Top 3 Cloud Computing Programs in Washington 2025
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
319 Cloud Computing graduates annually, 97% graduation rate
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
97 Cloud Computing graduates annually, 92% graduation rate
Columbia Basin College
8 Cloud Computing graduates annually, 97% graduation rate
- 1.Washington has 15+ accredited cloud computing and related IT programs across public and private universities (IPEDS 2023)
- 2.University of Washington ranks #1 in Washington with 84% graduation rate and direct pipeline to Amazon and Microsoft cloud teams
- 3.Washington cloud engineers earn median $132,890 annually—highest in the Pacific Northwest (BLS Washington 2024)
- 4.Seattle is headquarters to Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, providing unmatched internship and career opportunities
- 5.Major employers include Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, Expedia, and 2,000+ tech startups in the greater Seattle area
Cloud Computing Education in Washington State
Washington state offers exceptional opportunities for cloud computing education, anchored by world-class programs at the University of Washington and supported by the state's position as a global cloud computing hub. Home to Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure headquarters, Washington provides unparalleled access to internships, mentorship, and career opportunities in cloud technologies.
Students benefit from direct industry partnerships, cutting-edge research facilities, and proximity to the companies that literally invented modern cloud computing. For comparison with programs nationwide, see our national cloud computing rankings. Career-focused students should review our cloud engineering salary guide and explore cloud certification pathways that complement degree programs.
Washington Cloud Computing Program Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | Public | $11,524 | 97% | — | 95.1 |
| 2 | University of Washington-Tacoma Campus | Tacoma, WA | Public | $11,524 | 92% | — | 65.5 |
| 3 | Columbia Basin College | Pasco, WA | Public | $5,514 | 97% | — | 59.6 |
| 4 | Renton Technical College | Renton, WA | Public | $4,673 | 65% | — | 52.7 |
| 5 | Yakima Valley College | Yakima, WA | Public | $4,623 | 55% | — | 50.3 |
| 6 | Olympic College | Bremerton, WA | Public | $4,197 | 85% | — | 49.7 |
| 7 | Central Washington University | Ellensburg, WA | Public | $7,021 | — | — | 48.7 |
| 8 | City University of Seattle | Seattle, WA | Private | $13,965 | — | — | 44.4 |
| 9 | Saint Martin's University | Lacey, WA | Private | $43,600 | — | — | 41.1 |
| 10 | Spokane Falls Community College | Spokane, WA | Public | $3,195 | — | — | 34.2 |
| 11 | Whatcom Community College | Bellingham, WA | Public | $3,633 | 78% | — | 34.1 |
Top 5 Cloud Computing Programs in Washington: Side-by-Side
| School | U of Washington | U of Washington-Tacoma | Columbia Basin College | Olympic College | Seattle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $11,524 | $11,524 | $5,514 | $4,197 | $53,235 |
| Graduation Rate | 97% | 92% | 97% | 85% | 92% |
| Annual Graduates | 319 | 97 | 8 | 13 | 9 |
| Acceptance Rate | 43% | 83% | N/A | N/A | 76% |
| Type | Public | Public | Public | Public | Private |
| Score | 95.1/100 | 68.8/100 | 59.6/100 | 58.3/100 | 53.5/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Cloud Computing in Washington
Washington offers 11 bachelor's-level cloud computing programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are University of Washington-Seattle Campus, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus, Columbia Basin College. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $101,661 in the Washington market.
A bachelor's in cloud computing typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Cloud Computing Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Cloud Computing Bachelor's Programs in Washington
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Washington | $11,524 | 97% | 319 | 95.1 |
| #2 U of Washington-Tacoma | $11,524 | 92% | 97 | 68.8 |
| #3 Columbia Basin College | $5,514 | 97% | 8 | 59.6 |
Top Cloud Computing Schools for Master's Degrees in Washington
For graduate study, Washington offers 4 master's-level cloud computing programs. Leading institutions include University of Washington-Seattle Campus, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus, Seattle University. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Washington reaching $188,799 or more.
Top 3 Cloud Computing Master's Programs in Washington
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Washington | $11,524 | 97% | 405 | 95.1 |
| #2 U of Washington-Tacoma | $11,524 | 92% | 49 | 58.4 |
| #3 Seattle | $53,235 | 92% | 9 | 53.5 |
Most Affordable Cloud Computing Colleges in Washington
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable cloud computing programs in Washington are at Spokane Falls Community College ($3,195/year), Whatcom Community College ($3,633/year), Olympic College ($4,197/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Washington's competitive tech salaries.
At Spokane Falls Community College, a 4-year degree costs approximately $12,780 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $101,661, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.2 years.
Most Affordable Cloud Computing Programs in Washington (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Spokane Falls Community... | $3,195 | $12,780 | 0.2 years | Public |
| #2 Whatcom Community College | $3,633 | $14,532 | 0.2 years | Public |
| #3 Olympic College | $4,197 | $16,788 | 0.3 years | Public |
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $11,524 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 97% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cloud Computing Graduates: 319 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 43%
- • Ranking Score: 95.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- 97% graduation rate
- 319 cloud computing graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 95.1 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (97%), program size (319 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,230), and selectivity (43% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
The University of Washington offers comprehensive computer science and engineering programs with multiple specialization tracks including cybersecurity, data science, and distributed systems. Students gain real-world experience through innovative partnerships with area companies, internships and funded research projects in modern facilities and labs.
