Unlock Your Psychology Career Potential: Compare the Best Psychology Degree Programs in Washington for 2025

$18,576

Avg. Net Price

84%

Avg. Admitted

25%

Avg. Enrolled

64%

Avg. Graduation Rate

13/1

Avg. Student / Faculty

Psychology Degree Programs in Washington

Find and compare the best psychology degree programs by state.

22

Number of Schools

In Washington, there are 22 4-year schools that offer psychology degrees

93

Number of Programs

With 22 schools offering psychology programs, the total number of programs offered in Washington is 93

3,780

Number of Graduates

The 93 psychology programs in Washington produced 3,780 psychology graduates in 2021

Psychology Degree Programs in Washington

Washington Psychology Degrees Programs

Top (10) Psychology Programs in Washington

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

2021 Psychology Graduates: 810
Average Cost to Attend: $29,491
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $15,136
Average Net Price: $8,701
Average Admitted: 53%
Average Enrolled: 28%
Average Graduation Rate: 84%
Student / Faculty: 21 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 52%
Washington Ranking: #1
National Ranking: #74

Western Washington University

2021 Psychology Graduates: 252
Average Cost to Attend: $25,503
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $8,210
Average Net Price: $11,388
Average Admitted: 96%
Average Enrolled: 28%
Average Graduation Rate: 68%
Student / Faculty: 17 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 68%
Washington Ranking: #2
National Ranking: #199

Washington State University

2021 Psychology Graduates: 534
Average Cost to Attend: $26,807
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $17,470
Average Net Price: $11,877
Average Admitted: 86%
Average Enrolled: 26%
Average Graduation Rate: 60%
Student / Faculty: 15 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 64%
Washington Ranking: #3
National Ranking: #258

University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

2021 Psychology Graduates: 242
Average Cost to Attend: $28,381
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $3,227
Average Net Price: $10,310
Average Admitted: 83%
Average Enrolled: 34%
Average Graduation Rate: 58%
Student / Faculty: 16 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 77%
Washington Ranking: #4
National Ranking: #290

Northwest University

2021 Psychology Graduates: 71
Average Cost to Attend: $46,840
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $807
Average Net Price: $23,169
Average Admitted: 96%
Average Enrolled: 36%
Average Graduation Rate: 58%
Student / Faculty: 11 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 27%
Washington Ranking: #5
National Ranking: #379

Gonzaga University

2021 Psychology Graduates: 113
Average Cost to Attend: $65,751
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $4,796
Average Net Price: $35,529
Average Admitted: 76%
Average Enrolled: 19%
Average Graduation Rate: 85%
Student / Faculty: 11 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 57%
Washington Ranking: #6
National Ranking: #209

Whitman College

2021 Psychology Graduates: 32
Average Cost to Attend: $71,560
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $1,190
Average Net Price: $35,627
Average Admitted: 59%
Average Enrolled: 16%
Average Graduation Rate: 89%
Student / Faculty: 9 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 83%
Washington Ranking: #7
National Ranking: #198

University of Washington-Bothell Campus

2021 Psychology Graduates: 166
Average Cost to Attend: $29,854
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $2,753
Average Net Price: $7,577
Average Admitted: 83%
Average Enrolled: 25%
Average Graduation Rate: 66%
Student / Faculty: 22 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 61%
Washington Ranking: #8
National Ranking: #406

Pacific Lutheran University

2021 Psychology Graduates: 57
Average Cost to Attend: $62,153
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $2,455
Average Net Price: $23,568
Average Admitted: 88%
Average Enrolled: 18%
Average Graduation Rate: 69%
Student / Faculty: 11 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 63%
Washington Ranking: #9
National Ranking: #420

Eastern Washington University

2021 Psychology Graduates: 547
Average Cost to Attend: $24,030
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $6,734
Average Net Price: $13,650
Average Admitted: 97%
Average Enrolled: 32%
Average Graduation Rate: 50%
Student / Faculty: 20 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 78%
Washington Ranking: #10
National Ranking: #853

Psychology Programs Offered in Washington

There are 93 undergraduate psychology programs offered by 22 different 4-year colleges, comprising 9 public and 13 private schools.

Additionally, psychology programs in Washington produced 2,681 bachelor’s graduates, 997 master’s graduates and 102 doctorate graduates.

The table below details the programs offered and the total number of graduates in Washington.

Psychology GraduatesBSMAPhD
Clinical Child Psychology25
Clinical Psychology18
Community Psychology83
Comparative Psychology8
Counseling and Applied Psychology10015939
Counseling Psychology246
Developmental Psychology63
Educational Psychology73
Experimental Psychology3
Forensic Psychology1
General Psychology1,6013120
Industrial Organizational Psychology256
Marriage and Family Therapy88
Medical Psychology16
Medical Social Work113
Mental Health Counseling60
Research Psychology573225
School Psychology64
Social Work2443685
Total Graduates2,681997102
US Department of Education

Credits Accepted for Washington Schools

The types of academic credits available to Washington students are varied and include:

  • Dual enrollment
  • Credit for life experiences
  • Advanced placement (AP) credits

Psychology Admission, Enrollment, and Graduation in Washington

On average, Washington schools admitted 84% of students who applied to 4-year institutions. Of those who were offered admission, 25% enrolled.

The average freshman retention rate for Washington schools is 79%, compared to 71% for all universities nationwide.

