Students seeking out excellent schools in the Northwestern United States would do very well to peruse this list of Hidden Gems. These colleges and universities offer magnificent and highly supportive undergraduate and graduate programs instructed by esteemed faculty members. Not only that, but the campuses provide exciting experiences and activities, both academic and otherwise, that make every student’s educational adventure the absolute time of their lives!
These Hidden Gems of the Northwest were selected with great scrutiny by the OnlineSchoolsCenter.com’s researcher/writers. Each school underwent a series of qualifications that led to its position in the catalog. Methodology is critically important to any list or ranking because it indicates the quality of the institution itself and clearly delineates the reasons why each school has been chosen. The criteria involved for this list of superb colleges and universities including the following:
- A small annual enrollment,
- Programs that are instructed by experienced and qualified faculty and staff,
- Outstanding percentage rates for retention, graduation, and job placement of students and graduates,
- A long history of education that exemplifies the zenith of academic excellence,
- Positive student and alumni reviews, as well as those from reputed journalistic resources,
- An excellent selection of academic programs with attention toward undergraduate degrees,
- A thriving environment with exciting opportunities for students inside and outside the classroom,
- Proper regional and programmatic accreditation.
See our Methodology page for more information.
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA SOUTHEAST
JUNEAU, ALASKA
The University of Alaska Southeast is a part of the University of Alaska System that has a small enrollment, three beautiful campuses, and high-quality academic programs that meet any student’s personal goals. There are particularly strong degrees in biology, marine biology, maritime training, and outdoor studies. However, some of the most popular majors include those in the Business and Criminal Justice disciplines. Students can exercise exciting chances to travel to one of more than 50 countries and 300 partner universities where they live and study, not just for a semester, but an entire year!
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
While operating its main campus in Juneau, the University of Alaska Southeast maintains two additional campuses in Ketchikan and Sitka. All three locations provide their own unique and exciting educational opportunities that align well with specific goals. The Ketchikan campus, for example, gives students access to the UAS Maritime Training Center and at Sitka there are top-quality degrees in fisheries, construction, and nursing. This outstanding school has opportunities for all, from the traditional college experience to a wild and personalized real-world adventure. All three campuses lie within the majestic Alaskan Inside Passage, which is an incredibly diverse region of islands, ice fields, coastal mountains, and fjords, that supply a living laboratory for both science and liberal arts majors.
Total Enrollment: 644
Most Popular Majors:
- Business
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
- Police and Criminal Science
Acceptance Rate: 63% Retention Rate: 74% Graduation Rate: 25% Job Placement Rate: 82% (2 years after graduation)
LEARN MORE ABOUT ALASKA’S HIDDEN GEM: THE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA SOUTHEAST
ALASKA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
Alaska Pacific University may have a small annual student body, but its educational opportunities are unprecedented! This excellent university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as those in professional studies, early honors, and non-degree areas. One of its most distinctive opportunities is the Alaska Native Executive Leadership Program which is a certificate offered in collaboration with five corporations throughout the state. The curricula are organized through institutes, or values, that honor indigenous heritage, enhance community engagement, and serve Alaska’s people and communities.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
With an enrollment of 216 students, Alaska Pacific University is one of the smallest institutions of higher education in the United States. It is an excellent school with well-defined values that honor the state’s indigenous heritage. APU provides culturally responsible, world-class, hands-on degree programs that are offered in collaboration with the community and Tribal partners. The student-to-faculty ratio is 7:1 and students have unmatched opportunities to work closely with their professors in classes and collaborative research projects. While it most definitely maintains a history of Alaskan Natives, it was founded in 1960 as the Alaska Methodist University and maintains its affiliation with the United Methodist Church to this day.
Total Enrollment: 216
Most Popular Majors:
- Business
- Counseling Psychology
- Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies
Acceptance Rate: 84% Retention Rate: 65% Graduation Rate: 20% Job Placement Rate: 91% (2 years after graduation)
LEARN MORE ABOUT ALASKA’S HIDDEN GEM: ALASKA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
ALASKA CAREER COLLEGE
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
Hidden among traditional colleges and universities geared toward degrees in science and liberal arts is the magnificent Alaska Career College. This phenomenal trade school provides well-designed programs for students pursuing certificate-based career paths, such as massage therapists, phlebotomy technicians, and aircraft dispatchers. ACC is a two-year institution with a total of eight programs in a wide variety of areas, each of which provides an incredibly solid foundation in both knowledge and skill. Alaska Career College puts particular emphasis on the small classroom setting where students learn and grow in their profession under close mentorship and supervision of ACC faculty members.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Alaska Career College is an excellent choice for students who are having trouble finding a college that suits their needs. As a small, student-focused school, it provides enormous support throughout an individual’s entire career, both academic and professional. Coursework is flexible and challenging and is instructed by fabulous faculty and staff. There are daytime classes as well as those in the evening and online. ACC offers a level of comfort, encouragement, and support in its academic environment that is absolutely unmatched at any other school in the state. It is also highly affordable compared to most other Alaskan colleges and provides financial aid to nearly 80% of the student body.
