Best Communications Schools in Washington (2026)

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Washington Communications At a Glance

Metric Detail
Median Communications Salary $99,198
Salary Outlook Washington offers competitive wages for communications professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing Body Washington Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation Required Institutional + Regional

Earning an online communications degree in Washington offers a flexible path into communications careers. Washington offers competitive wages for communications professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, Washington students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Communications Schools in Washington

The following schools offer accredited online communications programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Washington.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, WA
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
89.7 BOC Score
Graduation rate 85%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $78,466
Avg net price $14,091/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 95%
  • Programs offered: 234

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

Tacoma, WA
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
83.8 BOC Score
Graduation rate 73%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $78,466
Avg net price $10,163/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 79%
  • Programs offered: 41

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

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#3

Gonzaga University

Spokane, WA
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
  • Accredited
76.4 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 82%
Graduation rate 87%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $78,892
Avg net price $35,119/yr
Tuition
In‑state$55,480
Out‑of‑state$55,480
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 93%
  • Programs offered: 63

Source:Accreditor: Northwest Commission on Colleges and UniversitiesIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#4

University of Washington-Bothell Campus

Bothell, WA
  • 4 year
77.8 BOC Score
Graduation rate 80%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $78,466
Avg net price $12,319/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 86%
  • Programs offered: 39

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

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#5

University of Puget Sound

Tacoma, WA
  • 4 year
57.1 BOC Score
Graduation rate 75%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $69,594
Avg net price $38,394/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 82%
  • Programs offered: 52

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#6

Seattle Pacific University

Seattle, WA
  • 4 year
52.1 BOC Score
Graduation rate 66%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $64,506
Avg net price $24,488/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 74%
  • Programs offered: 81

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

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#7

Northwest University

Kirkland, WA
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
50.9 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 83%
Graduation rate 67%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $54,914
Avg net price $22,288/yr
Tuition
In‑state$36,035
Out‑of‑state$36,035
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 79%
  • Programs offered: 32

Source:Accreditor: Northwest Commission on Colleges and UniversitiesIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#8

Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA
  • 4 year
44.6 BOC Score
Graduation rate 63%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $62,092
Avg net price $28,119/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 69%
  • Programs offered: 40

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

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Career Outlook and Salaries in Washington

Communications professionals in Washington experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Washington.

Occupation Median Annual Salary (Washington)
Public Relations Specialist $87,470
Public Relations Manager $159,440
News Analyst, Reporter and Journalist $54,760
Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist $95,120

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online Communications Degree in Washington?

Choosing a program in Washington can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Washington offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Regional Relevance: Curriculum often incorporates data and case studies relevant to the Washington economy and job market.


Frequently Asked Questions

Are online communications programs in Washington accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Communications pay in Washington compare to other states?

Washington offers competitive wages for communications professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Washington a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for communications in Washington?

The Washington Professional Licensing Board oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Washington. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


Online Communications Programs by City in Washington

Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:

Aberdeen · Auburn · Bainbridge Island · Battle Ground · Bellevue · Bellingham · Bonney Lake · Bothell · Bremerton · Burien · Camas · Centralia · Covington · Des Moines · Edmonds · Ellensburg · Everett · Federal Way · Issaquah · Kenmore · Kennewick · Kent · Kirkland · Lacey · Lake Stevens · Lakewood · Longview · Lynnwood · Maple Valley · Marysville · Mercer Island · Mill Creek · Moses Lake · Mount Vernon · Mountlake Terrace · Mukilteo · Oak Harbor · Olympia · Pasco · Port Angeles · Pullman · Puyallup · Redmond · Renton · Richland · Sammamish · SeaTac · Seattle · Sequim · Shoreline · Snoqualmie · Spokane · Spokane Valley · Tacoma · Tukwila · Tumwater · University Place · Vancouver · Walla Walla · Wenatchee · Yakima


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