15 Military Friendly Colleges in Washington

1University of Washington-Seattle Campus
1400 NE Campus Parkway | Seattle, WA 98195

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $11.42M

University of Washington (UW) Seattle Campus is the first military friendly college in Washington on our list. It has over 820 students who get GI Bill benefits. The UW has a long history of educating veterans, active duty military, and military dependent students. And, you could get involved in Student Veteran Life. This group was founded by student veterans, for student veterans, and helps with the college transition. 

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 97%. And, the rate for part time students is 67%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $9,971
Grad: $21,875

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 453
Grad: 316

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 95%
Part Time: 82%

2 Washington State University
French Administration Building | Pullman, WA 99164

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $6.18M

Washington State University (WSU) offers priority registration for classes at WSU during Fall and Spring semesters. (This benefit is for veterans, active duty members, reservists, National Guard members, and spouses.) And, don’t forget to stop by the WSU Veterans Center. This is a place to get help or hang out with fellow veteran students.

WSU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The school offers up $650 per year for up to 21 students at the Pullman campus.  At the Tri-Cities campus, 3 students are eligible for up to $650 per year. And, 6 students at the Vancouver campus may get up to $650 per year.

Veterans may get transfer credit for military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 80%. And, the rate for part time students is 52%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $9,237
Grad: $11,314

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 569
Grad: 82

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 79%
Part Time: 53%

3 Saint Martin’s University
5000 Abbey Way SE | Lacey, WA 98508

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $4.82M

Saint Martin’s University (SMU) has supported the military community for more than 40 years. The Veterans Center provides support, resources and community. And, the SMU Vet’s Club offers veterans ways to get involved and work on common goals.

SMU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers an unlimited number of students an unlimited max contribution per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 82%. And, the rate for part time students is 20%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $16,834
Grad: $12,726

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 255
Grad: 42

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 78%
Part Time: 50%

4 University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
1900 Commerce St, Tacoma, Washington 98402-3100

UW Tacoma has a Veteran and Military Resource Center (VMRC) that serves as a resource for military connected students.

The VMRC is made up of two staff members. A Veteran and Military Services Staff and the Veterans Incubator for Better Entrepreneurship (VIBE) Staff. Both are there to help military learners and eligible dependents access their VA educational benefits and Washington state tuition waivers. 

Sharing the VMRC space is VIBE. VIBE provides an applied training environment that supports military veterans’ entrepreneurial goals. It also promotes an understanding of the current startup life cycle.

Student veterans could also get involved with UW Tacoma’s Student Veterans Organization.

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $4.23M

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $9,428
Grad: $12,943

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 367
Grad: 60

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 80%
Part Time: 70%

5 Seattle University
900 Broadway | Seattle, WA 98122

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $3.96M

Seattle University is home to a veterans’ community with many ways to get help. These include the Outreach Center, SU Veterans Community (SUVC) student club, School Certifying Officials, VA Work-study, and VetCorp Navigator.

Seattle U participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 120 undergrad students up to $14,000 per year. 50 grad students get up to $5,000 per year. And, 10 doctoral students get up to $10,000 per year.

Veterans may be eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 78%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $19,588
Grad: $15,095

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 130
Grad: 94

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 88%
Part Time: 11%

6 Seattle Pacific University
3307 3rd Ave West | Seattle, WA 98119

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $3.14M

Seattle Pacific University (SPU) has a dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military service members, and their families.

Plus, SPU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers an unlimited number of undergrad students up to $12,500 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 100%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $27,847
Grad: $16,872

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 104
Grad: 15

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 81%
Part Time: 17%

7 Western Washington University
516 High St | Bellingham, WA 98225

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $2.51M

Western Washington University (WWU) is another military friendly college in Washington. The school has a recognized student veteran organization.

