Washingtonians rank exceptionally high by most educational standards. As of 2000, 87.1% of all Washingtonians 25 years of age or older were high school graduates, and 27.7% had four or more years of college.
The total enrollment for fall 1999 in Washington's public schools stood at 1,003,714. Of these, 694,750 attended schools from kindergarten through grade eight, and 308,964 attended high school. Minority students made up approximately 26% of the total enrollment in public elementary and secondary schools in 2001. Total enrollment was estimated at 1,014,000 in fall 2000 and is expected to reach 1,036,000 by fall 2005. Expenditures for public schools in 1999/2000 were $6,126 per pupil. Expenditures for public education in 2000/01 were estimated at $6,557,294. Enrollment in nonpublic schools in fall 2001 was 76,885.
As of fall 2000, there were 358,414 students enrolled in college or graduate school. In the same year Washington had 79 degree-granting institutions. Washington has 35 colleges and universities (11 public, 24 private) and 34 community colleges. The largest institutions are the University of Washington (Seattle), founded in 1861, and Washington State University (Pullman). Other public institutions include the following: Eastern Washington University (Cheney); Central Washington University (Ellensburg); Western Washington University (Bellingham); and Evergreen State College (Olympia). Private institutions include Gonzaga University (Spokane); Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma); Seattle University; Seattle Pacific College; University of Puget Sound (Tacoma); Walla Walla College; and Whitworth College (Spokane). In 1997, minority students comprised 19.2% of total postsecondary enrollment.