Best Online Colleges in Washington

Benefits of Studying Online in Washington

Washington State is thought to be the gateway between the East and the West, a cultural buffer zone of sorts. It has 7.7 million people making it the nation's 13th most populated state, and a population of 2.3% of the entire nation. The state's largest city (and de facto capitol) is Seattle, and the regional transport hub of the Pacific Northwest. The Evergreen State flaunts itself as the Chinook State with often heavy rainfall, making it the perfect spot for hikers and nature lovers of the Pacific Coast. It's also the 18th largest state in terms of square footage, giving students more than 71,000 square miles to explore.

Employment Stats

The job market in Washington is not to be overlooked. At its core, Washington is an economic powerhouse. It's the 14th largest employer in the nation, with more than 3.5 million non-farm employees - accounting for 2.31% of the nation's workforce. From 2021 to 2022 the state added a whopping 133,400 workers (3.91% year over year-growth), making Washington the 14th fastest growing state in terms of employed persons. This growth outshines the median state by a whopping 1.6 million workers (79% difference).

Washington just edged out Tennessee in the rankings, having 28,000 more people employed in 2022 (a difference of 8.61%). However, the Evergreen State narrowly lost to the #13 ranked state, Massachusetts. Massachusetts employed an additional 168,000 workers (4.5% difference) - a clear-cut sign of its high potential for careers and businesses. But in terms of raw numbers, Washington stands far below the nation leader (California) by more than 800,000 employed persons (or about -80%).

Job Opportunities

Washington is one of the most populous states in America, but that’s not the only reason it’s worth considering studying in. The state boasts an incredibly diverse job market, with 756 different occupations. That puts Washington well above the national median of 722, meaning you’re likely to find specialized positions available in your field of study, no matter what that may be.

Washington has some of the best universities in the country, most notably the University of Washington. The school is home to over 50,000 students in Seattle, and is the state’s highest-ranked university according to US News & World Report. The school also employs a large number of researchers, making it an ideal place to study sciences, engineering and more. Washington is also home to several Fortune 500 companies, including Starbucks, Amazon and Microsoft, to name a few. With world-class universities, an expansive job market and countless amazing outdoor activities, Washington is a great place to consider studying in.

To sum it up, Washington should be considered a viable contender for students considering their online degree options. From Seattle to Spokane, the state is expected to continue its steady growth trend for years to come. The combination of relevant job opportunities, great weather, and closeness to nature makes Washington a true paradise for those looking to explore their educational career while also having a lot of fun in the process.

*All data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023)