Top 3 Database Administration Programs in Washington 2025
Bellevue College
116 Database Administration graduates annually, 96% graduation rate
City University of Seattle
1 Database Administration graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
- 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 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.
Washington Database Administration Program Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellevue College | Bellevue, WA | Public | $4,074 | 96% | — | 83.2 |
| 2 | City University of Seattle | Seattle, WA | Private | $13,965 | — | — | 45.7 |
Top 5 Database Administration Programs in Washington: Side-by-Side
| School | U of Washington | Bellevue College | Seattle | City University of Seattle | Seattle Pacific |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $11,524 | $4,074 | $53,235 | $13,965 | $37,965 |
| Graduation Rate | 97% | 96% | 92% | N/A% | N/A% |
| Annual Graduates | 272 | 116 | 9 | 1 | 15 |
| Acceptance Rate | 43% | N/A | 76% | N/A | 91% |
| Type | Public | Public | Private | Private | Private |
| Score | 95.1/100 | 80.5/100 | 54.0/100 | 44.5/100 | 42.4/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Database Administration in Washington
Washington offers 2 bachelor's-level database administration programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Bellevue College, City University of Seattle. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $101,661 in the Washington market.
A bachelor's in database administration typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Database Administration Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Database Administration Bachelor's Programs in Washington
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Bellevue College | $4,074 | 96% | 116 | 80.5 |
| #2 City University of Seattle | $13,965 | N/A% | 1 | 44.5 |
Top Database Administration Schools for Master's Degrees in Washington
For graduate study, Washington offers 3 master's-level database administration programs. Leading institutions include University of Washington-Seattle Campus, Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Washington reaching $188,799 or more.
Top 3 Database Administration Master's Programs in Washington
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Washington | $11,524 | 97% | 272 | 95.1 |
| #2 Seattle | $53,235 | 92% | 9 | 54.0 |
| #3 Seattle Pacific | $37,965 | N/A% | 15 | 42.4 |
Most Affordable Database Administration Colleges in Washington
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable database administration programs in Washington are at Bellevue College ($4,074/year), University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($11,524/year), City University of Seattle ($13,965/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Washington's competitive tech salaries.
At Bellevue College, a 4-year degree costs approximately $16,296 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $101,661, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.2 years.
Most Affordable Database Administration Programs in Washington (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Bellevue College | $4,074 | $16,296 | 0.2 years | Public |
| #2 U of Washington | $11,524 | $46,096 | 0.7 years | Public |
| #3 City University of Seattle | $13,965 | $55,860 | 0.8 years | Private |
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $11,524 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 97% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 272 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 43%
- • Ranking Score: 95.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- 97% graduation rate
- 272 database administration graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 95.1 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (97%), program size (272 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,230), and selectivity (43% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $4,074 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 96% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 116 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 80.5 / 100
Program Strengths
- 96% graduation rate
- 116 database administration graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 80.5 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (96%), program size (116 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,230), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
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.
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.
Other Tech Degree Programs in Washington
Database Administration Programs in Other States
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
Washington Database Administration Programs FAQ
Based on 12 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Database Administration 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 database administration salaries from BLS OES 2024
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
Source: Washington State Employment Security Department 2024
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.