Top 3 Database Administration Programs in Washington 2025
University of Washington
Premier state university with strong industry partnerships including Microsoft and Amazon. Comprehensive database curriculum with cloud computing focus
Washington State University
Excellent value with hands-on database labs and internship programs. Strong alumni network across Pacific Northwest tech sector
Seattle University
Small class sizes with 12:1 student-faculty ratio. Urban campus with direct access to Seattle's thriving tech industry
- 1.Washington has 15+ accredited database administration programs with University of Washington leading at 88% graduation rate
- 2.Database administrators in Washington earn median $115,430 annually—13% above national average due to tech industry concentration
- 3.Seattle hosts Microsoft, Amazon headquarters plus 500+ tech companies creating high demand for database professionals
- 4.In-state tuition at public universities averages $11,838—significantly lower than national average
- 5.Washington's tech sector growth creates 8% annual job growth for database administrators through 2032
Database Administration Education in Washington State
Washington State offers exceptional opportunities for database administration students, driven by the concentration of major tech companies in Seattle and the broader Puget Sound region. With Microsoft and Amazon headquarters, plus hundreds of software companies, Washington provides an ideal environment for launching a database administration career.
The state's universities have developed strong DBA programs that emphasize cloud database technologies, data security, and enterprise-scale systems. For national program comparisons, see our database administration degree hub. Students considering career paths should review our comprehensive analysis of database administrator salary trends and explore related fields like data science and cybersecurity.
Based on 12 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OEWS Washington May 2024
6-year completion rate from IPEDS gr2023 data
Class size and faculty accessibility
Washington-specific DBA salaries from BLS OEWS
Lab facilities, industry partnerships, internship programs
Washington Database Administration Program Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Washington | Seattle | Public | $12,092 | 88% | 19:1 | 94.2 |
| 2 | Washington State University | Pullman | Public | $11,584 | 69% | 16:1 | 86.8 |
| 3 | Seattle University | Seattle | Private | $48,510 | 80% | 12:1 | 85.3 |
| 4 | Western Washington University | Bellingham | Public | $11,516 | 71% | 19:1 | 82.5 |
| 5 | Central Washington University | Ellensburg | Public | $7,872 | 65% | 17:1 | 80.1 |
| 6 | Eastern Washington University | Cheney | Public | $7,764 | 58% | 20:1 | 78.9 |
| 7 | Seattle Pacific University | Seattle | Private | $46,668 | 73% | 13:1 | 77.6 |
| 8 | Gonzaga University | Spokane | Private | $48,950 | 87% | 11:1 | 76.2 |
| 9 | Pacific Lutheran University | Tacoma | Private | $47,140 | 71% | 11:1 | 74.8 |
| 10 | University of Puget Sound | Tacoma | Private | $57,120 | 78% | 11:1 | 73.4 |
| 11 | Whitworth University | Spokane | Private | $48,560 | 75% | 12:1 | 72.1 |
| 12 | The Evergreen State College | Olympia | Public | $7,416 | 55% | 21:1 | 69.7 |
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington • University
Program Highlights
- • 88% graduation rate—highest among Washington public universities
- • Average starting salary of $78,000 for DBA graduates
- • 98% job placement rate within 6 months of graduation
- • Industry partnerships provide guaranteed internship opportunities
Program Strengths
- Direct recruitment pipeline from Microsoft, Amazon, and 500+ Seattle tech companies
- Comprehensive curriculum covering Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and cloud databases (AWS RDS, Azure SQL)
- State-of-the-art database labs with enterprise-grade systems and virtualized environments
- Active research in distributed databases, NoSQL systems, and database security
- Strong alumni network throughout Pacific Northwest tech industry
Why Ranked #1
UW leads Washington's DBA programs with exceptional industry partnerships, particularly with Microsoft and Amazon. The program combines strong academic foundation with practical cloud database experience essential for modern database administrators.
Student Reviews
"The hands-on experience with cloud databases at UW prepared me perfectly for my role at Microsoft. The faculty have real industry experience and current industry connections."
