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2026 Best General Education Schools in Washington

7 Colleges in the United States
709 General Education Degrees Awarded
$59,859 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general education programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general education students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for General Education in Washington

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general education education in Washington.

Top Schools in General Education

1

Seattle Pacific University tops our 2026 ranking of the best general education schools. Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 general education students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Pacific University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $52,713 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full general education details for Seattle Pacific University

2

University Of Washington Seattle Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general education, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 101 general education degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $60,476. Students borrow a median of $15,729 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

3

A rank of #3 makes Whitworth University one of the top schools for general education. Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spokane. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 15 general education degrees were awarded at Whitworth University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from Whitworth University earn around $80,115 in the first couple years of their career. Whitworth University graduates carry a median of $26,051 in student loans. Get the full general education details for Whitworth University

4

University Of Puget Sound is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general education, ranking #4. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of Puget Sound graduates 68% of students within six years. University Of Puget Sound awarded about 22 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $44,866 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for University Of Puget Sound

5

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general education, ranking #5. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $60,476 in their early career. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates carry a median of $15,729 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus

6
Gonzaga University crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University earned the #6 position for general education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Spokane. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 general education degrees were awarded at Gonzaga University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Gonzaga University generally make around $61,913. Typical student debt for the program is $25,188. Get the full general education details for Gonzaga University

7

Central Washington University placed #7 among the best general education schools. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 65 general education degrees were awarded at Central Washington University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $44,178 in their early career. Central Washington University graduates carry a median of $21,988 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at Central Washington University

8

University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #8 for general education this year. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of Washington Bothell Campus awarded about 74 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn around $60,476 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,729. See the full general education program report for University Of Washington Bothell Campus

9

Eastern Washington University landed the #9 spot for general education this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. Eastern Washington University awarded about 277 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $67,369 early in their careers. Eastern Washington University graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at Eastern Washington University

10

City University Of Seattle placed #10 among the best general education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Seattle. There were roughly 53 general education students who graduated with this degree at City University Of Seattle in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from City University Of Seattle earn around $76,698 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for City University Of Seattle

11
Northwest University crest
Northwest University
Kirkland, WA

Northwest University landed the #11 spot for general education this year. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Northwest University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Northwest University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 general education students who graduated with this degree at Northwest University in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Northwest University earn a median of $53,910 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,439. More information about a degree in general education from Northwest University

12

Antioch University Seattle ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Antioch University Seattle is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Antioch University Seattle awarded about 13 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Antioch University Seattle generally make around $55,121. Students borrow a median of $29,832 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from Antioch University Seattle

View All General Education Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 18 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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