Colleges Near Olympia, Washington
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Olympia? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 30 miles of Olympia, Washington.
There are at least 10 colleges serving the area, including 4 private colleges and universities, 1 public college or university, and 5 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving Olympia, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Olympia, Washington Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Olympia, Washington have been declining over the past 5 years. In 2024, students completed 6,217 doctorates at colleges and universities near Olympia. That was a decrease of 16% from completions reported in 2020.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2024
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,111
Completions By Degree
2,605
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Olympia, Washington
There are at least 4 schools offering degrees near Olympia, Washington, and 4 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 8,911 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2024, a total of 3,910 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 2,717 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Olympia, Washington area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2024, 1,602 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 98 associate degrees, 840 master's degrees, and 65 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,111
Completions By Degree
2,605
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Pacific Lutheran University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Pacific Lutheran University. In 2024, 639 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 131 master's degrees, and 17 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,350
Completions By Degree
787
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Saint Martin's University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Saint Martin's University. In 2024, 316 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 80 master's degrees, and 4 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,254
Completions By Degree
400
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Faith International University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and most programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Faith International University. In 2024, 59 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 43 master's degrees, and 16 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
196
Completions By Degree
118
Est. Online Degree Availability
93%
Completions by Program Area
Public Colleges & Universities Near Olympia, Washington
There is 1 four-year public college located near Olympia, Washington. About 2,042 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 533 degrees were completed at public colleges near Olympia. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
The Evergreen State College is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at The Evergreen State College. In 2024, 437 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 96 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,042
Completions By Degree
533
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Community Colleges Near Olympia, Washington
There are 5 community colleges near Olympia, Washington where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2024, about 15,320 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Olympia, and about 4,379 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Tacoma Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,248
Completions By Degree
1,077
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
South Puget Sound Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,692
Completions By Degree
813
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Centralia College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,476
Completions By Degree
431
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Pierce College District is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,487
Completions By Degree
1,603
Est. Online Degree Availability
73%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Clover Park Technical College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,417
Completions By Degree
455
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Affordable Colleges Near Olympia, Washington
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Olympia, Washington? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Olympia-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $28,227. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Olympia is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving Olympia, Washington
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in Olympia, Washington is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Olympia, Washington here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Pacific Lutheran University
- Saint Martin's University
- Faith International University
- Tacoma Community College
- South Puget Sound Community College
- Centralia College
- Pierce College District
- Clover Park Technical College
Olympia, Washington Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Olympia? What's the Olympia, Washington job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2024, there were about 709,617 jobs in the Olympia, Washington area. From 2023-2024, job growth in Olympia was below the national average, at 1.6%. There were 91,704 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Olympia do better than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $26.18.