The Pacific Northwest (covering the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho) is a region rich in natural beauty. Because of that, it’s no surprise that Pacific Northwest colleges have such beautiful campuses with strong focuses on sustainability and conservation.
In this blog, we’ll talk about ten colleges in the Pacific Northwest and give an overview of what makes them stand out.
10 Best Colleges in the Pacific Northwest
Pacific Northwest colleges give you a stronger appreciation of nature by letting you immerse yourself in the environment while studying for your classes. Below, we’ll discuss ten schools and what makes them differ from one another.
1. University of Washington (Seattle, WA)
Acceptance rate: 48%
SAT and ACT scores: 1260-1510 (SAT), 30-34 (ACT)
The University of Washington is a prominent public research university among the Pacific Northwest colleges that consistently receives significant federal research funding. In fact, its total annual research funding is consistently over $1 billion, thanks to sponsored grants and contracts.
The school is especially known for its extensive research activities in medicine, engineering, and the sciences. For instance, one of its more recent projects relates to responding to the increase in wildfires in the country.
It’s also known for notable programs in the engineering, health, and environmental sciences. Some of its unique majors in those fields are:
- Aquatic & Fisheries Sciences
- Bioresource Science & Engineering
- Environmental Public Health
- Environmental Science & Terrestrial Resource Management
- Human Centered Design and Engineering
The school’s location also gives students great internship and career opportunities. For instance, Seattle has a thriving tech industry that includes companies like Amazon and Microsoft. The region’s natural environment also makes for great research and fieldwork for environmental sciences students and graduates.
2. Reed College (Portland, OR)
Acceptance rate: 31%
SAT and ACT scores (optional): 1320-1500 (SAT), 30-33 (ACT)
Reed College is known for emphasizing critical thinking, independent research, and in-depth study over grades. But don’t be fooled—the school has an intense academic environment where fewer than ten students have gotten a perfect 4.0 GPA in the last 25 years.
That’s because, rather than being given letter grades on exams and papers, students receive robust ongoing feedback and comments on their work. This system “fosters content proficiency, more creativity and intellectual curiosity, and stronger outcomes.” However, you can view your letter grades upon request.
As a liberal arts college, the school has strong humanities and social sciences programs. You can choose from 38 majors and 13 interdisciplinary programs to tailor your education to your academic and career goals.
The Humanities 101 course is particularly known within the institution since it introduces you to the humanities. You’ll see how the interaction of diverse human thoughts leads to different ways of life.
Reed College is also known for its doctoral degree productivity, ranking among the top 10 institutions in various disciplines of undergraduate origins of doctoral degrees.
3) Whitman College (Walla Walla, WA)
Acceptance rate: 50%
SAT and ACT scores (optional): 1270-1470 (SAT), 30-33 (ACT)
Whitman College is another highly regarded liberal arts school among Pacific Northwest colleges. It promotes experiential learning with programs like “Semester in the West,” which provides field-based study on environmental issues. “Encounters” is another unique first-year interdisciplinary course that promotes critical thinking and discussion on the encounters between peoples and cultures,
The school is also known for its very active outdoor organizations that take advantage of the proximity to the Blue Mountains and other outdoor locations. You can hike, ski, or even just explore and appreciate the region’s natural resources. The institution is so connected to nature that it even displays its 1:1 student-tree ratio on its homepage!
Another reason Whitman stands out among Pacific Northwest colleges is that it actually doesn’t have graduate programs. The school focuses exclusively on undergraduate education, ensuring that students receive personalized attention from faculty.
Rest assured that if you graduate from this institution, you’re still very well-prepared for graduate school. In fact, at least 60% of Whitman graduates enter graduate programs in prestigious institutions like:
- Stanford University
- Columbia University
- Harvard University
- University of London
- Johns Hopkins University
4) Gonzaga University (Spokane, WA)
Acceptance rate: 76%
SAT and ACT scores (optional): 1210-1410 (SAT), 26-31 (ACT)
Gonzaga University is one of the notable Christian Pacific Northwest colleges. As a private Jesuit university, it offers a distinctive blend of rigorous academics, a strong sense of community, and a commitment to service.
