Washington Colleges with the Lowest Acceptance Rate

The average acceptance rate of the 17 Washington colleges that have competitive admission is 80.18% for the academic year 2024-2025. Compared to last year, the acceptance rate is lower by 0.63%. The acceptance rate at 7 Washington colleges increased and the rate of 10 colleges decreased.

Whitman College has the lowest (i.e. hard to admit) acceptance rate of 38.15%. University of Washington-Seattle Campus (39.15%) and University of Puget Sound (72.25%) are following it in the list of Tightest Washington Colleges to Get In.

This ranking is only based on acceptance rates and more admission stats such as SAT and ACT scores are helpful to measure the chances to get in more accurately.

Whitman College ranked 1st, up 1 place from 2nd last year. University of Washington-Seattle Campus ranked second, a drop from first place last year.

The average undergraduate tuition & fees of the schools is $48,307 and graduate tuition & fees is $28,410 for the academic year 2024-2025.

We note that the actual tightness of admission lies in considering other admission requirements such as SAT score.

Comparison between Tightest Washington Colleges To Get In

Table. Tightest Washington Colleges To Get In Comparison
School NameAcceptance RateYieldSAT ScoreUndergraduate Tuition & FeesTotal PopulationGraduation RateStudents to Faculty Ratio
1
1		Whitman College Walla Walla, WAPrivate, 4-year 38.15%
11.84%		14.12%1,410$64,0501,56181.00%10 to 1
2
1		University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublic, 4-year 39.15%
3.38%		26.58%-$43,209
($12,973)		56,99785.00%20 to 1
3
3		University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WAPrivate, 4-year 72.25%
4.03%		11.36%1,280$62,8981,86468.00%10 to 1
4
1		Seattle University Seattle, WAPrivate, 4-year 76.92%
0.87%		13.63%1,310$56,7217,18976.00%10 to 1
5
2		Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WAPrivate, 4-year 78.02%
2.51%		14.12%1,160$50,9162,79769.00%12 to 1
6
2		Gonzaga University Spokane, WAPrivate, 4-year 81.69%
5.73%		17.48%1,290$55,4807,47086.00%12 to 1
7
1		University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WAPublic, 4-year 82.52%
0.43%		21.48%-$43,404
($13,168)		4,96563.00%15 to 1
8
3		Northwest University Kirkland, WAPrivate, 4-year 83.20%
4.85%		30.77%1,150$36,0351,05371.00%9 to 1
9
4		Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WAPrivate, 4-year 83.40%
7.69%		15.75%-$40,4072,26162.00%13 to 1
10
1		Washington State University Pullman, WAPublic, 4-year 86.64%
1.28%		19.72%-$29,950
($13,391)		25,68560.00%15 to 1
Average72.19%18.50%1,267$48,307
($13,177)		11,18472.10%13 to 1