Total Enrollment: 415
Most Popular Majors:
- Massage Therapy and Bodywork
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Insurance Coding
Acceptance Rate: 100% Retention Rate: 72% Graduation Rate: 75% Job Placement Rate: 78% (2 years after graduation)
LEARN MORE ABOUT ALASKA’S HIDDEN GEM: THE ALASKA CAREER COLLEGE
IḶISAĠVIK COLLEGE
BARROW, ALASKA
This school is truly one-of-a-kind. Its equal can be found nowhere else. Students at Iḷisaġvik College engage in a wide variety of degree programs, including those in Adult Education, Accounting, Business Management, Construction Technology, and more! IC was originally founded for residents of the North Slope Borough. Students living in this area receive a tuition waiver from one of six sources and attend school at no cost. There are awards available for native students who live off-slope, as well. While the school is incredibly small, with a total enrollment of only eighty-four students, the amount of rich educational and extracurricular experiences are enormous.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Any reader would be incredibly hard-pressed to find a college or university that provides the same educational experience, programmatic diversity, and commitment to cultural heritage. Iḷisaġvik College was established in the North Slope Borough, the country’s most northern municipality, to provide an education emphasizing the cultural heritage of the Iñupiaq peoples. This school is a direct result of the efforts and determination of Native American Tribes to change their lives and maintain a close connection to their history. The campus provides an immersive experience in Iñupiaq traditions, language, and influence while also offering excellent training in stable career paths.
Total Enrollment: 84
Most Popular Majors:
- Dental Hygiene
- General Construction
- Public Health
Acceptance Rate: 100% Retention Rate: % Graduation Rate: 54% Job Placement Rate: –%
LEARN MORE ABOUT ALASKA’S HIDDEN GEM: IḶISAĠVIK COLLEGE
NORTHWEST NAZARENE UNIVERSITY
NAMPA, IDAHO
Northwest Nazarene University was at first founded as a secondary school in 1915. It wasn’t until 1937 that it transitioned to higher education and began providing its first four-year degrees. Another thirty years later and NNU had added master’s programs, which further marked its successful history as a prestigious Northwestern academic institution. Today, there are over eighty bachelors, eighteen masters, two doctorates, and exciting opportunities for high school students through the concurrent credit program. Students take advantage of excellent on-campus and online coursework, as well as a separate campus in Idaho Falls. There are also study abroad opportunities established with partner colleges and universities in thirty-five different countries.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa offers one of the most fabulous locations for any college campus in the country. Students have easy access to the bustling metropolis of Boise and all that it provides, as well as exquisite outdoor recreational sites, state-of-the-art research laboratories, on-site shooting with the NNU Film School, jazz concerts at local venues, and so much more. While the total enrollment below indicates a small number of on-campus students, nearly 8,000 additional students take individual classes online or in continuing education courses. NNU students are part of a faith-based educational community at one of the only prestigious schools affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene.
Total Enrollment: 2,058
Most Popular Majors:
- Business
- Elementary Education
- Nursing
Acceptance Rate: 71% Retention Rate: 76% Graduation Rate: 52% Job Placement Rate: 93% (2 years after graduation)
LEARN MORE ABOUT IDAHO’S HIDDEN GEM: NORTHWEST NAZARENE UNIVERSITY
LEWIS-CLARK STATE COLLEGE
LEWISTON, IDAHO
Lewis-Clark State College exists on the convergence of two rivers, two cities, and two states. The Clearwater and Snake Rivers meet where Clarkston meets Lewiston and Washington meets Idaho. It is also the site where the Nez Perce Tribe met the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery. The school was established in 1893 and, today, it provides top-quality liberal arts and science degrees, technical education pathways, and community programs. There are over 130 different degrees and certificates ranging a massive variety of subjects in seven academic divisions. Nine programs are available entirely online, as are 372 individual courses. LCSC has the lowest tuition of any four-year public institutions in the entire state.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
This Northwestern Hidden Gem is one of the most historical schools in the nation founded by America’s most renowned explorers. Students walk in the literal footsteps of national treasures. Lewis-Clark State College is situated on a stunning campus with access to both city-based and environmental resources. According to past and present students, the atmosphere is very academic and non-party-focused, where diligent individuals are there to learn and succeed. Enrollees and alumni have only the most glowing recommendations for their alma mater, where they say that students could not possibly find better professors in a more highly interactive academic environment.