WWU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 12 undergrad students an unlimited max contribution per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 83%. And, the rate for part time students is 50%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,944
Grad: $3,528

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 356
Grad: 13

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 82%
Part Time: 63%

8 Eastern Washington University
526 5th St | Cheney, WA 99004

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $2.32M

Eastern Washington University (EWU) has an award-winning Veterans Resource Center (VRC). This VRC is the largest of its kind in the northwest, and helps military students transition to student life. Plus, there’s a lounge, study area, and computer lab.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 77%. And, the rate for part time students is 57%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,537
Grad: $8,974

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 319
Grad: 27

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 70%
Part Time: 53%

9 University of Washington-Bothell Campus
18115 Campus Way NE, Bothell, Washington 98011-8246

UW Bothell has been designated a veteran supportive campus by the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. The Veterans Services team is there to provide help to eligible military connected learners who want to use their education benefits from the VA.

The campus also has a range or student veteran resources. Including career services, resume writing, Facebook groups and a robust list of referrals.

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $1.93M

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $9,971
Grad: $12,398

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 169
Grad: 20

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 83%
Part Time: 81%

10 Everett Community College
2000 Tower Street, Everett, Washington 98201

Everett Community College has a dedicated Veterans’ Resource Center. Staff is available to help veterans and activate VA education benefits. Qualifying veterans could also check with the center if they need books. If you have to leave college due to active military service, you do not need to reapply as long as you return within five years of your last quarter of attendance. 

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $1.62M

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $3,363
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 484
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 64%
Part Time: 57%

11 Pierce College-Puyallup
9401 Farwest Dr SW, Lakewood, Washington 98498-1999

Pierce College makes a pledge to serve veterans and their families.

The Veterans Services Offices at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom and Puyallup act as link between the College and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. There are certifying officials to assist veteran students by verifying their paperwork and submitting it to VA.

Also on campus is the Veterans Resource Center. It acts as a link between students and the Veterans Benefits Office by providing information about extra support.

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $1.38M

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $3,088
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 449
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 51%
Part Time: 36%

12 South Puget Sound Community College
2011 Mottman Rd SW, Olympia, Washington 98512-6292

South Puget Sound Community College is approved to provide education and training benefits to veterans. The Veterans Office is there to help guide you through the application process. There are also school certifying officials who could advice you as an SPCC student.

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $1.15M

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $2,850
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 405
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 67%
Part Time: 47%

13 DigiPen Institute of Technology
9931 Willows Rd NE, Redmond, Washington 98052

DigiPen is a Yellow Ribbon Program participant. As an approved school, it is one where you could use veterans education benefits.

Part of DigiPen’s Office of Financial Aid’s mission is to serve the needs of those eligible for Veterans Affairs (VA) educational benefits. Financial Aid Advisors are available to answer military connected learners’ questions. Whether about veterans benefits, certification or related issues.

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $1.07M

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $22,325
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 48
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 80%
Part Time: 75%

14 Bates Technical College
1101 S Yakima Ave, Tacoma, Washington 98405

Selected programs of study at Bates Technical College are approved by the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board’s State Approving Agency (WTECB/SAA). Which means enrolled and eligible military learners could receive VA benefits under Title 38 and Title 10, USC.

The school also has a Veterans Resource Center. It is another support system for military connected students that provides peer connection and information about benefits.

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $1.06M

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $4,421
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 242
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 67%
Part Time: 65%

15 The Evergreen State College
2700 Evergreen Parkway NW | Olympia, WA 98505

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.99M

The Evergreen State College is the last military friendly college in Washington on our list. The school has a Veterans Resource Center. This is a place where military connected students can get compassionate and confidential help. And, you could join the Veterans of Evergreen Transition and Support (V.E.T.S.) group. They help raise awareness for veterans’ needs.

Evergreen participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 10 students an unlimited max contribution per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 81%. And, the rate for part time students is 33%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $7,040
Grad: $8,414

# of Students

Undergrad: 127
Grad: 12

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 66%
Part Time: 29%