The Best Business Schools in Seattle for 2026
The best business schools in Seattle are the accredited schools that graduate their students and charge honestly for it, not the ones with the biggest name on the building. Hakia analyzed 92 accredited business programs in Seattle and the surrounding metro and ranked 18 schools on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes. Tuition across the 18 ranked schools runs from $3,291 to $62,310 a year, a $59,019 spread for the same credential.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus leads with a 98.3 Hakia Score on an 85% graduation rate, at $11,869 a year. Across all 18 ranked business schools in Seattle the average graduation rate is 52%, ranging from 25% to 85%. 10 of the 18 are public and 8 are private, a split that drives most of the price gap below.
Below is the full ranked table, followed by a school-by-school look at what actually separates the business schools in Seattle: cost, completion, selectivity, and where the degree leads. This list covers the Seattle and Tacoma metro, so some schools sit outside the city line; the city of each is shown in the table. Every figure is drawn from federal IPEDS and BLS data, and no school pays for placement.
Key Takeaways on the Best Business Schools in Seattle
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus ranks first among business schools in Seattle with a 98.3 Hakia Score and an 85% graduation rate.
- Tuition across the 18 ranked business schools in Seattle spans $3,291 to $62,310 a year, a $59,019 gap for the same credential.
- The 18 ranked business schools in Seattle graduate 52% of students on average, from 25% to 85%.
- 10 of the 18 ranked schools are public, where the in-state rate is what Washington residents actually pay.
- 3 of the 18 offer a confirmed online option, which matters in a city where commuting time is the real cost.
Hakia analyzed 92 accredited business programs in Seattle and the surrounding metro reported to IPEDS, scoring each on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes, then ranked one entry per school on its strongest program. No school is rewarded for sticker price alone, and none pays for inclusion.
The 18 Best Business Schools in Seattle, Ranked for 2026
| # | Program | Type | In-state tuition | Grad rate | Admit rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle, WA | Public | $11,869 | 85% | 39% | 98.3 |
| 2 | City University of SeattleSeattle, WA · online option | Nonprofit | $13,929 | NR | NR | 89.2 |
| 3 | Seattle UniversitySeattle, WA | Nonprofit | $55,620 | 76% | 77% | 86.7 |
| 4 | University of Puget SoundTacoma, WA | Nonprofit | $62,310 | 68% | 72% | 84.4 |
| 5 | Bellevue CollegeBellevue, WA | Public | $4,205 | 36% | NR | 84.3 |
| 6 | University of Washington-Bothell CampusBothell, WA | Public | $11,869 | 65% | 91% | 83.4 |
| 7 | University of Washington-Tacoma CampusTacoma, WA | Public | $11,869 | 63% | 83% | 82.6 |
| 8 | Seattle Pacific UniversitySeattle, WA | Nonprofit | $39,492 | 62% | 83% | 81.5 |
| 9 | Pacific Lutheran UniversityTacoma, WA | Nonprofit | $50,096 | 69% | 78% | 81.3 |
| 10 | Northwest UniversityKirkland, WA | Nonprofit | $35,535 | 71% | 83% | 79.9 |
| 11 | Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended EducationKirkland, WA · online option | Nonprofit | $14,652 | 50% | NR | 76.8 |
| 12 | Tacoma Community CollegeTacoma, WA | Public | $4,772 | 32% | NR | 69.2 |
| 13 | Green River CollegeAuburn, WA | Public | $4,205 | 39% | NR | 68.6 |
| 14 | North Seattle CollegeSeattle, WA | Public | $4,488 | 33% | NR | 63.2 |
| 15 | Clover Park Technical CollegeLakewood, WA | Public | $5,740 | 43% | NR | 62.9 |
| 16 | Pierce College DistrictLakewood, WA | Public | $4,775 | 31% | NR | 61.9 |
| 17 | Lake Washington Institute of TechnologyKirkland, WA | Public | $3,291 | 37% | NR | 60.3 |
| 18 | Faith International UniversityTacoma, WA · online option | Nonprofit | $8,100 | 25% | NR | 59.2 |
NR — not reported by the institution in the latest IPEDS collection.
How the Top Business Schools in Seattle Compare
Each program scores 0 to 100 on the Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. Longer bars rank higher.