Total Enrollment: 2,209
Most Popular Majors:
- Business
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
- Nursing
Acceptance Rate: 100% Retention Rate: 60% Graduation Rate: 29% Job Placement Rate: 89% (2 years after graduation)
LEARN MORE ABOUT IDAHO’S HIDDEN GEM: LEWIS-CLARK STATE COLLEGE
THE COLLEGE OF IDAHO
CALDWELL, IDAHO
The College of Idaho is a small yet highly diverse school where 18% of the student body hail from eighty-eight different countries, and 30% are Hispanic, Asian-American, African-American, Native American, or multi-ethnic. The academics provide twenty-six majors and fifty-eight minors that range a wide breadth of options. Each degree utilizes a distinctive approach called the PEAK Curriculum, which stands for professional, ethical, articulate, and knowledgeable. This strategy is unique to The College of Idaho and emphasizes four crucial areas: natural science, social science, humanities, and a professional field. It allows students to design their own pathways through which they can follow a personalized educational plan.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Students attending school and living on this campus are entirely surrounded by the serene beauty of nature. Located in the Treasure Valley and situated thirty miles from Boise, this area offers thrilling outdoor sports and recreational opportunities such as fishing, rafting, skiing, snowboarding, and hiking, as well as opportunities to see professional hockey and basketball games. The College of Idaho and its location are, therefore, an excellent choice for any student. It provides a quiet, yet exciting, educational environment in Caldwell, the center of Idaho wine country, with well-established opportunities in the big city, also!
Total Enrollment: 1,100
Most Popular Majors:
- Business
- Health Service Preparatory Studies
- Psychology
Acceptance Rate: 49% Retention Rate: 76% Graduation Rate: 57% Job Placement Rate: 93% (2 years after graduation)
LEARN MORE ABOUT IDAHO’S HIDDEN GEM: THE COLLEGE OF IDAHO
COLLEGE OF EASTERN IDAHO
IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO
The College of Eastern Idaho is the state’s newest two-year educational institution. Founded in 1969, it offers high-quality liberal arts, science, and technical-based associate’s degrees, as well as excellent workforce training courses and continuing education certificates. There are also magnificent Fire Service and Nursing programs available. High school students can enter into Eastern Idaho’s Early College Programs, wherein they not only satisfy requirements for secondary school, but they earn transferrable college credits, as well. CEI was founded initially as the Eastern Idaho Technical College but has since transitioned to provide a more comprehensive approach.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Programs and courses at the College of Eastern Idaho are not only challenging, knowledge-enhancing, and extremely fulfilling, they are also super flexible and highly affordable. Here, all individuals—in-county, out-of-county, and out-of-state residents, alike—pay less than $260 per credit hour. The coursework is offered at both standard and accelerated rates, and CEI provides a generous amount of time for students to design personalized schedules, add and drop courses, and enroll in all of their number one classes each semester. Faculty, staff, and administrators work diligently to ensure everyone has an outstanding educational experience at the College of Eastern Idaho.
Total Enrollment: 479
Most Popular Majors:
- Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
- Licensed Practical Nurse Training (LPN)
- Nursing
Acceptance Rate: 100% Retention Rate: 73% Graduation Rate: 54% Job Placement Rate: 82% (2 years after graduation)
LEARN MORE ABOUT IDAHO’S HIDDEN GEM: THE COLLEGE OF EASTERN IDAHO
ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE
BILLINGS, MONTANA
This school is Montana’s oldest institution of higher education and was founded in 1878, not long after a significant political and economic upheaval in the United States. Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, The United Church of Christ, and the Presbyterian Church, Rocky Mountain College is committed to the pursuit of academic knowledge and religious tolerance. The curricula provide a wide variety of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree options. Some exciting choices include the Bachelor’s in Aviation or Equestrian Studies and the Master of Physician Assistant Studies. Classes are offered on-campus, online, and in a hybrid format.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
RMC is home to incredibly compassionate faculty, staff, administrators, and students. There are numerous opportunities for those enrolled at RMC to work with professors and the community during peaceful intercultural involvement. The Native American Outreach Program, for example, is a fabulously successful effort to connect students with indigenous peoples and tribes in Billings and throughout the surrounding state of Montana to nurture collaboration, empowerment, and engagement. The Institute of Peace Studies is another fine example of the lengths at which this school goes to unite its students with the real-world in a deeply caring way. The Rocky Mountain campus is stunningly serene and “park-like” and reflects the very nature of its opportunities and inhabitants.