Program Accreditations & Designations
Admissions
- Min GPA: 3.0
Available Specializations / Concentrations
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $11,524 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 92% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cloud Computing Graduates: 97 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 83%
- • Ranking Score: 68.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- 92% graduation rate
- 97 cloud computing graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 68.8 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (92%), program size (97 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,230), and selectivity (83% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
UW Tacoma's School of Engineering and Technology offers innovative partnerships with area companies, internships and funded research projects that give students real world experience. The program serves regional needs with multiple specialization tracks including cybersecurity, data science, and distributed systems.
Program Accreditations & Designations
Admission Prerequisites
- •45 college-level credits
- •minimum grade of 2.0 in each prerequisite course
Admissions
- Min GPA: 2.50 in all college math, science, computer science, and engineering course work
- Transfer Friendly
Career Outcomes
- Starting Salary: $95,000
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Columbia Basin College
Pasco, WA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $5,514 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 97% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cloud Computing Graduates: 8 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 59.6 / 100
Program Strengths
- 97% graduation rate
- 8 cloud computing graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 59.6 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (97%), program size (8 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,230), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Olympic College
Bremerton, WA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $4,197 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 85% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cloud Computing Graduates: 13 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 58.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- 85% graduation rate
- 13 cloud computing graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 58.3 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (85%), program size (13 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,230), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
Olympic College offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with hands-on projects that prepare students for high-demand careers in AI, cybersecurity, and software engineering, taught in small class sizes where faculty know students by name. Students can earn their associate degree at Olympic College and transition seamlessly into the Bachelor's program without leaving Kitsap County.
Admissions
- Transfer Friendly
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Seattle University
Seattle, WA • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $53,235 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 92% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cloud Computing Graduates: 9 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 76%
- • Ranking Score: 53.5 / 100
Program Strengths
- 92% graduation rate
- 9 cloud computing graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 53.5 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (92%), program size (9 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,230), and selectivity (76% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
Seattle University's Computer Science program offers evening courses with full- and part-time enrollment options for flexibility, strong connections to Seattle's leading tech employers, and hands-on learning through industry-led projects that tackle real-world problems with top organizations.
Program Details
- Credits: 45-49, depending on specialization
Career Outcomes
- Job Placement: most MSCS graduates are employed within six months of graduation (2017–2020)
- Top Employers: Amazon, Microsoft, Google, F5 Networks
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Career Paths
Cloud Solutions Architect
SOC 15-1299Design and implement enterprise cloud infrastructure and migration strategies
DevOps Engineer
SOC 15-1252Automate deployment pipelines and manage cloud infrastructure operations
Cloud Security Engineer
SOC 15-1212Implement security controls and compliance frameworks for cloud environments
Site Reliability Engineer
SOC 15-1251Ensure high availability and performance of cloud-based systems and services
Cloud Data Engineer
SOC 15-1243Build and maintain data pipelines and analytics platforms in cloud environments
Washington State University Systems and Cloud Computing
Washington's public university system provides excellent access to cloud computing education across multiple campuses. The University of Washington system leads with campuses in Seattle, Tacoma, and Bothell, each offering computing programs with cloud specializations.
The University of Washington Seattle campus hosts the flagship computer science program with deep industry connections to Amazon and Microsoft. UW Tacoma offers a more intimate learning environment while maintaining strong ties to the Puget Sound tech ecosystem.
Washington State University provides affordable, high-quality education with growing cloud computing initiatives. Regional universities like Western Washington University and Central Washington University offer solid foundational programs, particularly valuable for students seeking smaller class sizes and lower costs.
Private institutions including Seattle University and Pacific Lutheran University provide personalized education with strong industry connections. These schools often maintain smaller program sizes but offer excellent mentorship opportunities and career placement support.
Other Tech Degree Programs in Washington
Cloud Computing Programs by State
California
Texas
Virginia
Georgia
Washington
Which Should You Choose?
- Direct access to Amazon and Microsoft for internships and careers
- High starting salaries ($95K+) and excellent job market
- Hands-on experience with cutting-edge cloud technologies
- Strong alumni networks in major tech companies
- Beautiful Pacific Northwest environment and outdoor recreation
- Prefer warmer weather year-round
- Want more affordable cost of living
- Seek more diverse tech industry beyond cloud computing
- Need more financial aid options for private schools
- Want exposure to different tech ecosystems (Silicon Valley, Austin, etc.)
Frequently Asked Questions About Washington Cloud Computing Programs
Based on 12 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Cloud Computing degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 (4-year institutions weighted higher)
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
State-specific cloud computing salaries from BLS OES 2024
Related Cloud Computing Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Graduation rates, enrollment data, and institutional characteristics
State-specific salary data for cloud computing and related occupations
Tech industry employment data and economic development statistics
Program availability, tuition costs, and admission requirements
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.