The Best International Business Programs in Washington for 2026
The best international business programs in Washington are the accredited schools that graduate their students and charge honestly for it, not the ones with the biggest name. Hakia analyzed 7 business programs in Washington on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes to rank where a bachelor's in international business actually pays off. In-state tuition among the 7 ranked programs in Washington runs from $3,742 to $62,310 a year, a $58,568 spread for the same credential.
University of Puget Sound tops the list with an 80.5 Hakia Score on a 68% graduation rate, at $62,310 a year in-state. Across all 7 ranked schools, the average graduation rate is 54%, ranging from 33% to 76%. The national median pay in the field is $102,425 a year per the BLS, the same benchmark every ranked school here feeds into regardless of tuition paid.
Below is the full ranked table, followed by a school-by-school look at every ranked program and what actually separates them: cost, completion, selectivity, and where the degree leads. Every figure is drawn from federal IPEDS and BLS data, and no school pays for placement.
Key Takeaways on the Best International Business Bachelor's Programs in Washington
- University of Puget Sound ranks first among Washington's business programs with an 80.5 Hakia Score and a 68% graduation rate.
- In-state tuition across the 7 ranked Washington programs spans $3,742 to $62,310 a year, a $58,568 gap for the same bachelor's in international business.
- The 7 ranked Washington programs graduate 54% of students on average, from 33% to 76%.
- 5 of the 7 ranked schools are public, where the in-state rate drives the lowest cost for Washington residents.
- National median pay in the field is $102,425 (BLS), the benchmark every ranked Washington program feeds into regardless of tuition.
Hakia analyzed 7 accredited programs in Washington reported to IPEDS, scoring each on graduation rate, selectivity, in-state cost, and outcomes. No school is rewarded for sticker price alone, and none pays for inclusion.
The 7 Best International Business Bachelor's Programs in Washington, Ranked for 2026
| # | Program | Type | In-state tuition | Grad rate | Admit rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Puget SoundTacoma, WA | Nonprofit | $62,310 | 68% | 72% | 80.5 |
| 2 | Seattle UniversitySeattle, WA | Nonprofit | $55,620 | 76% | 77% | 79.6 |
| 3 | Washington State UniversityPullman, WA | Public | $11,305 | 60% | 87% | 75.1 |
| 4 | Western Washington UniversityBellingham, WA | Public | $8,240 | 65% | 93% | 73.5 |
| 5 | North Seattle CollegeSeattle, WA | Public | $4,488 | 33% | NR | 61.3 |
| 6 | Eastern Washington UniversityCheney, WA | Public | $7,521 | 43% | 91% | 59.7 |
| 7 | Highline CollegeDes Moines, WA | Public | $3,742 | 35% | NR | 56.6 |
NR — not reported by the institution in the latest IPEDS collection.
How the Top International Business Bachelor's Programs in Washington 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 International Business Bachelor's Programs in Washington, School by School
University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, WA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 68%
- Admit rate
- 72%
- In-state
- $62,310
- Out-of-state
- $62,310
University of Puget Sound graduates 68% of its students, above the 54% average across this ranking, on an 80.5 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 80.5, #1 of 7
- 68% graduation rate
- $62,310 tuition
- Most selective program here
University of Puget Sound is a private, nonprofit institution in Tacoma, WA. Its Bachelor's in International Business program ranks #1 of the 7 analyzed here with an 80.5 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That is the highest score in the ranking, well above the 69.5 group average. The program graduates 68% of its students, above the 54% average across the ranked schools. University of Puget Sound admits 72% of applicants, more selective than the 84% average for the group. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 33% to 76%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 1,864 students.
On cost, University of Puget Sound charges $62,310 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $249,240 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,742 at Highline College to $62,310 at University of Puget Sound. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $102,425 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Seattle University
Seattle, WA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 76%
- Admit rate
- 77%
- In-state
- $55,620
- Out-of-state
- $55,620
Seattle University graduates 76% of its students, above the 54% average across this ranking, on a 79.6 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 79.6, #2 of 7
- 76% graduation rate
- $55,620 tuition
- Top graduation rate on this list
Based in Seattle, WA, Seattle University is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Bachelor's in International Business program lands at #2 of the 7 ranked here, earning a 79.6 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 69.5 group average, in the top third of the 7 ranked programs, 0.9 points behind top-ranked University of Puget Sound. The program graduates 76% of its students, above the 54% average across the ranked schools. Seattle University admits 77% of applicants, more selective than the 84% average for the group. That is more open than the 72% rate at University of Puget Sound, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 33% to 76%.