Total Enrollment: 867
Most Popular Majors:
- Biology
- Business
- Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Acceptance Rate: 58% Retention Rate: 67% Graduation Rate: 48% Job Placement Rate: 95% (6 months after graduation)
LEARN MORE ABOUT MONTANA’S HIDDEN GEM: ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE
CARROLL COLLEGE
HELENA, MONTANA
Founded by the Catholic Diocese of Helena, Carroll College provides esteemed academic programs rooted in its history as a Christian educational institution. Students at Carroll take advantage of state-of-the-art facilities, laboratories, and academic buildings that nurture an outstanding education replete with experiential learning activities. Many of its most popular programs are those in the Health Professions Department, which supplies six pre-professional programs in Dentistry, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, and Physician’s Assistant, as well as a prestigious (and popular) Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Carroll College emphasizes global learning for all and supplies multiple opportunities to study abroad through personalized programs and internships.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
On its sixty-three acres and in its twenty-one academic, administrative, and residential buildings, Carroll College provides an unparalleled educational experience in the Northwestern United States. The environment is a tight-knit academic community where students and professors work and live together on a beautiful campus. Innumerable outdoor adventures await the Carroll student, not only in recreation, but in class and major work, as well. Within 30 minutes of the school are opportunities to ski, raft, hike, camp, golf, and more! The surrounding area is, itself, a massive living laboratory for science and liberal arts majors and a second home from which students can barely tear themselves away for Christmas vacation.
Total Enrollment: 1,195
Most Popular Majors:
- Biology
- Nursing
- Rehabilitation and Therapy
Acceptance Rate: 78% Retention Rate: 81% Graduation Rate: 66% Job Placement Rate: –%
LEARN MORE ABOUT MONTANA’S HIDDEN GEM: CARROLL COLLEGE
MONTANA TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
BUTTE, MONTANA
Originally instituted as the Montana School of Mines, Montana Technological University provides outstanding STEM programs, especially those in engineering and engineering-related disciplines. However, Montana Tech provides much more than far-above-average technological programs and is composed of multiple counterparts, including the College of Letters, Sciences, and Professional Studies, Highlands College, the School of Mines and Engineering, and the Graduate School. The departments combined offer nearly sixty distinctive degrees and certificates in a wide variety of STEM-focused areas. Some of its most fascinating programs that are offered at very few other institutions of higher education include the Master in Ecological Restoration and the Master in Industrial Hygiene.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Montana Tech has a history that traces back to when the Federal Government granted statehood to the Montana territory. That grant included the setting aside of 100,000 acres of land specifically designated for the School of Mines. It has spent the last nearly century-and-a-quarter developing internationally recognized undergraduate and post-graduate degree programs. The campus life at this historical school is absolutely thrilling, and students engage in thousands of events during the entire year. Many of these take place throughout the six mountain ranges, five rivers, two national parks, five hot springs, and eight ski areas surrounding Montana Tech. This institution truly provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity!
Total Enrollment: 1,457
Most Popular Majors:
- Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mining and Petroleum Engineering
Acceptance Rate: 92% Retention Rate: 76% Graduation Rate: 52% Job Placement Rate: 93% (6 months after graduation)
LEARN MORE ABOUT MONTANA’S HIDDEN GEM: MONTANA TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
FLATHEAD VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
KALISPELL, MONTANA
Flathead Valley Community College is an excellent little two-year institution in Northwestern Montana with a wide variety of academic programs. Among its many Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees, Certificates, Certificates of Applied Science, and Licensure/Certification Training programs, some of the most interesting and popular are those in the Agriculture & Natural Resources Department and the Occupational Trades, such as Brewing Sciences & Brewery Operations and Firearms Technologies. There are also well-respected AA’s and AS’s in Business, Technology, and the Liberal Arts that give FVCC graduates a strong foundation upon which they can either start their professional careers or transfer to a prestigious four-year institution.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
When a study by the local school board in 1959 found that only 20% of the local high school graduates were going on to attend college, five outstanding residents of the Flathead Valley worked together to establish this community college merely seven years later. As of 2020, it provides superb degree and certificate programs to many students outside its original focus area. Nestled among the pines in Kalispell, Flathead Valley Community College is the gateway to Glacier National Park. The campus is bordered by the Flathead, Whitefish, Smoky, Lewis, and Hog Heaven Mountain Ranges. Needless to say, FVCC students couldn’t ask for a more extraordinary or eco and biologically diverse area in which to broaden their horizons.
