Washington Degree-granting Colleges

and Universities

State law requires that all degree-granting institutions operating in Washington obtain authorization from the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB), or be determined by the HECB to be exempt. If a college claims to operate in Washington but is not included in one of the following lists it might be a diploma mill. Read more about diploma mills.

Private career schools, which are licensed by the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board to offer diploma and certificate programs in Washington, are not included on this site. Go to: www.wtb.wa.gov to see a list of the licensed schools.

Authorized Institutions

More than 60 degree-granting institutions are authorized to operate in Washington. The HECB has authorized these institutions to operate in Washington. Authorization applies only to the specific programs, locations, or activities for which an institution has requested authorization. Institutions must renew their authorization every two years. See list >

Exempt Institutions

About 120 degree-granting institutions are exempt from authorization. These institutions include:

• Public colleges and universities

• Long-established independent or private colleges
  and universities

• Religious colleges and universities

In addition, two foreign degree-granting branch campuses are approved to offer a limited number of courses in Washington.

Public Four-year Colleges and Universities
The Degree-Granting Institutions Act exempts Washington's public four-year institutions. See list >

Public (Two-year) Community and Technical Colleges
The Degree-Granting Institutions Act exempts the public community and technical colleges in Washington. See list >

Continuously Exempt Institutions

These institutions have met the criteria as outlined in state law and rules for continuous exemption. The schools are exempt from state authorization and review as long as they continue to meet the criteria established for exemption. See list >

Religious Exempt Institutions

The HECB has granted a religious exemption from degree authorization to these institutions that offer degree programs or academic credit courses of a strictly religious nature. The exemption applies only to the specific programs, locations or activities for which the institutions requested exemption. Institutions must submit a report every two years to retain this exemption. See list >

Conditionally Exempt Institutions

The HECB has granted a conditional exemption from the degree authorization requirements to these institutions for the period of time they maintain the conditions of the exemption. These institutions offer degree programs or courses exclusively to federal employees and their dependents at a military base or other federal site. The HECB may review these exemptions every two years. See list >

Conditional Waiver Institutions

In rare circumstances, the HECB has grants a “conditional waiver” from degree authorization requirements to institutions with very limited educational offerings. The HECB may review these waivers every two years. See list >

Foreign Degree-granting Branch Campuses

The HECB has given approval to these foreign-based institutions to offer a limited number of courses in Washington. The HECB reviews these institutions every two years. See list >

Note: These lists are for reference only and do not constitute endorsement by the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

For more information, contact:
Degree Authorization staff
Phone: 360.753.7869