Every figure is for a student starting in fall 2027. We work each one out again whenever we update the site.

Paying for college in Washington

What the state and its colleges give families, who gets it, and how to apply. See every Washington college priced for your income

From the state

College Grant State Work Study State Opportunity Scholarship Passport to Careers American Indian Endowed Scholarship National Guard Grant

Across state lines

Western Undergraduate Exchange

From the colleges

Central Washington Eastern Washington Evergreen State Gonzaga Heritage Northwest Pacific Lutheran Saint Martin's Seattle Pacific Seattle University Puget Sound UW-Bothell UW-Seattle UW-Tacoma Walla Walla Washington State Western Washington Whitman Whitworth

Pay less for college

A SmartTuition plan shows what to pay from where, each semester.

In our Washington scenarios, with good parent credit, a SmartTuition plan saves a median of about $6,500 over four years. How we worked this out ↓

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Already have a list? Put your schools side by side →

From the state

The College Grant and Washington's other programs. Most come through the FAFSA or the state's own aid application; a few have their own.

How the grant shrinks as your income climbs

One family of four at UW-Seattle as its income rises, with the state grant alone. The state's 2026-27 income limits, with the grants carried forward to fall 2027.

Household income$88,000

Families earning $83,501 to $90,500 get 60% of the full grant. This step adds $31,393 to the family's four-year cost.

Near a line? Ask the Washington Student Achievement Council which step you are on.

Income	Share	Grant a year	Median four-year cost
$80,000	100%	$13,599	$86,650
$88,000	60%	$8,160	$118,043
$95,000	50%	$6,800	$127,699
$102,000	24.5%	$3,332	$152,105
$120,000	10%	$1,360	$166,413
$150,000	0%	$0	$176,320

From the full grant to none, this family's four-year cost goes up by $89,670, in five steps. The biggest step is $31,393, where the full grant drops to 60 percent. The step from 50 percent to 24.5 percent is the second biggest, $24,406.

This table counts the state grant alone, the one the law guarantees. A college's own aid comes on top, is not promised and varies by family. The finder shows what families at your income paid on average, after every grant.

What the grant does not pay

The grant pays only toward tuition and fees. At UW-Seattle in 2026-27, the full grant is $13,203 and tuition and fees are $13,873. Your family pays for housing, food and books at every step.

Source: Revised Code of Washington § 28B.92.030

“is tuition and estimated fees for 15 quarter credit hours or the equivalent, as determined by the office, including operating fees, building fees, and services and activities fees”

— Revised Code of Washington § 28B.92.030, checked 2026-08

Source: Washington Student Achievement Council

“For example, in 2026-27, if your family of four makes: $83,500 or less, your college or career training could be free! Up to $139,500, you could get some money for college or training.”

— Washington Student Achievement Council, checked 2026-08 · figures stated for 2026-27

Washington's College Bound Scholarship

If your student had free or reduced-price lunch in 7th or 8th grade at a Washington public school, they are already enrolled in College Bound. Students who first qualified in 9th grade are enrolled too. It happens automatically, with nothing to sign.

At a Washington public college, it pays the tuition and required fees that state grants leave, plus $500 a year for books.

At or below 60% of the state median income (about $83,500 for a family of four), the Washington College Grant already pays full tuition and fees, so College Bound adds the $500. Between 61% and 65%, the grant pays 60% of tuition and fees, and College Bound pays the rest.

To collect it, the student needs Washington residency, at least a C average for a four-year college, and no felony convictions. The family's income must be no higher than 65% of the state median when the student graduates from high school. File the FAFSA or Washington's WASFA in senior year and every year after.

At a private Washington college, the award is cut in half from fall 2027, to half the average award at the state's public research universities.

We don't include it in the prices, because we can't tell whether your student is enrolled.

State Work Study

A job on or off campus for students from low- and middle-income families. Students generally earn between $2,000 and $5,000 a year. There is no separate application: the FAFSA, or the state's own aid application, is enough.

Source: Washington Student Achievement Council

“State Work Study is financial aid for low- and middle-income students. Qualifying students get an approved job, on- or off-campus, to support their education.”

“While awards vary, students generally earn between $2,000 and $5,000 per year.”

“There is no separate application for State Work Study. Students will automatically be considered for State Work Study after filing a federal (FAFSA) or state (WASFA) financial aid application”

— Washington Student Achievement Council, checked 2026-09

Washington State Opportunity Scholarship

For Washington students earning a bachelor's degree in a STEM or health care major. Family income can be no more than 125% of the state's median, and the student needs a GPA of at least 2.75. It can pay for housing, food and transportation as well as tuition. It has its own application.

