2026 College Rankings

Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Washington

About

College Raptor’s Hidden Gem rankings highlight under-the-radar colleges that may not be household names, but they're bringing serious academic heat. Hidden Gems are based on College Raptor’s overall national rankings and must meet the following criteria:

Receive fewer than 5,000 applications a year.
Have fewer than 7,000 undergraduate students enrolled.
Have an acceptance rate higher than 10%.
Have 5 or more unique majors.
Rank within the top half of College Raptor’s overall rankings.

For more information on methodology behind our college rankings, check out our ranking methodology breakdown.

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Rank	Institution	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Whitworth University	86.77	1,100 – 1,340	27491	49510	#1 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Washington Whitworth University Spokane, WA Whitworth University’s motto is “Education of Mind and Heart.” The most common majors and programs include Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General, and Elementary Education and Teaching. 77% of students return after completing their first year, and 75% will graduate within 6 years. Acceptance Rate 86.8% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $27,491 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,510
2	Pacific Lutheran University	78	1,070 – 1,290	23841	52212	#2 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Washington Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WA Pacific Lutheran University’s motto is “Education for Lives of Thoughtful Inquiry, Service, Leadership, and Care.” Many students study Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business Administration and Management, and General. The school opened in 1894, where tuition was $1 per week....Read more Acceptance Rate 78.0% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $23,841 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,212
3	DigiPen Institute of Technology	67.2	1,190 – 1,410	40015	58771	#3 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Washington DigiPen Institute of Technology Redmond, WA The DigiPen Institute of Technology has 7 areas of study available to students, with a focus on computer science, music, animation, and similar fields. A private for-profit university, it also has campuses in Singapore and Spain. The school's DigiPen Academy has a Youtube and adult education program dedicated to STEM fields. Acceptance Rate 67.2% SAT Score 1,190 – 1,410 Avg. Net Price $40,015 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $58,771
4	University of Washington-Tacoma Campus	82.52	970 – 1,220	11290	62979	#4 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Washington University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WA The University of Washington, Tacoma campus sits in the historic Union Station District, with views of Mount Rainier and the Port of Tacoma. The school offers up to Doctor's degrees and follows a quarter academic schedule....Read more Acceptance Rate 82.5% SAT Score 970 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $11,290 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $62,979
5	Seattle Pacific University	83.39	1,070 – 1,310	26155	51496	#5 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Washington Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WA The motto of Seattle Pacific University is “Engaging the Culture, Changing the World.” It’s a private institution, affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, offering 77 programs....Read more Acceptance Rate 83.4% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $26,155 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,496
6	Walla Walla University	60.4	1,050 – 1,270	26001	52840	#6 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Washington Walla Walla University College Place, WA Walla Walla University is fairly selective, and 30% of accepted students enroll. Students experience a 13 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, and 84% return to the school after completing their first year. Social Work, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse are popular programs. Acceptance Rate 60.4% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $26,001 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,840
7	Northwest University	80.97	1,020 – 1,320	25917	50495	#7 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Washington Northwest University Kirkland, WA Found in Kirkland, Northwest University accepted 81% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 99% of students attending Northwest University will receive grant aid from the school. At Northwest University, there is a 83% first year......Read more Acceptance Rate 81.0% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $25,917 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,495
8	Saint Martin's University	89.8	940 – 1,170	22779	57998	#8 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Washington Saint Martin's University Lacey, WA Located in Lacey, Saint Martin's University accepted 90% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. About 83% of students attending Saint Martin's University will receive institutional grant aid. 65% of students......Read more Acceptance Rate 89.8% SAT Score 940 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $22,779 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $57,998