The university’s Jesuit identity is a defining characteristic, emphasizing a holistic education that integrates intellectual, spiritual, and ethical development. Its curriculum incorporates Jesuit values, such as social justice and service to others.
Many of Gonzaga University’s schools and programs are recognized as being some of the best in the country:
- #53 in online master’s nursing programs
- Top 20% among undergraduate psychology programs
- Top 100 among law schools, best value schools, and top performers on social mobility
The nursing program is particularly notable for its humanistic approach, which is influenced by the Jesuit mission of men and women for others. Nurse practitioner faculty members also actively work in healthcare, giving you up-to-date healthcare policy issues, evolving trends, and real-world challenges currently facing the industry.
5) Lewis & Clark College (Portland, OR)
Acceptance rate: 75%
SAT and ACT scores (optional): 1260-1400 (SAT), 29-32 (ACT)
Lewis & Clark College (L&C) is a private liberal arts college known for its beautiful campus, strong international focus, and commitment to experiential learning.
The college’s campus, located on a historic estate, is known for its stunning architecture and natural beauty. As with many Pacific Northwest colleges, L&C has many natural areas. This gives you easy access to outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, skiing, and kayaking.
The school, in particular, has the College Outdoors program, where you’ll get to explore the environment through activities like mushroom hunting, backpacking, whitewater rafting, and nature meditation.
Given L&C’s location, and the interests of its student body, the Environmental Studies program is especially strong. It’s an interdisciplinary program that also requires you to take courses in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. You can even earn course credit while on an overseas program.
6) University of Oregon (Eugene, OR)
Acceptance rate: 85%
SAT and ACT scores (optional): 1140-1370 (SAT), 24-30 (ACT)
The University of Oregon is a tier 1 national public research university among Pacific Northwest colleges, receiving around $177 million in external research funding. Some of its notable research hubs are:
- Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact. Here, bioengineering experts give students interdisciplinary, hands-on training that can help them solve real-world problems.
- Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health. This institute aims to improve the mental health of children and adolescents through community-engaged research and practice.
It’s also known for its commitment to sustainability. In fact, there are initiatives across campus and academic programs focused on environmental issues. The Office of Sustainability overlooks the integration of sustainability into the institution’s operations, curriculum, co-curriculum, research, and engagement with the community.
Eugene itself is a very green city that places a high value on sustainability, making the university a huge asset to its efforts.
The University of Oregon also has a strong athletic tradition, particularly in track and field and football. It also has some of the best athletic facilities in the country. For instance, the Jane Sanders Stadium has established itself as one of the best facilities of the NCAA, particularly for softball.
7) Oregon State University (Corvallis, OR)
Acceptance rate: 79%
SAT and ACT scores (optional): 1120-1370 (SAT), 21-28 (ACT)
Oregon State University is another public research university among Pacific Northwest colleges, particularly in areas like robotics, sustainable energy, and environmental science. In fact, it gets more research funding than any public university in Oregon.
The institution offers around 200 degree programs among its 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and extension programs. The Ecampus is especially notable for being one of the country’s best and most respected providers of online education.
The Corvallis campus is also well-known for being located in one of the best college towns among Pacific Northwest colleges. The campus is in the heart of the Willamette Valley, making it easy to access outdoor environments and activities like miles of mountain biking and hiking trails and a river for boating or kayaking.