The overall graduation rate for 4-year colleges and universities in Washington is 64%, compared to 56% for all universities nationwide.

The top three schools in Washington for highest graduation rate are Whitman College (89%), Gonzaga University (85%), and University of Washington-Seattle Campus (84%).

The top three schools with the highest number of psychology graduates in Washington are University of Washington-Seattle Campus (810), Eastern Washington University (547), and Washington State University (534).

RegionWashingtonU.S.
Applied8,3238,766
Admitted84%73%
Enrolled25%26%
1st Year Return79%71%
Graduation64%56%
US Department of Education

Student & Faculty Information in Washington

In the fall of 2021, Washington schools that offered psychology programs had an average of 55% full-time instructional or research faculty members and 43% part-time instructional faculty members.

The average student-to-faculty ratio for Washington schools offering psychology programs is 13:1.

The table below shows a comparison of the percentage of full-time instructional and research faculty members and the student-to-faculty ratio between Washington and the United States as a whole:

RegionWashingtonU.S.
Full-Time Instructional50%56%
Full-Time Research6%6%
Part-Time Instructional43%35%
Student Faculty Ratio13:115:1
US Department of Education

Tuition and Student Expenses in Washington

If you’re an undergraduate psychology student in Washington, the average tuition you’ll pay depends on the institution you choose. Typically, tuition costs range from $6,656 to $48,510 per year, with an average of $20,758. In addition to tuition, you’ll also need to budget for books and supplies, which can cost between $900 and $1,212 annually, with an average of $967.

The three most affordable undergraduate psychology schools in Washington are Eastern Washington University ($24,030), Central Washington University ($24,416), and Western Washington University ($25,503). Meanwhile, the three most expensive institutions are the Seattle University ($66,345), Gonzaga University ($65,751), and Pacific Lutheran University ($62,153).

As for prospective graduate psychology students, the average cost of tuition and fees for graduate programs varies widely based on the school and program chosen. Graduate tuition costs between $8,000 and $29,084 per year, with an average of $15,313. However, most graduate programs also require additional fees, such as application fees, technology fees, and library fees, which can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars. In-state graduate fees typically range from $100 to $2,029, with an average of $802.

The three most affordable graduate psychology schools in Washington are Heritage University ($9,872), Central Washington University ($12,127), and Western Washington University ($12,490). Meanwhile, the three most expensive graduate programs are Pacific Lutheran University ($29,684), Walla Walla University ($24,348), and Northwest University ($19,055).

If you’re curious about how Washington schools stack up against national averages, you can compare average total expenses in the table below. Note that these figures don’t take into account financial aid, grants, loans, or scholarships. If you’re interested in that information, you can find it in the sections below.

Average Expenses for Psychology SchoolsWashingtonU.S.
On Campus Room & Board$12,089$11,729
On-Campus Living Expenses$3,370$3,474
Total Living Expenses$15,459$15,203
Tuition for In-State, Undergraduate$20,758$21,301
Books and Supplies, Undergraduate$967$1,254
Total Undergraduate Expenses$37,184$37,758
In-State, Graduate Tuition$15,313$14,479
In-State, Graduate Fees$802$1,155
Total Graduate Expenses$16,115$15,634
US Department of Education

Cost to Attend, Financial Aid, Net Price in Washington

Average Net Price

In Washington, the cost to attend a college or university that offers psychology programs is a significant financial investment. The key term to know for college affordability is the net price.

The average net price for a college or university in Washington that offers psychology programs is $18,576. This figure is calculated based on the most recent data provided by each institution to the US Department of Education.

Net price is determined by adding up the costs of tuition, room and board, living expenses, books, and supplies and then subtracting the average financial aid, such as grants, scholarships, and loans, received by federal financial aid recipients.

FinancialWashingtonU.S.
Cost to Attend$37,184$37,758
Average Financial Aid$15,226$13,984
Percent Receiving Aid80%90%
Net Price$18,576$17,524
US Department of Education

Net Price by Family Income

Depending on the federal, state, or institutional grant aid available, the table below shows the average amount students pay to attend Washington universities shown by family income bracket.

Students may pay more or less depending on their individual circumstances; however, these are the average costs as tracked by the university and reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Average Net Price by Income2020-20212021-2022
$0 – $30,000$6,843$5,825
$30,001 – $48,000$7,673$6,598
$48,001 – $75,000$10,784$9,078
$75,001 – $110,000$15,764$13,525
$110,001 and more$19,266$17,244
US Department of Education

Additional Top Ranked Psychology Degree Programs in Washington

Find information on each school’s ranking, number of graduates, net price, and graduation rate along with a link the school’s full 2025 report.

RankSchool# of GraduatesNet PriceGraduation
#11Whitworth University62$27,43875%
#12University of Puget Sound53$28,22174%
#13Saint Martin’s University66$23,96461%
#14Seattle University143$36,67175%
#15Seattle Pacific University187$26,15366%
#16Central Washington University221$17,64554%
#17Heritage University60$7,97654%
#18Walla Walla University119$25,42163%
#19Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education39$22,86340%
US Department of Education

Psychology Salary Reports for Washington

We use annual surveys of 100,000 psychologists to compile data on salary, employment projections, cost-of-living adjustments, comparisons to related professions, salary based on years of experience, and rankings by city.