Washington Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Washington College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Washington institutions.
Top Washington Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Washington (Seattle) | Public 4-yr | $12,643 | $41,997 | 36,400 |
| Washington State University | Public 4-yr | $12,481 | $28,755 | 25,100 |
| Western Washington University | Public 4-yr | $9,015 | $26,790 | 15,100 |
| Central Washington University | Public 4-yr | $9,210 | $24,411 | 10,600 |
| Eastern Washington University | Public 4-yr | $9,158 | $27,302 | 10,800 |
| Evergreen State College | Public 4-yr | $8,680 | $28,860 | 2,500 |
| Seattle Pacific University | Private | $50,160 | $50,160 | 2,800 |
| Gonzaga University | Private | $52,570 | $52,570 | 5,200 |
| Seattle Central College | Community | $4,300 | $10,600 | 7,500 |
Washington State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC).
Washington College Grant (WCG)
One of the most generous state grants in the U.S. Covers tuition and fees at WA public institutions for families earning up to ~$100k.
College Bound Scholarship
For WA low-income students who sign pledge in 7th/8th grade. Combined with WCG, covers tuition at WA public schools.
Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS)
Scholarship for WA STEM and healthcare students with middle-income families.
Passport to Careers
Grants and support for WA residents who were in foster care or experienced homelessness.
Washington Educator Workforce Grant
Conditional scholarship for WA residents pursuing teaching careers in high-demand areas.
Student Loan Options for Washington Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Washington have a state student loan program?
No. Washington does not run a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do — including MEFA (Massachusetts), RISLA (Rhode Island), Minnesota SELF, the Bank of North Dakota DEAL Student Loan, VSAC (Vermont), CHESLA (Connecticut), NJCLASS (New Jersey), ISL Education Lending (Iowa), NHHEAF/Granite State (New Hampshire), FAME (Maine), and Kentucky's Advantage Education Loan. These programs often price below major private banks. Washington residents should lean on federal loans first, then compare private lenders directly.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Washington state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
One form, prequalified offers from multiple private lenders. Shop rates without multiple hard credit pulls.
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Get A Quote At College Ave →Sallie Mae
Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Washington students and families.
How much does college cost in Washington?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Washington public four-year universities is about $11,900 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $26,800 on campus for Washington residents and $40,200 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Washington?
Washington borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $34,100. Total outstanding federal student debt for Washington residents is approximately $28.1 billion.
Does Washington offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. The flagship is the Washington College Grant (WCG), covering up to full public tuition/fees for families earning up to ~$100k — among the most generous state programs in the country. Also: College Bound Scholarship, WSOS, Passport to Careers, and Washington Educator Workforce Grant.
Does Washington have a state student loan program?
No. Washington does not operate a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do, including Massachusetts (MEFA), Rhode Island (RISLA), Minnesota (SELF), North Dakota (DEAL), and Kentucky (Advantage Education Loan). Washington residents should start with federal student loans through the FAFSA and compare private lenders for any remaining gap financing.
Which Washington colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
WA community and technical colleges average $4,300 per year. Evergreen State is the lowest four-year public at $8,680, followed by Western WA. UW Seattle is the highest public in-state at $12,643.
What scholarships are available for Washington residents?
Key awards include Washington College Grant, College Bound, WSOS, Passport to Careers, and the Washington Educator Workforce Grant. Gonzaga and Seattle Pacific offer substantial institutional aid.
Related Washington Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Washington public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- WSAC program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Colin Graves Reviewed by: Chris Muller