Total Enrollment: 848
Most Popular Majors:
- Culinary Arts and Food Service
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
- Nursing
Acceptance Rate: 100% Retention Rate: 63% Graduation Rate: 28% Job Placement Rate: %
LEARN MORE ABOUT MONTANA’S HIDDEN GEM: FLATHEAD VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY
salem, OREGON
Following a trend of the country’s Hidden Gems, Willamette University is a profoundly historical university dating back to the pre-Civil War era United States of America. Currently, it shares its location and maintains a very successful exchange program with Tokyo International University in America. Willamette operates a College of Arts & Sciences with almost fifty different undergraduate programs, an esteemed College of Law, and the Atkinson Graduate School of Management. An excellent quality among many includes the 305-acre property located within the Zena forest, one of the area’s largest remaining contiguous swaths of forestland that creates an astoundingly diverse space for research projects, clubs, and recreational activities.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Willamette University (pronounced Will-am-ette) is the first university established in the West and has a more than 175-year history of academic excellence. Its success as an educational institution is clearly demonstrated through the exemplary retention, graduation, and job placement rates listed below. In recognition of the school motto, “Not unto ourselves alone are we born,” Willamette University is a highly collaborative environment where students establish invaluable academic partnerships with fellow students, those of varying majors, and professors. Located in the Oregon state capitol and a forty-five-minute drive from Portland, one of the country’s most significant cultural hubs, students have educational, recreational, and professional opportunities that dwarf those of many other college students throughout the Northwest.
Total Enrollment: 2,827
Most Popular Majors:
- Biology
- Economics
- Political Science and Government
Acceptance Rate: 84% Retention Rate: 85% Graduation Rate: 77% Job Placement Rate: 91%
LEARN MORE ABOUT OREGON’S HIDDEN GEM: WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY
EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY
LA GRANDE, OREGON
Eastern Oregon University not only has a wonderful and thriving physical campus replete with outdoor programs, a bustling residence life, and exciting clubs, performing arts groups, and athletics, it also maintains an outstanding virtual campus. There are over fifty on-campus programs, including associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, as well as distinguished partnership programs with other prestigious schools in the state, such as the Oregon Health and Sciences University and Oregon State University. There are over twenty online degree programs that offer tremendous flexibility and can be personalized to meet any academic and professional needs.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Rated one of the best online schools in the state with the most excellent value, Eastern Oregon University supplies a motivated environment that is both physical and virtual. The campus is situated only four blocks away from lovely downtown La Grande, which is numbered with farmer’s markets, restaurants, theaters, shops, outdoor activities, and more. EOU provides one-of-a-kind educational experiences. Some students, for example, participate in the Eastern Edge Experience, during which students take part in an unforgettable hands-on program through academics at Oregon’s Rural University. Others, such as Anthropology majors, cross the world to the country of Croatia to participate in the excavation of ancient cave dwellings.
Total Enrollment: 1,689
Most Popular Majors:
- Business
- Education
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
Acceptance Rate: 98% Retention Rate: 68% Graduation Rate: 29% Job Placement Rate: 84% (2 years after graduation)
LEARN MORE ABOUT OREGON’S HIDDEN GEM: EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY
LINFIELD UNIVERSITY
MCMINNVILLE, OREGON
Linfield University was established as a Baptist College and secondary school in McMinnville in 1858. Today, it has two campuses: one in McMinnville and one in Portland. Linfield offers fifty-six distinctive majors, each of which provides small class sizes and a student-to-teacher ratio of about 11:1. The university has degrees available at either of the two campuses, as well as online. It operates a particularly strong nursing program that is known throughout the United States for its excellence. All of the programs have exciting opportunities to travel the world through study abroad, extraordinary internships, and degree programs that are truly off the beaten path.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Linfield University is highly decorated in acknowledgments for its magnificent achievements as a premier higher education institution. It supports the most impressive Job Placement Rate in the state at 92% employed in only six months. The McMinnville campus is a vibrant and boisterous atmosphere of young learners where there is an active Greek Life and a huge array of events scheduled throughout the year. The Portland campus is located in the city’s historic Pearl District, with abundant access to terrific food, fun boutiques, cafes, coffee shops, massage clinics, bookstores, workshops of all kinds, and much, much more. Any Linfield University location provides an unmatched college experience.
