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Washington · Getting in

Easiest colleges to get into in Washington

Updated Federal and Common Data Set numbers, each with its year

The short answer

The easiest four-year colleges to get into in Washington are Walla Walla University (open admission), City University of Seattle (open admission) and Heritage University (open admission), by the share of applicants admitted.

A high acceptance rate means the college admits most people who apply. Open-admission colleges admit anyone with a high school diploma or equivalent. Each row also shows the average price after grants, so you can weigh the two.

The list (10 of 21)

Four-year colleges in Washington with 500 or more undergraduates, open-admission colleges first, then the highest acceptance rate. The list shows 10 of the 21 colleges with an acceptance rate or open admission on file. Rates come from IPEDS (fall 2024).

  1. Walla Walla University Open admission College Place, WA · Admits every applicant with a high school diploma. Average price after grants: $27,786 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, 2024-25
  2. City University of Seattle Open admission Seattle, WA · Admits every applicant with a high school diploma Source: IPEDS, 2024-25
  3. Heritage University Open admission Toppenish, WA · Admits every applicant with a high school diploma. Average price after grants: $10,747 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, 2024-25
  4. The Evergreen State College 96% admitted Olympia, WA · Average price after grants: $25,154 a year in-state, about $48,542 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  5. Western Washington University 93% admitted Bellingham, WA · Average price after grants: $19,963 a year in-state, about $39,130 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  6. Eastern Washington University 91% admitted Cheney, WA · Average price after grants: $13,647 a year in-state, about $30,834 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  7. Central Washington University 91% admitted Ellensburg, WA · Average price after grants: $21,201 a year in-state, about $39,908 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  8. University of Washington-Bothell Campus 91% admitted Bothell, WA · Average price after grants: $13,802 a year in-state, about $45,036 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  9. Whitworth University 90% admitted Spokane, WA · Average price after grants: $23,009 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  10. Saint Martin's University 90% admitted Lacey, WA · Average price after grants: $25,472 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
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What are the easiest colleges to get into in Washington?

The easiest four-year colleges to get into in Washington are Walla Walla University (open admission), City University of Seattle (open admission) and Heritage University (open admission), by the share of applicants admitted.

How many of these colleges have open admission?

3 of the 10 colleges listed have open admission: they admit anyone with a high school diploma or equivalent. The others admitted 90% to 96% of applicants.

How recent are these acceptance rates?

Each row shows its year. Rates come from IPEDS, the federal college survey, for students who applied for fall 2024, or from the college's own Common Data Set for fall 2025 where that is newer.

Numbers change each year when colleges and the Department of Education publish new data. Confirm costs and admission rules with the college before you apply.

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