Whitman Nabs State’s Top University/College Ranking

In a battle fought in the classroom and not on a field or court, a new study ranks Whitman College No. 1 in the state.

Personal finance website WalletHub compared more than 800 higher-ed institutions across the U.S. in more than 30 categories (including post-graduate salaries) for its College & University Rankings (2025). Whitman, in Walla Walla, ranked No. 1 in Washington state for its student-faculty ratio, No. 2 for admissions, and No. 3 for its graduation rate.

Tuition at the private, small liberal arts college is more than $58,000 per year.

The University of Washington’s main campus in Seattle placed second. Gonzaga University in Spokane was No. 3, followed by Seattle U. and Pacific Lutheran University.

Princeton ranked No. 1 overall for universities. Swarthmore College In Pennsylvania took the top spot for colleges. Whitman ranked No. 100 overall for both colleges and universities. The University of Washington ranked No. 109.

UW tied for No. 7 in the world in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-24 rankings released in June.