The Top Business Schools in Seattle, School by School
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA · Public
- Grad rate
- 85%
- Admit rate
- 39%
- In-state
- $11,869
- Out-of-state
- $42,105
Washington-Seattle graduates 85% of its students, above the 52% average across this ranking, on a 98.3 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 98.3, #1 of 18
- 85% graduation rate
- $11,869 in-state vs $42,105 out-of-state
- Most selective program here
Washington-Seattle is a public institution in Seattle, WA. Its Business program ranks #1 of the 18 analyzed here with a 98.3 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That is the highest score in the ranking, well above the 76.3 group average. The program graduates 85% of its students, above the 52% average across the ranked schools. Washington-Seattle admits 39% of applicants, more selective than the 76% average for the group. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 25% to 85%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 56,997 students.
On cost, Washington-Seattle charges $11,869 a year in-state, roughly 4x the $42,105 out-of-state rate. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,291 at Lake Washington Institute of Technology to $62,310 at Puget Sound. The spread makes the program a clearer value for WA residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
City University of Seattle
Seattle, WA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- NR
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $13,929
- Out-of-state
- $13,929
City University of Seattle ranks #2 of the 18 business programs in this analysis, with an 89.2 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 89.2, #2 of 18
- $13,929 tuition
- Online option available
Based in Seattle, WA, City University of Seattle is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #2 of the 18 ranked here, earning an 89.2 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 76.3 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 2,007 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, City University of Seattle charges $13,929 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,291 at Lake Washington Institute of Technology to $62,310 at Puget Sound. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its an online option.
Seattle University
Seattle, WA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 76%
- Admit rate
- 77%
- In-state
- $55,620
- Out-of-state
- $55,620
Seattle U graduates 76% of its students, above the 52% average across this ranking, on an 86.7 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 86.7, #3 of 18
- 76% graduation rate
- $55,620 tuition
- Admits just 77% of applicants
Seattle U is a private, nonprofit institution in Seattle, WA. Its Business program ranks #3 of the 18 analyzed here with an 86.7 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 76.3 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 76% of its students, above the 52% average across the ranked schools. Seattle U admits 77% of applicants, less selective than the 76% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Washington-Seattle, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 25% to 85%. The university enrolls 7,189 students overall.
On cost, Seattle U charges $55,620 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,291 at Lake Washington Institute of Technology to $62,310 at Puget Sound. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, WA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 68%
- Admit rate
- 72%
- In-state
- $62,310
- Out-of-state
- $62,310
Puget Sound graduates 68% of its students, above the 52% average across this ranking, on an 84.4 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 84.4, #4 of 18
- 68% graduation rate
- $62,310 tuition
- Admits just 72% of applicants
Based in Tacoma, WA, Puget Sound is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #4 of the 18 ranked here, earning an 84.4 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 76.3 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 68% of its students, above the 52% average across the ranked schools. Puget Sound admits 72% of applicants, more selective than the 76% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Washington-Seattle, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 25% to 85%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 1,864 students.
On cost, Puget Sound charges $62,310 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,291 at Lake Washington Institute of Technology to $62,310 at Puget Sound. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA · Public
- Grad rate
- 36%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $4,205
- Out-of-state
- $10,271
At $4,205 a year in-state, Bellevue College is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding an 84.3 Hakia Score on a 36% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 84.3, #5 of 18
- 36% graduation rate
- $4,205 in-state vs $10,271 out-of-state
- 12,485 students enrolled
Bellevue College is a public institution in Bellevue, WA. Its Business program ranks #5 of the 18 analyzed here with an 84.3 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 76.3 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 36% of its students, below the 52% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 25% to 85%. The university enrolls 12,485 students overall.
On cost, Bellevue College charges $4,205 a year in-state, roughly 2.4x the $10,271 out-of-state rate. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,291 at Lake Washington Institute of Technology to $62,310 at Puget Sound. The spread makes the program a clearer value for WA residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.
University of Washington-Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA · Public
- Grad rate
- 65%
- Admit rate
- 91%
- In-state
- $11,869
- Out-of-state
- $42,105
Washington-Bothell graduates 65% of its students, above the 52% average across this ranking, on an 83.4 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 83.4, #6 of 18
- 65% graduation rate
- $11,869 in-state vs $42,105 out-of-state
- Admits just 91% of applicants
Washington-Bothell is a public institution in Bothell, WA. Its Business program ranks #6 of the 18 analyzed here with an 83.4 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 76.3 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 65% of its students, above the 52% average across the ranked schools. Washington-Bothell admits 91% of applicants, less selective than the 76% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Washington-Seattle, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 25% to 85%. The university enrolls 6,058 students overall.
