships require you to send fall AND spring official transcripts.
Am I on track to graduate?
- Make sure you have all the credits needed to graduate.
- Check in regularly with your teachers about your grades.
- Continue completing other graduation requirements, such as your HSBP.
Building Your College Profile
Colleges don't only consider your grades. They want applicants who contribute to the campus and/or the community. Specific activities can make you a more competitive applicant and help you build your work resume. They should also be documented in your HSBP that is required for high school graduation.
What kind of activities should I pursue?
- Athletics
- Community service
- Jobs or Internships
- Music, drama and arts
- School clubs or Summer programs
- Student government / Leadership
GOOD TO KNOW: The level of commitment and leadership in your activities matter more in the admission review process than the number of activities.
What is an activities log (Resume)?
Some applications require an activities log/resume. This list of your extracurricular activities provides a sense of your involvement in and outside of school. You should also include a short description of your involvement for each activity.
NO TIME? Colleges understand that many students have work, family and other responsibilities. Many applications include a section where you can write about yourself or your circumstances. For example, many students need to work multiple jobs to support their family. This is considered leadership.
What is a brag sheet?
Not to be confused with a resume for college applications, the brag sheet is specifically for people writing letters of recommendation. The goal of a brag sheet is to benefit you and make the writing process as simple as possible for your recommender. It might include something specific about the class a student took with a teacher or details of a project. It’s one of the biggest opportunities, as the title implies, to brag about yourself. You get to list your various accomplishments over the years and tell people what makes you a unique and special person.
WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR BRAG SHEET:
- Schools You’re Applying to + Deadlines
- Expected Major/Career Goals
- For teachers: what you learned in their class, your proudest moments in the class that back up qualities you hope they will highlight
- For counselors and other staff: your strengths as a student and person, with examples to back them up
- Honors and Awards
- Extracurriculars (sports, clubs, work/volunteer experience)
- Additional Information (if you had any special circumstances, such as a personal or family illness, that impacted your academic and extracurricular participation during high school)
Preparing for college: Junior Checklist
OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER:
- Talk to your school Counselor about the year ahead.
- Start developing a resume.
- If you haven't participated in many activities outside of class, now is the time to start.
JANUARY / FEBRUARY:
- Meet with your school Counselor to develop your schedule for senior year.
- Look for summer opportunities in college campuses or in the community.
MARCH / APRIL:
- Begin taking a more serious look at colleges and universities.
- Begin planning college visits (if possible).
- Develop a preliminary list of colleges that interest you.
- Think about lining up a summer job, internship, or volunteer position.
MAY - SUMMER
- Make a list of teachers, counselors, employers, and other adults you might ask to write letters of recommendation.
- Continue investigating colleges.
- Begin thinking about your applications.
FREE TEST PREPARATION TOOLS:
- SAT / ACT: (4-Year Universities) Did you know? Today, over 80% of colleges and universities no longer require standardized test scores from the SAT or ACT. All students, before registering to take either of these tests, are encouraged to first review college websites to view their testing policies or visit fairtest.org to learn more. You may also reach out to your counselor so we can assist you in determining if you would need to take these tests. SAT Info | ACT Info
- ACCUPLACER: (Community & Technical Colleges) ACCUPLACER Practice
- ASVAB: (Military) ASVAB Info
Preparing for college: Senior Checklist
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER
- Take a look at college applications.
- Visit your school Counselor to make sure you are on-track to graduate.
- Take every opportunity to get to know colleges.
- Some colleges and universities require a CSS/Financial Aid Profile - make sure to take a look at the FAFSA/WASFA application.
OCTOBER
- Some colleges will have deadlines as early as this month.
- Ask your Counselor to help you request an application fee waiver (if applicable).
- Finalize your college essay.
- Request personal recommendations from teachers, school counselors, or employers.
- Research scholarships.
NOVEMBER
- Finalize and send applications due this month.
