The Best Pacific Northwestern Small Colleges

The Best Small Colleges in the Pacific Northwest for 2025

These are the top ranked small, public and private, four-year colleges in the Pacific Northwest as ranked by CollegeSimply. These schools all have undergraduate enrollment under 3,000. Small colleges allow students a more intimate and personalized experience where it's more likely you will get to know your professors. Leading the list for 2025 is Reed College. Learn how the Best Small Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
Pacific Northwest small Public Private 4 year

12 results

Reed College
Connect Me
R
Portland, OR

Reed College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#1 Best Value in Oregon

  • 1,458enrollment
  • $36,993net price
  • 27%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1510SAT range
  • 29-34ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Whitman College
Connect Me
W
Walla Walla, WA

Whitman College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 1,544enrollment
  • $41,601net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1270-1480SAT range
  • 27-33ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Puget Sound
Connect Me
P
Tacoma, WA

University of Puget Sound

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 1,914enrollment
  • $42,301net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1185-1390SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Linfield University
Connect Me
L
McMinnville, OR

Linfield University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Oregon

  • 1,726enrollment
  • $31,462net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1210SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Seattle Pacific University
Connect Me
S
Seattle, WA

Seattle Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Washington

  • 2,659enrollment
  • $26,155net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1320SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 11

Compare Calculate my chances 
Willamette University
Connect Me
W
Salem, OR

Willamette University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Oregon

  • 2,112enrollment
  • $27,716net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1430SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Whitworth University
Connect Me
W
Spokane, WA

Whitworth University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 2,345enrollment
  • $27,491net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1320SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Pacific Lutheran University
Connect Me
P
Tacoma, WA

Pacific Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Washington

  • 2,737enrollment
  • $23,841net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 988-1258SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
The College of Idaho
Connect Me
I
Caldwell, ID

The College of Idaho

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Idaho

  • 1,076enrollment
  • $22,602net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1270SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Northwest Nazarene University
Connect Me
N
Nampa, ID

Northwest Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Idaho

  • 1,774enrollment
  • $27,291net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 940-1210SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Saint Martin's University
Connect Me
S
Lacey, WA

Saint Martin's University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 1,505enrollment
  • $22,779net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 14-22ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

Compare Calculate my chances 
The Evergreen State College
Connect Me
E
Olympia, WA

The Evergreen State College

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 2,320enrollment
  • $18,480net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 890-1260SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances