Online Colleges in Washington

Washington state's public education offerings have gained considerable prominence in the last decade, and with that rise, the state's online education offering have flourished. Major state schools like the University of Washington and Washington State University have emerged as leaders in the online space, offering a host of programs that encompass all levels of postsecondary education. Outside of the realm of public education, virtually all private schools in the state now offer either fully online degree options or some amount of online coursework for students to pursue. The state has also succeeded in making web-based K12 programs a legitimate option for students in need of supplemental coursework, whether that be to finish out a grade or to accelerate towards graduation and college enrollment.

But with acclaim comes rising costs. At four-year public institutions alone, Washington schools, over the last five years, have seen a 17% spike in out-of-state tuition and fees and a whopping 34% rise in in-state tuition and fees. At said schools, on average, out-of-state tuition for the 2014-15 school year sits at $26,855 and at $10,846 for in-state. It should come as no surprise then, that the state government's commitment to public institutions has also grown. In 2013-14, the state increased annual spending per student to 15.5%, which works out to $872 more spent per enrolled, postsecondary student. All projections indicate tuition will continue to climb for years to come, and it's safe to assume that as the trend continues, so too will state spending on education.

Learn more about higher education in Washington and the progress and trajectory of the state's online programs by exploring the remainder of the content on this page, including the state facts tab and our extensive database of online curriculums.