Source: Washington State Opportunity Scholarship

“This program provides scholarship dollars and access to career-launching support services for STEM and health care majors. WSOS can cover costs beyond tuition, such as housing, transportation, food, and more.”

“Do you want to get a bachelor’s degree in a field like computer science, nursing, engineering, or another STEM or health care field?”

“Have a family income that does not exceed 125% of Washington state median family income.”

“you must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale)”

“You must be a Washington resident.”

“Complete the scholarship application.”

— Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, checked 2026-09

Passport to Careers

For students who have been in foster care, or were homeless without a parent or guardian. It gives money for college and for living costs while the student is enrolled.

Source: Washington Student Achievement Council

“Have you been in foster care? Or were you homeless without a parent or guardian?”

“Provide money to pay for college or training to help you get that job.”

“Provide money for living expenses while you are in college or job training.”

— Washington Student Achievement Council, checked 2026-09

American Indian Endowed Scholarship

For students with financial need who have close social and cultural ties to an American Indian community in Washington. Awards run from around $500 to $3,000, and students apply again each year.

Source: Washington Student Achievement Council

“The American Indian Endowed Scholarship (AIES) helps students with financial need who have close social and cultural ties to an American Indian community in Washington State.”

“Award amounts range from around $500 to $3,000.”

“Students may get AIES funding for up to five years, but must reapply each year.”

— Washington Student Achievement Council, checked 2026-09

National Guard Grant

For members of the Washington National Guard, and their spouses and dependents. In 2026-27 the base award is up to $6,500 at a public research university or a private college, and up to $4,500 at a regional public university. The member serves one year in the Guard for each year of the grant.

Source: Washington Student Achievement Council

“The National Guard Grant assists members and their eligible dependents with funding for undergraduate, graduate, professional, and certificate study programs at approved institutions and programs within Washington State.”

“Minimum Dependent/Spouse Qualifications”

“2026-27 NGG Awards”

“Maximum NGG base award values”

“Four-year regional public institutions $4,500”

“Four-year private non-profit and for-profit institutions $6,500”

“Four-year public research institutions $6,500”

“Serve one year in the National Guard for each year of Washington National Guard Grant funding received.”

— Washington Student Achievement Council, checked 2026-09

Washington also has grants for community and technical college students and apprentices, and programs for future teachers. See the Student Achievement Council's list.

From the colleges

What each college gives for grades, what it promises on aid, and its full price.

College	Merit scholarships	Promise on aid	Full price a year
Central Washington University public	In state: $2,000 a year for two years, from a 3.0 GPA* From Idaho or Oregon: $18,600 a year, from a 3.0 GPA* From other states: $15,000 a year, from a 3.0 GPA* From other western states: $15,000 to $15,467 a year, from a 3.0 GPA*	—	$28,110
Eastern Washington University public	In state: $1,000 to $3,000, automatic, renewable for four years; the GPA levels are not published From the Western Undergraduate Exchange states: $13,428 a year*	—	$27,365
Evergreen State College public	In state: $900 to $1,200 a year, from a 3.0 GPA; Evergreen says "renewable for 1 year" Out of state, except the Western Undergraduate Exchange states: $8,500 to $13,500 a year, from a 3.0 GPA* From the Western Undergraduate Exchange states: $17,555 a year, from a 3.0 GPA*	—	$29,643
Gonzaga University private	$23,500 to $32,000 a year, set on the whole application; 98% of applicants get one	Gonzaga Access Pledge	$80,972
Heritage University private	Scholarships here are by application. The Moccasin Lake Foundation Scholarship pays full tuition and $7,500 for college expenses for four years. The Soar Scholarship pays full tuition, lab fees and $500 for books for up to five years.	—	$42,382
Northwest University private	$10,000 to $18,000 a year, from a 3.0 GPA*	—	$51,405
Pacific Lutheran University private	$10,000 to $33,000 a year, mostly by GPA; no table published	—	$74,529
Saint Martin's University private	$13,000 to $30,000 a year (not guaranteed)*	—	$69,436
Seattle Pacific University private	$20,100 to $30,400 a year in 2026-27; every admitted student gets one	Falcon Bound Commitment	$67,468
Seattle University private	At least $8,000 a year	College Bound students (worth asking about)	$82,137
University of Puget Sound private	Up to $45,000 a year, set on the whole application	Sound Scholars Program (worth asking about)	$90,711
UW-Bothell public	By invitation; no amounts published	—	$33,884
UW-Seattle public	In state: $10,000 a year, to selected students; renewable for up to four years Out of state: amounts vary by student, for four years, Seattle campus only	—	$34,640
UW-Tacoma public	Considered automatically; no amounts published	—	$33,509
Walla Walla University private	$9,000 to $15,000 a year, from a 3.0 GPA, or by SAT or ACT score*	—	$50,523
Washington State University public	In state: $500 to $4,000 a year for two years* Out of state: $5,000 to $15,000 a year, from a 2.0 GPA*	—	$33,479
Western Washington University public	In state: $1,000 to $4,000, for one or two years, highly competitive From the Western Undergraduate Exchange states: about $14,910 a year, from a 3.25 GPA (not guaranteed)* Out of state: $10,000 to $14,000 a year, highly competitive	—	$29,226
Whitman College private	Up to $35,000, considered automatically; the same award for four years	Says it covers 100% of what a family cannot pay	$90,283
Whitworth University private	$2,000 to $10,000 a year, from a 3.0 GPA*	—	$45,501