On cost, Washington-Bothell charges $11,869 a year in-state, roughly 4x the $42,105 out-of-state rate. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,291 at Lake Washington Institute of Technology to $62,310 at Puget Sound. The spread makes the program a clearer value for WA residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA · Public
- Grad rate
- 63%
- Admit rate
- 83%
- In-state
- $11,869
- Out-of-state
- $42,105
Washington-Tacoma graduates 63% of its students, above the 52% average across this ranking, on an 82.6 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 82.6, #7 of 18
- 63% graduation rate
- $11,869 in-state vs $42,105 out-of-state
- Admits just 83% of applicants
Based in Tacoma, WA, Washington-Tacoma is a public institution. Its Business program lands at #7 of the 18 ranked here, earning an 82.6 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 76.3 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 63% of its students, above the 52% average across the ranked schools. Washington-Tacoma admits 83% of applicants, less selective than the 76% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Washington-Seattle, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 25% to 85%. The university enrolls 4,965 students overall.
On cost, Washington-Tacoma charges $11,869 a year in-state, roughly 4x the $42,105 out-of-state rate. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,291 at Lake Washington Institute of Technology to $62,310 at Puget Sound. The spread makes the program a clearer value for WA residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 62%
- Admit rate
- 83%
- In-state
- $39,492
- Out-of-state
- $39,492
Seattle Pacific graduates 62% of its students, above the 52% average across this ranking, on an 81.5 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 81.5, #8 of 18
- 62% graduation rate
- $39,492 tuition
- Admits just 83% of applicants
Seattle Pacific is a private, nonprofit institution in Seattle, WA. Its Business program ranks #8 of the 18 analyzed here with an 81.5 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 76.3 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 62% of its students, above the 52% average across the ranked schools. Seattle Pacific admits 83% of applicants, less selective than the 76% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Washington-Seattle, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 25% to 85%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 2,261 students.
On cost, Seattle Pacific charges $39,492 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,291 at Lake Washington Institute of Technology to $62,310 at Puget Sound. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 69%
- Admit rate
- 78%
- In-state
- $50,096
- Out-of-state
- $50,096
Pacific Lutheran graduates 69% of its students, above the 52% average across this ranking, on an 81.3 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 81.3, #9 of 18
- 69% graduation rate
- $50,096 tuition
- Admits just 78% of applicants
Based in Tacoma, WA, Pacific Lutheran is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #9 of the 18 ranked here, earning an 81.3 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 76.3 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 69% of its students, above the 52% average across the ranked schools. Pacific Lutheran admits 78% of applicants, less selective than the 76% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Washington-Seattle, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 25% to 85%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 2,797 students.
On cost, Pacific Lutheran charges $50,096 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,291 at Lake Washington Institute of Technology to $62,310 at Puget Sound. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
Northwest University
Kirkland, WA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 71%
- Admit rate
- 83%
- In-state
- $35,535
- Out-of-state
- $35,535
Northwest graduates 71% of its students, above the 52% average across this ranking, on a 79.9 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 79.9, #10 of 18
- 71% graduation rate
- $35,535 tuition
- Admits just 83% of applicants
Based in Kirkland, WA, Northwest is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #10 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 79.9 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 76.3 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 71% of its students, above the 52% average across the ranked schools. Northwest admits 83% of applicants, less selective than the 76% average for the group. That is more open than the 39% rate at Washington-Seattle, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 25% to 85%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 1,053 students.
On cost, Northwest charges $35,535 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,291 at Lake Washington Institute of Technology to $62,310 at Puget Sound. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
What Business Schools in Seattle Cost
Tuition across the 18 ranked schools runs from $3,291 to $62,310 a year. Lake Washington Institute of Technology in Kirkland anchors the low end at $3,291 a year, while University of Puget Sound in Tacoma sits at the top at $62,310. The cheapest public option among the business schools in Seattle is Lake Washington Institute of Technology in Kirkland at $3,291; the cheapest private is Faith International University in Tacoma at $8,100.