On cost, Seattle University charges $55,620 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $222,480 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,742 at Highline College to $62,310 at University of Puget Sound. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $102,425 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Washington State University
Pullman, WA · Public
- Grad rate
- 60%
- Admit rate
- 87%
- In-state
- $11,305
- Out-of-state
- $27,864
Washington State University graduates 60% of its students, above the 54% average across this ranking, on a 75.1 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 75.1, #3 of 7
- 60% graduation rate
- $11,305 in-state vs $27,864 out-of-state
- Largest campus in this ranking
Washington State University is a public institution in Pullman, WA. Its Bachelor's in International Business program ranks #3 of the 7 analyzed here with a 75.1 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 69.5 group average, in the middle third of the 7 ranked programs, 5.4 points behind top-ranked University of Puget Sound. The program graduates 60% of its students, above the 54% average across the ranked schools. Washington State University admits 87% of applicants, less selective than the 84% average for the group. That is more open than the 72% rate at University of Puget Sound, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 33% to 76%.
On cost, Washington State University charges $11,305 a year in-state, roughly 2.5x the $27,864 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $45,220 in tuition for residents, against $111,456 for non-residents. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,742 at Highline College to $62,310 at University of Puget Sound. Graduates step into a field with a $102,425 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA · Public
- Grad rate
- 65%
- Admit rate
- 93%
- In-state
- $8,240
- Out-of-state
- $27,365
Western Washington University graduates 65% of its students, above the 54% average across this ranking, on a 73.5 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 73.5, #4 of 7
- 65% graduation rate
- $8,240 in-state vs $27,365 out-of-state
- Admits just 93% of applicants
Based in Bellingham, WA, Western Washington University is a public institution. Its Bachelor's in International Business program lands at #4 of the 7 ranked here, earning a 73.5 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 69.5 group average, in the middle third of the 7 ranked programs, 7 points behind top-ranked University of Puget Sound. The program graduates 65% of its students, above the 54% average across the ranked schools. Western Washington University admits 93% of applicants, less selective than the 84% average for the group. That is more open than the 72% rate at University of Puget Sound, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 33% to 76%.
On cost, Western Washington University charges $8,240 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $27,365 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $32,960 in tuition for residents, against $109,460 for non-residents. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,742 at Highline College to $62,310 at University of Puget Sound. Graduates step into a field with a $102,425 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
North Seattle College
Seattle, WA · Public
- Grad rate
- 33%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $4,488
- Out-of-state
- $5,046
At $4,488 a year in-state, North Seattle College is among the more affordable bachelor's in international business programs ranked here, holding a 61.3 Hakia Score on a 33% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 61.3, #5 of 7
- 33% graduation rate
- $4,488 in-state vs $5,046 out-of-state
- 5,569 students enrolled
Based in Seattle, WA, North Seattle College is a public institution. Its Bachelor's in International Business program lands at #5 of the 7 ranked here, earning a 61.3 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 69.5 group average, in the lower third of the 7 ranked programs. The program graduates 33% of its students, below the 54% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 33% to 76%. The university enrolls 5,569 students overall.
On cost, North Seattle College charges $4,488 a year in-state, versus $5,046 for out-of-state students. Over four years that is about $17,952 in tuition for residents, against $20,184 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,742 at Highline College to $62,310 at University of Puget Sound. Graduates step into a field with a $102,425 national median salary reported by the BLS. That median runs roughly 23x the program's annual in-state tuition. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA · Public
- Grad rate
- 43%
- Admit rate
- 91%
- In-state
- $7,521
- Out-of-state
- $25,518
At $7,521 a year in-state, Eastern Washington University is among the more affordable bachelor's in international business programs ranked here, holding a 59.7 Hakia Score on a 43% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 59.7, #6 of 7
- 43% graduation rate
- $7,521 in-state vs $25,518 out-of-state
- Admits just 91% of applicants
Based in Cheney, WA, Eastern Washington University is a public institution. Its Bachelor's in International Business program lands at #6 of the 7 ranked here, earning a 59.7 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 69.5 group average, in the lower third of the 7 ranked programs. The program graduates 43% of its students, below the 54% average across the ranked schools. Eastern Washington University admits 91% of applicants, less selective than the 84% average for the group. That is more open than the 72% rate at University of Puget Sound, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 33% to 76%.
