Top 3 AI Programs in Washington 2025
University of Washington
Paul Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering with world-renowned AI faculty and direct Amazon/Microsoft research partnerships
Washington State University
Growing AI program with focus on agricultural AI and strong industry partnerships across Pacific Northwest
Seattle University
Small class sizes with personalized AI curriculum and strong connections to Seattle's startup ecosystem
- 1.Washington has 12 accredited AI and machine learning degree programs, led by University of Washington's globally ranked program
- 2.University of Washington ranks #1 in Washington with 84% graduation rate and partnerships with Amazon, Microsoft, and Allen Institute
- 3.Washington AI engineers earn median $168,440 annually—highest in the nation outside California and New York
- 4.Seattle's tech ecosystem provides 15,000+ AI/ML job openings with companies like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Research, and 200+ AI startups
- 5.In-state students save $38,000+ annually at UW compared to private alternatives while accessing world-class AI research facilities
AI Education Landscape in Washington State
Washington state offers some of the strongest artificial intelligence programs in the nation, anchored by the University of Washington's Paul Allen School and supported by the state's thriving tech ecosystem. With major AI companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and the Allen Institute for AI headquartered here, students gain unparalleled access to research opportunities, internships, and career pathways.
The state's AI programs range from research-focused university offerings to practical, industry-aligned curricula. For broader context, see our national AI bachelor's rankings and AI master's programs guide. Career-focused students should review our AI/ML engineer salary guide for Washington-specific compensation data and growth projections.
Based on 12 programs from Google Scholar, LinkedIn alumni data, Washington Employment Security Department
AI research output, citations, and faculty h-index
Tech company partnerships and internship placement
Graduate salaries and job placement rates
Faculty credentials and curriculum depth
Washington AI Program Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Washington | Seattle | Public | $12,092 | 84% | 17:1 | 96.5 |
| 2 | Washington State University | Pullman | Public | $11,592 | 71% | 15:1 | 88.2 |
| 3 | Seattle University | Seattle | Private | $50,580 | 79% | 11:1 | 85.1 |
| 4 | University of Washington Bothell | Bothell | Public | $12,092 | 78% | 18:1 | 82.7 |
| 5 | Western Washington University | Bellingham | Public | $8,073 | 72% | 19:1 | 79.8 |
| 6 | Central Washington University | Ellensburg | Public | $7,665 | 65% | 18:1 | 76.3 |
| 7 | Eastern Washington University | Cheney | Public | $7,786 | 58% | 21:1 | 73.1 |
| 8 | Pacific Lutheran University | Tacoma | Private | $49,200 | 76% | 12:1 | 71.9 |
| 9 | Gonzaga University | Spokane | Private | $50,950 | 88% | 11:1 | 70.4 |
| 10 | University of Puget Sound | Tacoma | Private | $58,370 | 79% | 10:1 | 68.8 |
| 11 | Whitworth University | Spokane | Private | $50,200 | 81% | 12:1 | 67.2 |
| 12 | Seattle Pacific University | Seattle | Private | $48,036 | 71% | 13:1 | 65.5 |
University of Washington
Seattle, WA • University
Program Highlights
- • Faculty include 3 Turing Award winners and 15 National Academy members
- • 12:1 research mentorship ratio in AI labs
- • 98% of AI graduates receive job offers before graduation
- • Average starting salary: $125,000 (20% above national average)
Program Strengths
- World-class AI research labs including GRAIL (Graphics and Imaging Lab) and NLP Group
- Direct industry partnerships with Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Research, and Allen Institute
- Strong placement rates: 95% job placement with median starting salaries of $125,000
- Access to cutting-edge research in machine learning, robotics, and computer vision
Why Ranked #1
The Paul Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering at UW ranks among the top 5 CS programs nationally, with particularly strong AI research. Faculty include Turing Award winners and leaders in machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision. The school maintains active partnerships with Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and the Allen Institute for AI.
Student Reviews
"The AI program at UW opened doors I never imagined. Working with Prof. Pedro Domingos on machine learning research and landing internships at both Amazon and Microsoft set up my entire career."