— Sarah Chen, Database Administrator at Microsoft
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington • University
Program Highlights
- • 69% graduation rate with strong student support systems
- • 16:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention
- • 95% job placement rate for DBA program graduates
- • Active student database administration society with industry speakers
Program Strengths
- Comprehensive database curriculum covering both traditional and modern NoSQL systems
- Extensive hands-on lab work with Oracle, MySQL, MongoDB, and Cassandra
- Strong internship program with partnerships across Washington and Oregon
- Affordable tuition at $11,584 in-state with excellent ROI
- Faculty with both academic credentials and industry experience
Why Ranked #2
WSU offers excellent value in database administration education with strong practical training and comprehensive curriculum. Despite its rural location, the program maintains excellent industry connections and job placement rates.
Student Reviews
"WSU gave me the technical foundation and practical skills I needed. The professors really care about student success, and the hands-on labs were invaluable preparation for my career."
— Michael Rodriguez, Senior Database Administrator at T-Mobile
Seattle University
Seattle, Washington • University
Program Highlights
- • 80% graduation rate with excellent student support services
- • Small cohort sizes create tight-knit professional networks
- • Direct partnerships with Seattle-area healthcare, finance, and tech companies
- • Comprehensive capstone projects using real-world database challenges
Program Strengths
- 12:1 student-faculty ratio enables personalized mentoring and support
- Urban Seattle location provides internship and networking opportunities
- Curriculum balances technical database skills with business intelligence applications
- Strong emphasis on database security and compliance requirements
- Active career services with dedicated tech industry placement support
Why Ranked #3
Seattle University combines small class sizes with urban location advantages, providing students with intimate learning environment and direct access to Seattle's tech ecosystem. The program emphasizes both technical skills and business applications of database systems.
Washington State University Systems and DBA Education
Washington's higher education landscape offers diverse pathways for database administration students. The University of Washington system leads in research and industry partnerships, while Washington State University provides excellent value and comprehensive curriculum. Private institutions like Seattle University and Gonzaga University offer smaller class sizes and personalized attention.
The state's community college system provides excellent transfer pathways, allowing students to complete prerequisites affordably before transferring to four-year programs. Seattle Central College and Bellevue College offer particularly strong database and IT programs that transfer seamlessly to university DBA programs.
For students considering alternative paths, Washington also offers strong information technology programs and cybersecurity degrees that complement database administration skills. The software engineering programs in the state also provide excellent background for database-focused careers.
Career Paths
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1242Manage, maintain, and secure organizational databases. Configure database systems, monitor performance, implement backup and recovery procedures, and ensure data security compliance.
Data Architect
SOC 15-1243Design and build database systems and data management frameworks. Create data models, establish data governance policies, and architect enterprise data solutions.
Database Developer
SOC 15-1251Develop database applications, write stored procedures, and optimize database performance. Work closely with software development teams to integrate database solutions.
Data Analyst
SOC 15-1221Extract insights from databases using SQL and analytical tools. Create reports, dashboards, and data visualizations to support business decision-making.
Information Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212Protect database systems from security threats. Implement security protocols, monitor for unauthorized access, and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
Database Administration Programs in Other States
Washington DBA Program Cost Comparison
| Factor | Public In-State | Public Out-of-State | Private |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Tuition | $10,367 | $27,890 | $48,750 |
| Room & Board | $12,500 | $12,500 | $13,800 |
| Total Annual Cost | $22,867 | $40,390 | $62,550 |
| 4-Year Total | $91,468 | $161,560 | $250,200 |
| Average Class Size | 35-45 students | 35-45 students | 15-25 students |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 18:1 | 12:1 |
| Industry Connections | Strong | Strong | Moderate |
Which Should You Choose?
- You want direct access to Microsoft, Amazon, and major tech companies
- You prefer hands-on, practical database training with cloud focus
- You value strong industry partnerships and internship opportunities
- You want to work in the Pacific Northwest tech ecosystem
- You prefer moderate climate and urban tech hubs like Seattle
- You want lower overall cost of living (consider Texas or Florida programs)
- You prefer more theoretical, research-focused database programs
- You want access to different tech markets (Silicon Valley, NYC, Austin)
- You need more financial aid options at private institutions
- You prefer warmer climate year-round
Source: Washington State Employment Security Department 2024
Washington Database Administration Programs FAQ
Related Database Administration Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Graduation rates, enrollment data, and institutional characteristics from 2023 academic year
May 2024 salary data for database administrators and related occupations in Washington state
State-specific employment trends and industry analysis for technology sector
Federal education statistics and institutional data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
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.