Total Enrollment: 1,334
Most Popular Majors:
- Biology
- Kinesiology and Exercise Science
- Biology
Acceptance Rate: 81% Retention Rate: 82% Graduation Rate: 70% Job Placement Rate: 92% (6 months after graduation)
LEARN MORE ABOUT OREGON’S HIDDEN GEM: LINFIELD UNIVERSITY
PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
FOREST GROVE, OREGON
Pacific University in Oregon supplies a staggering amount of academic programs. Its array includes thirteen pre-professional degrees, fifteen master’s, over fifty bachelor’s, numerous doctorates, and continuing education programs. The Pacific Pathway emphasizes what the school calls a “Future Focus” and is deeply committed to student success post-graduation. That said, students take advantage of an incredibly impressive Job Placement Rate just six months after graduation. There are incredibly well-established avenues for undergrads interested in graduate coursework that create a smooth and flexible transition to the next level of education. For all students, Pacific University has a four-year graduation guarantee that ensures all students, despite their setbacks (failed class, insufficient credits, etc.), will finish their degrees on time.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
When it comes to a lively college experience, Pacific University provides superb opportunities. The academic calendar includes regular trips and retreats, and students can rent outdoor gear for any adventure whenever they find the time. The Voyage Experience takes pre-orientation first-year students on a five-day journey that nurtures teamwork, builds friendships, and introduces incoming students to the exciting life that is their academic career at PU. The campus has exquisite dining services, including the Pacific Café, that only uses the freshest ingredients for its five-star menu. The student body is highly diverse, and, as a result, there are a vast number of student clubs and organizations that celebrate the myriad cultures that exist on campus.
Total Enrollment: 1,809
Most Popular Majors:
- Biology
- Business
- Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Acceptance Rate: 85% Retention Rate: 78% Graduation Rate: 58% Job Placement Rate: 83% (6 months after graduation)
LEARN MORE ABOUT OREGON’S HIDDEN GEM: PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
ELLENSBURG, WASHINGTON
The lengths at which Central Washington University is committed to providing a hands-on discovery and learning experience is unprecedented. The largest school on the Hidden Gems of the Northwest, this institution has a further reach than most with long-lasting partnerships at thirty different colleges and universities worldwide. The School of Graduates Studies and Research, in particular, has been recognized for its numerous excellent master’s degrees, of which there are thirty-two that range fascinating subjects and focus areas, including ten that can be completed entirely online. There are over 135 bachelor’s degrees in five undergraduate schools—Colleges of Arts and Humanities, Business, Education and Professional Studies, and Sciences, as well as the School of Education—that offer huge potential for any major.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
While the enrollment at Central Washington University is comparatively high, the student-to-teacher ratio is only 19:1, and class sizes are relatively small. This gives the campus the feel of a more intimate educational environment with all of the resources of a large school! All students learn from renowned, award-winning faculty members who are steeped in research and practice, and who take students beyond the classroom and into the real-world. Biology majors, for example, traverse the Snoqualmie Pass to tag bull trout, and music majors perform in the Monterey Jazz Festival! CWU is hyper-focused on the health and success of its students and supplies innumerable resources for recreation and fun, academics, and student invoe
Total Enrollment: 10,040
Most Popular Majors:
- Business
- Elementary Education
- Psychology
Acceptance Rate: 78% Retention Rate: 69% Graduation Rate: 65% Job Placement Rate: 93% (2 years after graduation)
LEARN MORE ABOUT WASHINGTON’S HIDDEN GEM: CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
WHITMAN COLLEGE
walla walla, washington
One feature of this Northwestern Hidden Gem that very much stands out against others is its exemplary graduation rate of nearly 90% (not to mention its 93% retention rate), which is about fifty percentage points higher than even the above average American college or university. Whitman College, initially founded as a seminary in 1859, is now a small liberal arts residential college with a strong tradition of rigorous academics. Its degree programs are absolutely impeccable and its students report an extremely high level of satisfaction with their education. Adventurous students have the chance to study in one of eighty-five off-campus programs that take place in forty-five countries, and those who prefer to stay closer to home learn in small classes with a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Students at Whitman have unmatched access to professors. According to reputable resources like The Princeton Review, this school is well-known for such dedication to student-teacher interaction. The campus is a bubble-like community that attracts a wide variety of scholars and researchers who are passionate, motivated, and massively intelligent. In support of these brilliant academics, Whitman is one of the only schools among the Hidden Gems to offer paid internships and fellowships. Other unique and exciting opportunities include the annual Outdoor Program Trip, which is a life-changing experience for a mere $150. There are also seventeen varsity, ten intramural, and seven club sports, as well as more than sixty organizations and clubs.
Total Enrollment: 1,436
Most Popular Majors:
- Biology
- Economics
- Political Science and Government
Acceptance Rate: 50% Retention Rate: 93% Graduation Rate: 89% Job Placement Rate: 86% (2 years after graduation)
LEARN MORE ABOUT WASHINGTON’S HIDDEN GEM: WHITMAN COLLEGE
UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND
TACOMA, WASHINGTON
The University of Puget Sound has been educating students for more than 130 years and was founded in 1888 by the United Methodist Church. The administration supports about 2,400 undergrads and 200 graduate students. This school is one-of-a-kind in Western Washington, where it is the only liberal arts institution in the region. UPS is also the only university in the Pacific Northwest with a School of Business and Leadership and a School of Music. There are 50+ bachelor’s and master’s programs, as well as 1,200 individual courses offered each year, and the coursework is instructed by faculty of whom 100% are tenured professors with doctoral degrees in their area of expertise.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
This ninety-seven-acre campus in Tacoma, Washington, is a short drive or bus ride to Seattle and maintains strong global partnerships with many connections in the Pacific Rim, for example. The surrounding area has been named one of the best places to live in the Northwest by Sunset Magazine, and students report only the most comfortable yet thrilling experiences at their alma mater. The University of Puget Sound has a long tradition of open-minded and far-reaching majors that take students to the very depths of their educational pursuits. This school is incredibly green and highly values concepts of sustainability that involve the student body, its professors, and the community at large.
