Colleges and Institutions in Washington

Public Baccalaureates

Public Baccalaureate Colleges and Universities

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

Independent Colleges

Independent Colleges of Washington  (ICW)

ICW is an association of nine 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
Whitman College
Whitworth University

Public CTCs

Public Community and Technical Colleges

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 College

Tribal Colleges

Tribal Colleges

Northwest Indian College

Authorized Institutions

Authorized Institutions

Operation requirements:

All degree-granting institutions operating in Washington must be authorized by the Washington Student Achievement Council or be determined to be exempt from that requirement. The following are lists of degree-granting institutions that have received authorization for three different types of operation in the state. Authorization applies only to specific programs, locations, or activities the institution requested for authorization. Institutions must renew their authorization every two years. 

Institutions authorized for a physical location in the state:

Andrews University
Antioch University
Carrington College Spokane
Central Texas College
Charter College
Columbia College of Missouri
Cornell University
Covenant Theological Seminary
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide
Faith International University
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Great Northern University
Liberty University
Moody Bible Institute
New York University
Northeastern University
Pacific Northwest Christian College
Park University of Missouri
Perry Technical Institute
Pima Medical Institute
Saybrook University
Seattle Film Institute 
Southeastern University
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Tufts University 
University Child Development School
University of Maryland Global Campus
University of the Cumberlands
Vincennes University

These institutions are authorized to advertise and recruit in the state for programs offered via distance learning or at out-of-state campuses:

Carrington College-Sacramento
Universal Technical Institute of Northern California
WyoTech Laramie
 

These institutions are authorized to offer field placements. Field placements can be internships, externships, clinical training, practica, etc. in Washington State as part of distance learning programs: 

California State University, Northridge
Chamberlain University
Concordia University Irvine
Concordia University, St. Paul
Fielding Graduate University
Fuller Theological Seminary
Hope International University
Miami University
National University
Pacific College of Health and Science
Pacific Oaks College
Pepperdine University
San Joaquin Valley College
San Jose State University
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
United States University
University of Massachusetts Global
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
University of San Francisco
University of Southern California
Walden University
Western University of Health Sciences

Continuously Exempt Institutions

Continuous exemption:

Continuously exempt institutions are exempt from state authorization and review, as long as they continue to meet exemption requirements outlined in state laws and rules. The following institutions are continuously exempt: 

Bastyr University
City University of Seattle
Cornish College of the Arts
DigiPen Institute of Technology
Gonzaga University
Heritage University
Northwest College of Art & Design
Northwest University
Northwest Indian College
Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding
Pacific Lutheran University
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
Saint Martin's University
Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle School of Theology and Psychology
Seattle University
University of Puget Sound
Walla Walla University
Whitman College
Whitworth University

Conditional Institutions

Information on conditionally exempt institutions:

Conditionally exempt institutions offer degree programs or courses exclusively to federal employees and their dependents at military bases or other federal sites. The state may review these every two years. These institutions include the following:

Baylor University
Vincennes University

Conditional waivers are granted in rare circumstances to institutions with limited educational offerings. These institutions include the following: 

Bard College
Lewis-Clark State College
Oregon Institute of Technology

Seminaries & Related Programs

Institutions of a strictly religious nature may be eligible for exemption from authorization.

The following seminaries and church-related colleges and programs are exempt from authorization:

Agape Christian Fellowship International Bible College
Anchor School of Discipleship and Ministry
Armour Bible College and Armour Seminary
Ascension Theological College
Bishop A.L. Hardy Academy of Theology
Central Baptist Theological Seminary
College for Global Deployment 
Covenant Theological Seminary
Crown Institute of Theology
Faith Christian College
Full Bright Theological Seminary
Gateway Seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention
Integrity International Bible Seminary
International College of Metaphysical Theology
KAES Bible College & Seminary
KPCA Northwestern Presbyterian Theological Seminary
La Universidad Cristiana, Inc.
Living Faith Fellowship College of Ministry
The Master's University and Seminary
The New International University
Northpoint University
Pacific Theological Seminary
Pursuit School of Ministry
Reach Training Institute
Renewed Life Seminary
Seattle Bible College
Seattle Theological Seminary
Shepherds Bible College
Sound Baptist Bible College
Texas Baptist Institute & Seminary
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
Western Reformed Seminary
Woolston-Steen Theological Seminary

Legislatively Created and Endorsed

Legislatively Created and Endorsed

Western Governors University (WGU)

Western Governors University is an online, nonprofit, competency-based university providing bachelor's and master's degrees in select programs with flat-rate tuition.

Private For-Profit Career Colleges

Private For-Profit Career Colleges

The following non-degree granting institutions are not under the Washington Student Achievement Council's regulatory authority, other than that they participate in state financial aid programs.

Divers Institute of Technology
Evergreen Beauty College
Gene Juarez Academy
Glen Dow Academy
International Air & Hospitality Academy
Paul Mitchell The School Richland
Stylemasters College of Hair Design

Resources

External websites:

Council of Presidents
Independent Colleges of Washington
State Board for Community & Technical Colleges

Career Bridge: Career Bridge is a one-stop, searchable database of education and training programs throughout Washington state where you'll find: 

• Washington State's Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List.
• Average earnings and employment outlook for your career choice.
• What you'll need to learn to get those jobs and where to go to get the training and education. 

The site was created by the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board in a partnership of labor, business, and government dedicated to helping Washington residents obtain family-wage jobs, while meeting employers' needs for skilled workers.