- Every college will require a copy of your transcript from your high school. (no worries; mid & final-year transcripts are sent via SCOIR)
DECEMBER / JANUARY
- Finalize and send applications due this month.
- File the FAFSA/WASFA application (which one you file depends on your eligibility)
- Apply for scholarships.
FEBRUARY / MARCH / APRIL
- No senioritis!
- Acceptance letters and financial aid offers will start to arrive.
MAY / JUNE
- In some cases, the college you plan to attend requires a commitment and/or financial deposit to begin.
- If you are waitlisted by a college you really want to attend, visit, call, and write them. Additionally - consider your back-ups. You want to attend a college that fits both your personal and professional needs.
SUMMER
- Summer jobs - extra cash is always handy.
- If you are going to live on campus, make a list of what you will need to take with you to your dorm room.
- Some colleges offer a summer orientation/registration/events - if you have extra time and transportation, take advantage to get to know your new environment. If you will be driving to school, this is a perfect time to also pick up your parking permit!
College applications: faq's
During college application completion...
What is my "entering term" and "year"?
Most students will select the fall "term" following senior year (so if you are graduating in 2025, you will select Fall 2025); this may vary depending on the school, program, or location of study you have chosen.
- Address: You will need to include a physical address even if you use a Post Office Box for your mailing address. Make sure this information is correct. The date the address became your permanent mailing address is the month and year you moved to this location.
- Personal Information: When completing applications, you may be asked to enter your nine-digit Social Security Number. The college will use this number to determine your residency for tuition purposes. If you do not have a nine-digit Social Security Number, enter all zeroes in the application. You may also want to consider learning more about and/or completing a WASFA application.
What is my entrance status?
The following are definitions of each status -
- First-year/Freshman: First-year/Freshman will be the first college in which you enroll after graduating high school (most high school seniors will have this status).
- Transfer: A Transfer Student is a student who starts at one college, and then decides to attend another.
- Did you know? 40% of 4-year graduates in WA started at a Community College and transferred to a 4-Year University.
- Non-Degree: You want to take college courses but are not seeking a degree/not wanting to study anything particular at this time.
What is my desired major?
A major is an academic area in which you are most interested, like Math, English, or Biomedical Engineering. Under "First Choice", you can choose your first choice of majors. You may also check "Undecided"; however, some colleges want you to declare a major upon applying. You can change your major once you're in college no matter what you put in this section now. If you are "Denied" or "Waitlisted" for your first choice, you can also re-apply.
College Information: What should I list for current college courses in progress or planned?
Dual credit programs through college course enrollment (Running Start, College in the High School, CTE Pathways) may be added here; however, do not list AP Courses.
School Specific Information: What additional information will I need to include for each college application?
This information varies by school. You can find more information by looking at the school's website. For this reason, it's a good idea to look at each school's application prior to sitting down to complete it.
College applications: Personal statement & essay tips
Choose a topic that will highlight you.
- Don't focus on the great aspects of a particular college, the amount of dedication it takes to be a doctor or the number of extracurricular activities you took part in during high school.
- Do share your personal story and thoughts, take a creative approach and highlight areas that aren't covered in other parts of the application.
Keep your focus narrow and personal.
- Don't try to cover too many topics. This will make the essay sound like a resume and won't provide any additional details about you.
- Do focus on one aspect of yourself so the readers can learn more about who you are. Remember that the readers must be able to find your main idea and follow it from beginning to end. Ask a parent or teacher to read your introduction and tell you what he or she thinks your essay is about.
Show, don't tell.
- Don't simply state a fact to get an idea across, such as "I like to surround myself with people with a variety of backgrounds and interests."
- Do include specific details, examples, and reasons to develop your ideas. For the example above, describe a situation when you were surrounded by various types of people. What were doing? Whom did you talk with? What did you take away from the experience?
Use your own voice.
- Don't rely on phrases or ideas that people have used many times before. These could include statements like, "There is so much suffering in the world that I feel I have to help people." Avoid overly formal or business-like language, and don't use unnecessary words.