Total Enrollment: 2,348
Most Popular Majors:
- Biology
- Business
- Psychology
Acceptance Rate: 88% Retention Rate: 84% Graduation Rate: 80% Job Placement Rate: 92% (2 years after graduation)
LEARN MORE ABOUT WASHINGTON’S HIDDEN GEM: THE UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND
WHITWORTH UNIVERSITY
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON
Located on a magnificent 200-acre campus, Whitworth University was founded at the end of the 19th century when it offered degrees to Christian scholars. Since then, it provided top-quality educational programs for the last 130 years. Currently, the university supports over 100 bachelor’s and master’s degrees and is recognized by many throughout the region as one of the best liberal arts schools in the West. Whitworth is an institution that regularly graduates Fulbright Scholars and recipients of other such prestigious grants and awards. It has also gained recognition from U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance as an excellent choice for veterans, it’s value, and for its fabulous achievements in instruction and research.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Dotted with historical red brick academic and residential buildings and surrounded by enough lush greenery to earn a 2020 Tree Campus USA Award, Whitworth University provides a majestic Northwestern educational atmosphere. As a historically Christian school, Whitworth provides campus ministry opportunities and a beautiful chapel that is also available via livestream for students learning off-campus and online. Students contribute to a kind, supportive, and personable environment. There is no Greek Life and, while there are varsity sports events throughout the year, Whitworth students are more focused on forming meaningful relationships.
Total Enrollment: 2,304
Most Popular Majors:
- Elementary Education
- Natural Sciences
- Psychology
Acceptance Rate: 91% Retention Rate: 82% Graduation Rate: 73% Job Placement Rate: 95% (6 months after graduation)
LEARN MORE ABOUT WASHINGTON’S HIDDEN GEM: WHITWORTH UNIVERSITY
DIGIPEN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
redmond, washington
The DigiPen Institute of Technology is one of the newest schools among the Hidden Gems of the Northwest. It has been educating students since 1988 and is an unparalleled choice for those pursuing careers in computer programming, computer graphics, special effects, and video game design. DigiPen strongly emphasizes collaborative projects between varying majors so that students have a firm understanding of the myriad disciplines involved in this profession. Five departments offer undergraduate degrees and minors, which include Computer Science, Digital Art and Animation, Engineering, Game Design and Development, and Music and Audio. All DigiPen degrees are specifically designed to reflect industry-standard expectations.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
In determining the value of a degree at the DigiPen Institute of Technology, one needs only watch the animations or play the games created by past and current students, many of which are available on the school website. The campus provides state-of-the-art resources, facilities, and laboratories, as well as comfortable amenities and delicious dining options. Students at this fabulous higher education institution are constantly surrounded by like-minded individuals, which not only makes for an outstanding educational experience but a vibrant student life. At all times, individuals are introduced to new hobbies, clubs, games, techniques, and more that keep the campus lively.
Total Enrollment: 831
Most Popular Majors:
- Computer Graphics
- Computer Programming
- Animation, Video Graphics, and Special Effects
Acceptance Rate: 57% Retention Rate: 71% Graduation Rate: 36% Job Placement Rate: 91% (2 years after graduation)
LEARN MORE ABOUT WASHINGTON’S HIDDEN GEM: THE DIGIPEN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
CASPER COLLEGE
CASPER, WYOMING
Casper College is the largest comprehensive undergraduate institution in the region and attracts students from throughout the state, the country, and across the globe. There are over 140 associate’s degrees, technical degrees, and career programs, as well as massive array of individual courses. Established in 1945, Caper was the state’s first junior college, and since then it has maintained a small but strong and consistent student enrollment. The school has well-maintained partnerships with eleven other colleges and universities that offer advanced degrees directly on Casper campus.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
This college is an excellent start to any individual’s educational and professional career. The two-year, technical, and career degrees are highly respected by universities and employers alike, and students go on to enter prominent positions of employment or prestigious four-year institutions. The surrounding town of Casper provides a big city feel with numerous exciting amenities while also providing a more relaxed atmosphere. The distinctive campus has been modernized to reflect all the needs of today’s college student, and most individuals take advantage of CC’s over $3,000,000 in scholarships and financial aid every year.