On cost, Eastern Washington University charges $7,521 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $25,518 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $30,084 in tuition for residents, against $102,072 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,742 at Highline College to $62,310 at University of Puget Sound. Graduates step into a field with a $102,425 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.
Highline College
Des Moines, WA · Public
- Grad rate
- 35%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $3,742
- Out-of-state
- $3,742
At $3,742 a year in-state, Highline College is among the more affordable bachelor's in international business programs ranked here, holding a 56.6 Hakia Score on a 35% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 56.6, #7 of 7
- 35% graduation rate
- $3,742 tuition
- Lowest in-state tuition here
Highline College is a public institution in Des Moines, WA. Its Bachelor's in International Business program ranks #7 of the 7 analyzed here with a 56.6 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 69.5 group average, in the lower third of the 7 ranked programs. The program graduates 35% of its students, below the 54% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 33% to 76%. The university enrolls 5,592 students overall.
On cost, Highline College charges $3,742 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $14,968 in tuition. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,742 at Highline College to $62,310 at University of Puget Sound. Graduates step into a field with a $102,425 national median salary reported by the BLS. That median runs roughly 27x the program's annual in-state tuition. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.
What a Bachelor's in International Business Costs in Washington
In-state tuition among the 7 ranked programs in Washington runs from $3,742 to $62,310 a year. Highline College anchors the low end at $3,742, while University of Puget Sound sits at the top at $62,310. At public schools that in-state figure is the resident rate; out-of-state students routinely pay two to three times as much, which can reorder this list entirely for anyone moving in from elsewhere.
Run the four-year math and the gap widens: about $14,968 in tuition at the low end against roughly $249,240 at the high end for the same bachelor's in international business. Against the national median of $102,425 a year, the cheaper degree pays its tuition back far faster.
A higher price does not automatically buy a stronger degree. Weigh each school's graduation rate and net price, not just its sticker tuition, and use its net price calculator for your own situation before comparing.
Accreditation and Value: What to Check First
Every school ranked here is accredited and reports to the federal IPEDS system, so the Hakia Score never rewards an unaccredited program for being cheap or convenient. Accreditation is what makes an international business degree count with employers, licensing boards, and other schools, so confirm it on the program's own page before enrolling, not after.
Low tuition only pays off when the degree finishes and counts. That is why this ranking weighs completion alongside cost: a cheap program that graduates a fraction of its students is not a bargain. Where a field carries programmatic accreditation on top of institutional accreditation, look for it too.
International Business Careers and Pay After a Washington Program
Every degree on this list points toward the same national labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts national median pay in the field at $102,425 a year, a figure that applies across the profession rather than to any single school here, and it holds whether a graduate paid $3,742 or $62,310 a year in tuition. That is the core tradeoff this ranking is built to expose: a higher price does not buy a higher starting salary in the federal wage data.
Full occupational detail, including job-growth projections and state-level wage breakdowns, is published by the BLS. Graduates of any ranked Washington program compete in that same national pay structure.
International Business Bachelor's Programs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best international business bachelor's degree in Washington?
By Hakia Score, University of Puget Sound ranks first among the 7 business programs in Washington we analyzed, with an 80.5 score and a 68% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, in-state cost, and outcomes, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one.
How much does an international business bachelor's degree cost in Washington?
In-state tuition among the ranked Washington programs runs from $3,742 to $62,310 a year. These are resident rates at public schools; out-of-state students pay more, so confirm your residency status and check the out-of-state column before comparing.
Is an online international business bachelor's degree respected by employers?
Yes, when the school is accredited. An accredited online degree lists the same on a transcript as the on-campus version, and accreditation, not delivery format, is what protects the credential. Every program ranked here is accredited and reporting to the federal IPEDS system.
What salary can graduates expect?
The BLS reports a national median of $102,425 a year for the field. That is a national benchmark, not an Washington-specific figure or a promised outcome for any single school, but it is the number every tuition dollar on this page should be measured against.
How We Rank International Business Bachelor's Programs in Washington
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.