- Do write in your own voice. For the above example, you could write about a real experience that you had and how it made you feel you had to take action. And note that admission officers will be able to tell if your essay was edited by an adult.
Ask a teacher or parent to proofread.
- Don't turn your essay in without proofreading it, and don't rely only on your computer's spell check to catch mistakes. A spell-check program will miss types like these:
- "After I graduate form high school, I plan to get a summer job."
- From that day on, Daniel was my best fried."
- Do ask a teacher or parent to proofread your essay to catch mistakes. You should also ask the person who proofreads your essay if the writing sounds like you.
Podcast: What I Wish I Knew Before College
Podcast: What I Wish I Knew Before College | LISTEN HERE
Here’s the tea: the dining hall food may be trash and you might *actually* miss your hometown, but you WILL make friends and join really cool clubs. In this episode, hear from 4 recent college grads about what they wish they knew before college!
Printed Resources
ATTENTION: Printed resources are available in the Career Center here at school!
- College Knowledge: Comprehensive College Readiness Information
- Junior/Senior Student Workbook: Navigating College Admissions & Financial Aid
- Senior Graduate Handbook
- Senior Brag Sheet Template
- College Essay Help
- + More!
The Career Center is located off of the library (Main Building | Enter through Courtyard).
paying for college
- Ways to Pay for College
- financial aid options (wsac)
- FAFSA & WASFA
- FAFSA & WASFA Resources
- Scholarships
- Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
Ways to Pay for College
Types of Financial Aid
- Scholarships: Money awarded to students based in academic or other achievements to help pay for education expenses. Scholarships generally do not have to be repaid.
- Grants: A form of gift aid, usually based on financial need. A grant does not need to be repaid unless, for example, you withdraw from a school and owe a refund.
- Loans: Money you can borrow and repay over time, with interest added in most cases.
- Work Study: A financial aid program (federal or state) that allows a student to work on-campus or with approved off-campus employers to earn money to pay for college expenses.
financial aid options (wsac)
About Financial Aid
- Washington State Financial Aid Programs: An overview of the financial aid programs available to Washington students
- Apply for Financial Aid: Learn more and complete a FAFSA or WASFA financial aid application
- Participating Institutions: A list of colleges and universities that participated in state financial aid programs
- Financial Aid Appeals: If you or someone in your family has lost a job or is working less, colleges may be able to provide more financial aid
- WASFA: State financial aid for individuals who are undocumented and other select applicants
Need-Based Programs
- Washington College Grant: Provides eligible students financial assistance for tuition, books, and fees
- College Bound Scholarship: Provides financial assistance to low-income students who dream of a college education
- State Work Study: Provides eligible students an approved job to support their education
- Passport to Careers: Helps former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth attend and succeed in college and apprenticeship programs
- Passport to Careers Guide: In-depth guide to help Passport-eligible students prepare, apply, and pay for college, apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeship programs
- WA Grant to Apprenticeship: Helps income-eligible apprentices pay for tuition, fees, and materials
Merit-Based Programs
- American Indian Endowed Scholarship: Provides a competitive scholarship to outstanding eligible students
- Washington Award for Vocational Excellence: Recognizes graduating high school seniors and community & technical college students for outstanding performance in career and technical education (CTE) programs.
Targeted Workforce
- Aerospace Loan Program: Supporting employment needs of Washington’s aerospace industry
- Teacher Programs: Supporting the current and future teacher workforce
- Washington Health Corps: Encouraging licensed health professionals to provide care at approved sites in rural or underserved areas
- National Guard Grant: Helping members of the National Guard get an undergraduate degree or certificate
- Tuition Waiver for Dependents of Veterans: Helping dependents of veterans pay for postsecondary
Student Loan Debt
- Student Loan Advocacy: Supporting current and future student loan borrowers in Washington
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): Providing loan forgiveness for eligible government and nonprofit employees
FAFSA & WASFA
What is FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to apply for financial aid. Completing the FAFSA is free and gives you access to the largest source of financial aid. Based on the info you provide, each college will calculate your financial aid award.