* The finder and our college comparison show this scholarship when you enter your student's GPA.

Each college's page has a promise's conditions, in the college's own words. “Worth asking about” marks a program the college describes in words that stop short of a promise.

Full price: tuition and fees, housing and food, and books; in state at a public university. What your family would pay after grants depends on your income: the finder shows it.

10 more Washington colleges have no page here. For 5 of them, the federal data has no cost or no price by income. The rest mainly teach graduate students or run online programs. Show them

City University of Seattle
Bastyr University
Antioch University-Seattle
Whitworth University-Adult Degree Programs
Faith International University
Great Northern University
Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine
The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology

Across state lines

The Western Undergraduate Exchange, run by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

Coming to Washington from another western state

Students from the other western states pay no more than 150% of resident tuition at the public colleges that take part. Each college sets its own rules: a minimum GPA, majors it leaves out, early deadlines, or a limit on how many students get the rate.

In Washington, Central, Eastern, Evergreen, Washington State and Western take part, and the table shows what each gives. Washington State's two largest awards for students from other states are named for the exchange, and its Everett, Tri-Cities and Vancouver campuses take part too. The University of Washington is not on the list. Lake Washington Institute of Technology is: it is a technical college, and this page covers four-year colleges.

Going from Washington to another western state

A Washington student can use it the other way, at public colleges in the other western states. The group that runs the exchange has a savings finder that lists each college and what the exchange saves there.

Source: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)

“pay no more than 150% of the institution’s resident tuition rate”

“Residents of the following states and territories are eligible to apply for WUE: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai’i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, as well as American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam.”

“Each school administers WUE differently: Institutions may require a minimum GPA, exclude selected majors, have early application deadlines, and/or limit the number of students awarded the WUE rate.”

— Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), checked 2026-09 · its list of colleges

Paying the rest

Your SmartTuition plan uses your savings, your 529, your loans and your award letter.

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How we worked these out

The Washington College Grant

Every student who qualifies gets it, because state law says so. It gets smaller in steps as income rises. The table is the state's own for 2026-27, for a family of four.

Source: Revised Code of Washington § 28B.92.200

“All eligible students are entitled to a Washington college grant beginning in academic year 2020-21.”

— Revised Code of Washington § 28B.92.200, checked 2026-08

Source: Revised Code of Washington § 28B.92.205

“shall be prorated at the following percentages of the maximum Washington college grant amount: (1) 60 percent for students with family incomes between 61 and 65 percent of the state median family income; (2) 50 percent for students with family incomes between 66 and 70 percent of the state median family income; (3) 24.5 percent for students with family incomes between 71 and 75 percent of the state median family income; and (4) 10 percent for students with family incomes between 76 and 100 percent of the state median family income.”

— Revised Code of Washington § 28B.92.205, checked 2026-08

What a SmartTuition plan saves

The $6,500 in the “Pay less for college” box near the top of this page is the median saving over our Washington scenarios. Each scenario is a household in Washington at one of its colleges. Its income is one of 8 from $45,000 to $200,000, and its savings are none, $40,000 or $100,000 in a 529. We price each college at the aid it reports for the income.

Every scenario has parents with good credit and $500 a month toward college. A saving is the difference, over four years, between a SmartTuition plan and the standard approach: savings first, then loans for the rest. It counts loan interest and the federal tax credit. Credit matters: parents with fair credit borrow at a higher rate, which changes the saving.

A scenario where the parents would borrow more than $65,000 is left out, as is one at a college that reports no aid for the income. The figure is for a household that lives in Washington.

Costs: each college's own published price where it has one, otherwise the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, carried forward to fall 2027. Grants: the Washington Student Achievement Council and state law. Scholarships: each college's own page, read by us and checked against it. SmartTuition.ai worked out what the family in the steps table would pay. SmartTuition.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any institution named here.