— 2024 Graduate, now ML Engineer at Amazon
Washington State University
Pullman, WA • University
Program Highlights
- • 85% job placement rate within 6 months of graduation
- • Average starting salary: $95,000
- • 15:1 student-faculty ratio in AI courses
- • Strong alumni network in Seattle tech companies
Program Strengths
- Focus on practical AI applications in agriculture, healthcare, and environmental science
- Strong industry connections with Pacific Northwest companies
- Growing research programs in data science and machine learning
- Excellent value with competitive job placement rates
Why Ranked #2
WSU's School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science has rapidly expanded its AI offerings, with particular strength in agricultural AI applications and data science. The program benefits from strong industry partnerships and a growing research portfolio in machine learning applications.
Student Reviews
"WSU's AI program gave me hands-on experience with real-world problems. The agricultural AI projects were fascinating and helped me land a data science role at a major tech company."
— 2023 Graduate, now Data Scientist at T-Mobile
Seattle University
Seattle, WA • University
Program Highlights
- • 79% graduation rate with strong industry placement
- • Close proximity to Seattle's tech corridor
- • Average starting salary: $88,000
- • Strong alumni network in Pacific Northwest
Program Strengths
- Small class sizes with 11:1 student-faculty ratio
- Strong emphasis on AI ethics and responsible development
- Active connections with Seattle startups and mid-size tech companies
- Personalized mentorship and research opportunities
Why Ranked #3
Seattle University's Computer Science program offers personalized attention with small class sizes and strong industry connections in the Seattle tech ecosystem. The program emphasizes ethical AI development and practical applications.
Student Reviews
"The personal attention at SeattleU was invaluable. Professors knew every student by name, and the AI ethics coursework prepared me for the real challenges in the field."
— 2024 Graduate, now AI Engineer at Zillow
Washington's University Systems for AI Education
Washington's public university system offers excellent value for AI education. The University of Washington system leads with three campuses, while the regional universities provide more affordable alternatives with growing AI programs.
The University of Washington system includes the flagship Seattle campus with world-class AI research, UW Bothell with growing tech programs, and UW Tacoma focusing on applied computing. Regional universities like Western Washington, Central Washington, and Eastern Washington offer smaller programs with lower costs and more personalized attention.
Private institutions like Seattle University, Gonzaga, and Pacific Lutheran provide small class sizes and strong industry connections, particularly valuable for students seeking mentorship and networking opportunities in AI fields.
Career Paths
AI/Machine Learning Engineer
SOC 15-1299.08Develop and deploy AI models for tech giants and startups. High demand in Seattle's tech corridor.
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Analyze complex datasets using AI and statistical methods. Strong demand across industries.
Software Engineer (AI Focus)
SOC 15-1252Build AI-powered applications and systems. Excellent opportunities at major tech companies.
Research Scientist
Conduct advanced AI research at tech companies, institutes, and universities.
AI Product Manager
Lead AI product development and strategy at technology companies.
AI Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Massachusetts
Florida
| Cost Factor | Public In-State | Public Out-of-State | Private |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Tuition | $10,500 | $38,200 | $49,800 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $84,000 | $195,000 | $240,000 |
| Average Class Size | 85 students | 85 students | 25 students |
| Research Opportunities | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Industry Connections | Excellent | Excellent | Very Good |
| Financial Aid | Good | Limited | Excellent |
Which Should You Choose?
- Access to world-class AI research at University of Washington
- Direct pipelines to Amazon, Microsoft, and Seattle tech scene
- Lower cost of education compared to California alternatives
- Strong job market with highest AI salaries outside California/New York
- Collaborative tech culture with work-life balance
- Proximity to AI innovation hubs and research institutes
- More diverse AI program options (California has 45+ programs)
- Warmer climate and different lifestyle preferences
- Specialized AI tracks in finance (New York) or aerospace (California)
- Lower cost of living (Texas, North Carolina)
- More startup ecosystem diversity (California, Texas)
Source: LinkedIn, Indeed job postings December 2025
Frequently Asked Questions About AI Programs in Washington
Related AI Education Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Official federal database for graduation rates, enrollment, and institutional data
Washington state salary data for AI and technology occupations
State-specific employment trends and workforce data
Faculty research impact, citations, and AI publication metrics
Taylor Rupe
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Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.