Who is eligible?
- US Citizens and legal permanent residents should complete the FAFSA
What info do I need to apply?
- Basic information (name, birthdate, etc.)
- Parent & student tax/income information
- Your list of colleges
What is WASFA?
The Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) is the first step to apply for financial aid for undocumented students. Completing the WASFA is free and gives eligible students access to state financial aid. Undocumented students with or without DACA should complete WASFA.
Who is eligible?
- Eligibility is based on immigration status. Students must meet individual program and residency requirements. For specifics, use the eligibility questionnaire at Ready-Set-Grad.
What info do I need to apply?
- Basic information (name, birthdate, etc.)
- Parent & student tax/income information
- Your list of colleges (WA State only)
- Your DACA # (if you have one)
FAFSA & WASFA Resources
Get Live FAFSA Help!
Did you know?
With a Sno-Isle library card, you may also speak with live experts at Brainfuse HelpNow who can walk you step-by-step through the process of completing the FAFSA. Visit the Live Tutoring section of Brainfuse and choose “FAFSA Assistance” from the “Select Grade” and “Select Subject” drop down menus. Then click on the blue “Get Live Help” button to connect with an expert seven days a week from 1pm – 11pm PST. Library cards are free!
Other resources:
- Got an Award Letter? Which Financial Aid is the best to accept? Learn More!
- Not happy with the Financial Aid Package? SwiftStudent will help you write a financial aid appeal letter - for free! Check it out HERE.
- Keys to Success: Financial Aid Resources (12th Year Campaign)
- 2025-2026 FAFSA Guides:
- Create an FSA ID Guides:
- WASFA Guides:
Scholarships
What are scholarships?
Scholarships award money for education expenses based on criteria such as academics, athletics, community service, or financial need. Community organizations, colleges, religious institutions and private companies are examples of scholarship providers. Regardless of your background or immigration status, there is likely a scholarship for you.
Where can I look for scholarships?
The Career Center is a great place to start! Check out the MDHS Scholarship page.
What types of scholarships can I apply for?
- Academic/Merit: based on GPA, test scores, and/or coursework
- Athletic: based on athletic performance
- Creative: based on talent in art, music, or dance
- Community Service: based on involvement in your school or community
- Diversity: based on race, ethnicity, family heritage, religion, sexual orientation, etc.
- Need-Based: based on financial need
- Other: leadership, alumni, etc.
How do I apply?
- Research scholarships you are eligible for.
- Submit your applications; make sure to following instructions carefully!
- Complete the FAFSA and/or WASFA.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
Going to college out of state may mean paying up to three times more than attending a school or university in your home state/territory*. The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) was established in 1987 to make college more affordable and accessible to students in the West.
Through WUE, students from the WICHE region* can choose from hundreds of undergraduate programs across the West and pay no more than 150% of the institution’s resident tuition rate.
Today, more than 160 public colleges and universities offer reduced tuition rates through WUE to qualifying students. Participating schools offer these discounted rates to help students avoid the full cost of pursuing higher education outside their home state and minimize the impact of student loan debt.
Find your perfect match. Download the list of WUE schools and use the online WUE Tuition Savings Finder to see how much you can save.
Washington college(s)
- General Information
- Public Baccalaureate Colleges
- Public Community Colleges | Technical Schools
- independent (private) colleges
- Tribal Colleges
- Seminaries & Related Programs
- Legislatively Created and Endorsed
General Information
Every college is different. Keep track of each college's requirements, and make sure you meet deadlines for applications and related materials.
- Start working on application essays early. Senior year is a busy time! Starting essays now is a great way for juniors to prepare for college applications.
