State of Washington University System Overview

Although there's no single university system in the state of Washington, there are six public 4-year universities. The University of Washington and Washington State University are the largest schools, offering baccalaureate through professional degree programs at several campuses across the state. Students can also earn undergraduate and graduate degrees at one of the four other public universities in Washington.

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What Schools are in the State of Washington University System?

The state of Washington is home to six public 4-year colleges and universities; however, there is not an official Washington State university system. The two largest public universities in this state, the University of Washington and Washington State University, offer degree programs at seven different locations that include both urban and rural settings.

University of Washington

The University of Washington (UW) is one of the oldest public universities on the West Coast. As Washington State's flagship university, UW enrolls more than 92,000 students per year. Degrees are offered at the bachelor's, master's, doctoral and professional levels through many different colleges, including its renowned schools of medicine and law. The university also offers professional and continuing education programs oriented toward working professionals who are seeking to complete an undergraduate degree or earn an advanced certificate or master's degree. The main campus is in the University District near the heart of downtown Seattle. UW also has campuses in Tacoma and Bothell and offers continuing education courses at locations throughout the state.

Contact Information

Address: 1400 N.E. Campus Pkwy., Seattle, WA 98195
Phone Number: (206) 543-2100

Washington State University

Washington State University (WSU) is consistently ranked among the top 60 public universities in the country by U.S. News & World Report; it was ranked 52nd in 2011. The Carnegie Foundation also classifies WSU as one of 96 public and private American universities with exceptionally high research activity. WSU enrolls more than 25,000 students statewide in over 200 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. The Honors College is consistently ranked as one of the top programs of its kind in the country, and the College of Veterinary Medicine offers one of the most well-equipped teaching veterinary hospitals in the world. WSU's main campus is in Pullman, and it also offers satellite campuses in Spokane, Vancouver and the Tri-Cities area in southeastern Washington.

Contact Information

Address: French Administration Building, Pullman, WA 99164
Phone Number: (509) 335-2564

Other Public Universities in the State of Washington

In addition to UW and WSU, there are four public comprehensive universities and colleges in the state of Washington. Each institution offers a variety of certificates and degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

School Name	Student Population	Institution Type
Western Washington University	14,575	4-year, Public
Central Washington University	11,357	4-year, Public
Eastern Washington University	11,300	4-year, Public
The Evergreen State College	4,891	4-year, Public