Total Enrollment: 1,505
Most Popular Majors:
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
- Licensed Practical Nurse Training (LPN)
- Nursing
Acceptance Rate: 100% Retention Rate: 59% Graduation Rate: 37% Job Placement Rate: –%
LEARN MORE ABOUT WYOMING’S HIDDEN GEM: CASPER COLLEGE
EASTERN WYOMING COLLEGE
TORRINGTON, WYOMING
Eastern Wyoming College is highly committed to students’ needs. It supplies a massive array of credit courses and non-credit activities. The degree programs support the pursuits of students with widely varying goals, and EWC integrates numerous outreach programs into the curricula in Crook, Converse, Platte, Niobrara, and Weston counties. This school has supplied programs to the eastern part of the state and its surrounding areas, including Nebraska, since 1948. Some of its most popular programs are career and technical-based and do not require students to continue learning in a four-year institution. Students gain a huge amount of experience in the EWC outreach programs, and, additionally, there are fantastic opportunities for distance education students.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Students at Eastern Wyoming College form lifelong relationships with their classmates and professors. The level at which EWC supports its students and is committed to their success is unmatched by nearly all other schools in the region. Instructors know their students by name and act not only as teachers but also as faculty mentors. There are even amazing opportunities for high school students who can take advantage of the college’s GEAR UP initiative, which stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. GEAR UP is funded by both state and federal agencies and establishes clear pathways for high school seniors.
Total Enrollment: 541
Most Popular Majors:
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
- Veterinary Technician and Assistant
- Welding
Acceptance Rate: 100% Retention Rate: 63% Graduation Rate: 30% Job Placement Rate: –%
LEARN MORE ABOUT WYOMING’S HIDDEN GEM: EASTERN WYOMING COLLEGE
SHERIDAN COLLEGE
SHERIDAN WYOMING
Sheridan College is a beautiful modern school that sits against the stunning natural beauty of its surrounding area. It is an extremely crucial institution for residents of three surrounding counties and is an exemplary choice for two-year degrees and one-year certificates. Sheridan works in tandem with Gillette College and has an outreach center in Buffalo, both of which supply superb opportunities for students of all majors to broaden their minds and professional outlook. Facilities at Sheridan are absolutely top-of-the-line, and students have access to recently renovated laboratories and brand new, high-tech classrooms.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
Located at the end of the Bighorn Mountains and in the vicinity of the Black Hills and Yellowstone National Park, the adventures that await Sheridan College students can’t be found anywhere else. The school brings in highly energetic, fully engaged students who take every advantage available to them. The Venture Outdoors program is well-stocked with an endless variety of gear and supplies for trips off-campus, and the activities available on-campus number nearly 500 every single year. EWC also supports fabulous workshops, retreats, conferences, and camps geared toward business development and community engagement. There are opportunities for everyone at Sheridan College.
Total Enrollment: 1,434
Most Popular Majors:
- Business
- Diesel Mechanics
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
Acceptance Rate: 100% Retention Rate: 66% Graduation Rate: 33% Job Placement Rate: 89% (2 years after graduation)
LEARN MORE ABOUT WYOMING’S HIDDEN GEM: SHERIDAN COLLEGE
LARAMIE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
CHEYENNE, WYOMING
Tucked away in a gorgeous mountain town rich in Wild West history is a comprehensive community college with massive amounts of degrees, diplomas, and certificate programs. Laramie County Community College maintains campuses in Cheyenne and Laramie and an outreach facility in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming. Here, students can major in any number of the 462 arts, science, and applied science associate’s degrees, 72 nursing degrees, 72 certificates of completion, and 146 credit diplomas. It has strong ties with the surrounding communities and offers numerous services and programs to local residents, which gives the campus a unique atmosphere rare among colleges in this country.
Why Is It A Hidden Gem?
First of all, the sheer number of available programs at Laramie County Community College alone sets it far apart from other schools. Not to mention the event calendar, which is packed every year with fun and exciting cultural events, performances, lectures, workshops, parties, and more! Considered one of the best small colleges in Wyoming, this school is incredibly distinguished throughout the state. Its two campuses allow students to take advantage of numerous resources, and many students choose to enroll in the excellent online and hybrid programs. Past and present learners have only the most fabulous things to say about this junior college concerning its value, location, professors, student life, and diversity.
Total Enrollment: 1,597
Most Popular Majors:
- Automotive Mechanics
- Licensed Practical Nurse training (LPN)
- Nursing
Acceptance Rate: 100% Retention Rate: 65% Graduation Rate: 28% Job Placement Rate: 86% (2 years after graduation