- Reach out to your counselor and teachers for help gathering application materials, including forms, test scores, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
Washington state community and technical colleges (CTCs) offer a wide variety of programs. CTCs are typically open to anyone who has a high school diploma or GED. Students can train to enter into a job directly, complete the first two years of a bachelor's degree and then transfer, or pursue applied bachelor's degrees for specific career fields.
- Search for a Washington community or technical college based on location and programs of study.
- Contact your local community or technical college, and/or 4-year university. Ask about certificate and degree options for careers you're interested in.
Most Washington colleges no longer require high school seniors to take standardized tests like the SAT or ACT. Check with each college directly for the latest admissions information.
Public Baccalaureate Colleges
Research Universities
- University of Washington
- University of Washington Bothell
- University of Washington Tacoma
- Washington State University
- Washington State University Tri-Cities
- Washington State University Vancouver
- Washington State University Spokane
Public Comprehensive Institutions
- Central Washington University
- Eastern Washington University
- Western Washington University
- The Evergreen State College
Public Community Colleges | Technical Schools
- Bates Technical College
- Bellevue College
- Bellingham Technical College
- Big Bend Community College
- Cascadia College
- Centralia College
- Clark College
- Clover Park Technical College
- Columbia Basin College
- Edmonds Community College
- Everett Community College
- Grays Harbor College
- Green River Community College
- Highline College
- Lake Washington Institute of Technology
- Lower Columbia College
- North Seattle College
- Olympic College
- Peninsula College
- Pierce College - Fort Steilacoom/Puyallup
- Renton Technical College
- Seattle Central College
- Shoreline Community College
- Skagit Valley College
- South Puget Sound Community College
- South Seattle College
- Spokane Community College
- Spokane Falls Community College
- Tacoma Community College
- Walla Walla Community College
- Wenatchee Valley College
- Whatcom Community College
- Yakima Valley Community College
independent (private) colleges
Independent Colleges of Washington (ICW)
ICW is an association of 10 private, nonprofit colleges in the state. ICW's member institutions share a commitment to high-quality, academically rigorous learning, and to an education that emphasizes critical thinking, lifelong learning, ethics, leadership, and community service.
- Gonzaga University
- Heritage University
- Pacific Lutheran University
- Saint Martin's University
- Seattle Pacific University
- Seattle University
- University of Puget Sound
- Walla Walla University
- Whitman College
- Whitworth University
Tribal Colleges
Seminaries & Related Programs
- Agape Christian Fellowship International Bible College
- Armour Bible College and Armour Seminary
- Ascension Theological College
- Bible Institute of Seattle
- Bishop A.L. Hardy Academy of Theology
- Canby Bible College
- Cascadia Northwest Theological Seminary
- Central Baptist Theological Seminary
- College for Global Deployment
- Columbia Evangelical Seminary
- Covenant Bible Seminary
- Crown Institute of Theology
- Faith Christian College
- Freedom Covenant Seminary
- Gateway Seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention
- Horizon College of Ministry
- International College of Metaphysical Theology
- International Graduate School of Ministry
- KAES Bible College & Seminary
- KPCA Northwestern Presbyterian Theological Seminary
- La Universidad Cristiana, Inc.
- Living Faith Fellowship College of Ministry
- Logos Online Seminary and University LLC
- The Master's University and Seminary
- The New International University
- Northpoint University
- Pacific Theological Seminary
- Pursuit School of Ministry
- Renewed Life Seminary
- Seattle Bible College
- Seattle Theological Seminary
- Shepherds Bible College
- Sound Baptist Bible College
- THS Academy for Pastoral Leadership
- Triune Biblical University
- United Theological Seminary and Bible College
- University of Christian Studies and Seminary
- University of Theology & Spirituality
- Victory Bible Training Center
- Washington College and International Seminary
- Washington International Mission University
- Washington Seminary
- Western Reformed Seminary
- Western Seminary
- Woolston-Steen Theological Seminary
- Word & Spirit Institute NW