The state of Washington claims a largely Evangelical Protestant following, followed closely by a substantial Catholic membership. