What You Should Know About Graduating From College in Washington State
Geographic location is an important factor to consider when choosing where to study and begin a career. As of October 2021, the top five industries in the state of Washington were trade, transportation, and utilities; government; goods-producing; education and health services; and professional and business services.
With a bachelor’s degree from a Washington college, the job outlook is particularly bright for those pursuing computer technology occupations. The fastest-growing jobs for workers at this education level are information security analysts, special effects artists, market research analysts, film and video editors, and web developers.
To get an even better sense of your future employment, consider a look at the top 150 employers in the state. At the top of the list are Washington-headquartered Boeing Company, Microsoft Corporation, and Costco Wholesale Corporation. Thousands of Washingtonians are also employed by hospitals, including Swedish Health Systems and University of Washington Medical Center.
What’s Next?
Federal and state assistance can make your four-year college education more affordable. Here is a list of resources to help you understand the different types of financial aid and how to apply:
- Washington Student Achievement Council (WASC). WASC ensures educational access through needs-based, merit-based, and workforce programs at participating colleges. This includes the generous Washington College Grant (WCG).
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid provides more than $120 billion in financial aid to college students every year. Find out if you’re eligible for a grant, scholarship, work-study job, or loan at FAFSA4caster. Then, you can fill out your FAFSA application online.
- CareerOneStop. This U.S. Department of Labor website lets you search more than 8,000 financial aid opportunities. Use the filters to narrow in on results by level of study and awards specifically for Washington students.