Over the four years the credential takes, that is roughly $13,164 in tuition at Lake Washington Institute of Technology against about $249,240 at University of Puget Sound. Public figures here are the in-state resident rate, so an applicant moving to Seattle from another state should read the out-of-state column before treating the cheap end of this list as cheap.
Which Business Major to Choose in Seattle
Business school covers a dozen different degrees, and the business schools in Seattle do not all offer the same ones. Across the 92 accredited programs analyzed here, the fields with the deepest coverage in Seattle are business administration (12 schools), accounting (8 schools), marketing (6 schools), healthcare administration (4 schools), human resources (4 schools). A school ranked highly overall is not automatically strong in the major you want, so check the field before the name.
Accounting is the one track bound to a license: CPA eligibility in most states requires 150 credit hours against the 120 a bachelor's confers, which changes the course plan from the first year rather than the last. 8 of the schools analyzed in Seattle run one.
Public and Private Business Schools in Seattle
10 of the 18 ranked business schools in Seattle are public and 8 are private, and that split drives most of the $59,019 tuition spread above. The public rate is a residency benefit: Lake Washington Institute of Technology in Kirkland charges $3,291 in-state and $8,804 out of state, so where a student already lives changes this ranking more than any other single factor.
Private schools discount heavily off the published number, which is why sticker price alone is a poor comparison. Completion is the better lens: the 18 ranked schools average 52%, from 25% to 85%, and a cheap degree that does not finish is not a saving. Run each school's own net price calculator before ruling one out on tuition.
Why Study Business in Seattle
Being on a campus among the business schools in Seattle puts a student inside the employer network that school recruits into, close enough for an internship during term rather than only over the summer, and internships are what turn an undergraduate business degree into a first job.
The 18 ranked schools sit across 7 towns in the metro, among them Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, and the table names the city of each, so check the commute before assuming a suburban campus is the convenient option. 3 of the 18 also run a confirmed online option for students who cannot be on campus daily.
Business Schools in Seattle: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best business school in Seattle?
By Hakia Score, University of Washington-Seattle Campus ranks first among the 18 ranked business schools in Seattle, with a 98.3 score and an 85% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes together, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one of them.
Can you study business part-time in Seattle?
Yes. Evening, weekend and part-time formats are common across the business schools in Seattle, and in a metro this size most schools run at least one. The tradeoff is length rather than content: the same credential takes longer while you keep working. Ask each school for the completion rate of its part-time cohort specifically, since it often differs from the headline graduation rate this ranking uses.
How much does a business degree cost in Seattle?
Tuition among the ranked Seattle schools runs from $3,291 to $62,310 a year. Public schools publish the in-state resident rate, so students moving in from another state should check the out-of-state column before comparing. Neither figure includes Seattle living costs, which are a real part of the total.
How many business schools in Seattle does this ranking cover?
We analyzed 92 accredited business programs across Seattle and the surrounding metro and ranked the top 18 schools, listing one entry per school on its strongest program. This list covers the Seattle and Tacoma metro, so some schools sit outside the city line; the city of each is shown in the table.
Is it worth studying business in Seattle instead of online?
Only 3 of the 18 ranked schools are confirmed online, so in Seattle the campus route is the one most of this list offers. An accredited online program carries identical standing on a transcript, since accreditation attaches to the school and the program rather than to the delivery format. What a campus adds is proximity to the employers that school recruits into, and at $3,291 in-state, Lake Washington Institute of Technology in Kirkland is what that proximity costs at the low end here. The honest comparison is local access against the cost of being here.
How We Rank Business Schools in Seattle
Every program earns a Hakia Score from 0 to 100, built only from federal data (IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education, and BLS) and scored against its true peers: programs in the same field at the same degree level. No reputation surveys, no pay-to-play. Here is how the score is weighted:
- Outcomes44%
Graduation rate (26%) and real per-school graduate earnings (18%). Does the program get students to the finish line, and where do they land?
- Selectivity & academics38%
Admissions selectivity (24%) and the academic profile of admitted students (14%).
- Scale & value18%
Enrollment (7%), cost-to-earnings value (6%), and the number of graduates a program produces (5%).
Weights renormalize over the data each program actually reports, so a school missing a metric (many open-access colleges do not publish entrance scores or earnings) is never penalized for it. Scores are percentiles within the peer group, curved to a 0-to-100 scale. What the score does not measure: individual instructor quality, specific course content, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.