Washington Colleges & Universities
Top college and university libraries in Washington
These college and university libraries stand out for their collections, special collections and archives. Public access varies, so each entry says how visitors can use the library.
Suzzallo and Allen LibrariesUniversity of Washington
Suzzallo and Allen Libraries are the central libraries of the UW Libraries system, the largest library collection in the Pacific Northwest. They are open to all, including the general public, and guided tours of the building's architecture, art and history start inside the main entrance of Suzzallo Library on the second Wednesday of each month.
Tateuchi East Asia LibraryUniversity of Washington
On the third floor of Gowen Hall in the Liberal Arts Quadrangle, the Tateuchi East Asia Library is one of the leading East Asian libraries in North America. Its first collection was established in 1937, making it the second oldest library on campus, and its Korea collection is one of the oldest and largest in North America.
Odegaard Undergraduate LibraryUniversity of Washington
Named for the university's 19th president, Odegaard opened in 1972 on the northwest corner of Red Square, and its 2012-2013 renovation won a 2014 AIA Institute Honor Award for Interior Architecture. Entry requires a current Husky Card, but UW Libraries borrowers can request its items for pickup at public locations.
Holland and Terrell LibrariesWashington State University
Holland and Terrell Libraries are the main library on WSU's Pullman campus, part of a system that is one of two Association of Research Libraries members in the state and houses over two million books. Washington residents and Palouse community members 16 or older can get a library card at no cost with photo ID.
Foley Center LibraryGonzaga University
Foley Center Library opened in 1992 and is named for alumnus Ralph E. Foley, a Superior Court judge for 34 years, and his wife, Helen Higgins Foley. Its special collections include the Gerard Manley Hopkins collection and a large collection on Bing Crosby, and visitors are welcome during limited hours in the school year.
The most beautiful college library in Washington
Suzzallo LibraryUniversity of Washington
Suzzallo's Graduate Reading Room is 250 feet long and 65 feet high, with oak bookcases topped by hand-carved friezes of native plants, a painted timber-vaulted ceiling and tall stained-glass windows, a look reminiscent of the great halls of Oxford and Cambridge. Terra cotta figures by Allen Clark of thinkers such as Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo and Charles Darwin adorn the exterior.
Last verified: November 2, 2026. Visitor rules, hours and borrowing policies change, so check the library's website before you go.
About colleges and universities in Washington
Located on the Pacific Coast, the state of Washington is the home to dozens of different colleges and universities. Some of the oldest universities on the frontier are located in this state, allowing it to have a rich and cultural education history. There are seven public universities, three of which are university systems with multiple campuses. There are nearly 30 community colleges and two-year universities. In addition to the public educational institutions in the state, there also are four private liberal arts colleges and 22 different private colleges and universities in the state of Washington.
One of the largest and oldest universities in the state is the University of Washington. It was established in 1861, making it not only one of the oldest universities in the state but also one of the oldest universities along the west coast of the United States. The University of Washington is one of the top-ranked universities across the globe, and is considered to be a Public Ivy institution. It is a university with very high research activity, and it has one of the largest research budgets among similar educational institutions around the world. Its research budget has exceeded $1 billion in years past.
There are three campuses that are a part of the University of Washington. The main campus is the University Center, which is located in Seattle. There also are two extension campuses located in Tacoma and Bothell. Some of its top academic programs include pharmacy, computer science and economics. There are many notable people who graduated from the University of Washington including glass sculpture artist Dale Chihuly, president and CEO of Alaska Airlines William S. Ayer and dozens of different NASA astronauts.
Another large and noteworthy university in Washington is Gonzaga University, which is a private Catholic university located in Spokane. Gonzaga University is a Jesuit university that was founded in 1887 by the Jesuit priests. The basis of Gonzaga's curriculum is liberal arts, and most subject areas has a specialized emphasis on writing. Some of its highly regarded academic programs include engineering, dentistry, theology, nursing and veterinary medicine. Many notable people left the Spokane campus after graduation and went on to do great things across the globe. Some of the most famous alumni who graduated from Gonzaga include actor Bing Crosby, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire and many different professional athletes, especially professional basketball players given the schools prominent basketball program.