As with other Pacific Northwest colleges, this environment provides research and fieldwork opportunities for students in the environmental sciences like:
- Forestry
- Natural Resources
- Wood Innovation for Sustainability
- Climate Science
- Geology
8) Washington State University (Pullman, WA)
Acceptance rate: 85%
SAT and ACT scores (optional): 1020-1210 (SAT), 20-26 (ACT)
Washington State University (WSU) has a strong legacy in veterinary medicine among Pacific Northwest colleges. Established in 1899, the College of Veterinary Medicine is one of the oldest veterinary schools in the United States. You’ll receive extensive hands-on training throughout your four years and work with real-world cases.
The university’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences is also highly regarded. It offers a wide range of agricultural programs, covering everything from crop and soil sciences to animal sciences, food science, and agricultural economics. This lets you specialize in your areas of interest. The university has experimental farms and research facilities that allow for real-world application of knowledge.
WSU also has strong ties to the agricultural industry in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, giving you valuable networking opportunities and career prospects.
Outside of academics, WSU’s location offers opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and camping. The area is not as mountainous as other parts of the Pacific Northwest, but the rolling hills of the Palouse surrounding Pullman are still a sight to behold.
9) Pacific University (Forest Grove, OR)
Acceptance rate: 92%
SAT and ACT scores (optional): 1090-1350 (SAT), 20-26 (ACT)
Pacific University is a private liberal arts university with a strong focus on professional programs and a commitment to personalized education. It’s especially known for its strong programs in health professions among Pacific Northwest colleges. These majors include:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Audiology
- Optometry
- Physician assistant studies
Aside from professional programs, Pacific University also has a strong liberal arts foundation that helps foster critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. The institution also strongly emphasizes international study, offering many programs for you to study abroad.
Forest Grove’s location in the Tualatin Valley provides easy access to outdoor recreation opportunities. You can hike and bike in the nearby Coast Range, explore the Oregon wine country, or walk along the Oregon coast. Experiencing this natural beauty can encourage you to appreciate and engage with the environment more.
Pacific University is also known among Pacific Northwest colleges for its sustainability practices. Its Center for a Sustainable Society allows you to experience that commitment to sustainability and also be part of a community that aims to create ethical and transdisciplinary solutions to problems.
10) Northwest University (Kirkland, WA)
Acceptance rate: 88%
SAT and ACT scores (optional): 1050-1210 (SAT), 22-30 (ACT)
Northwest University is a private Christian university affiliated with the Assemblies of God. The institution is known among Pacific Northwest colleges for its strong commitment to integrating Christian faith and values into its academic programs and campus life. This creates a distinctive educational experience that emphasizes spiritual development alongside intellectual growth.
Aside from that, the school emphasizes the development of values-based leadership skills.
As an Assemblies of God university, the institution has very strong ministry and theology programs. It aims to be a school “where students can grow in character, in careers, and in Christ.” Northwest University also has strong programs in business, psychology, and nursing.
The school’s location is also one of the best among Pacific Northwest colleges. You get easy access to the amenities of the Seattle metropolitan area, and the campus is also quite near the shores of Lake Washington where you can kayak, hike, and explore the nearby mountains.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Northwest University ranking?
Northwest University ranks number 43 among regional universities in the west and number 10 in best value schools.
2. What are Christian colleges in the Pacific Northwest?
Some Christian Pacific Northwest colleges include Northwest University in Washington, George Fox University in Oregon, and Boise Bible College in Idaho.
3. What are liberal arts colleges in the Pacific Northwest?
Examples of liberal arts colleges in the Pacific Northwest are Reed College in Oregon, Whitman College in Washington and College of Idaho in Idaho.
Takeaways
- Ten of the best Pacific Northwest colleges are the University of Washington, Reed College, Whitman College, Gonzaga University, Lewis & Clark College, University of Oregon, Washington State University, Pacific University, and Northwest University.
- Pacific Northwest colleges have beautiful campuses that are committed to sustainability. Because of their locations, you can enjoy many outdoor activities in your free time—whether it’s simply hiking on the trails or kayaking in the river.
- Found a campus you fell in love with? Talk to a private consultant to help boost your college application and improve your chances of getting accepted into the school.
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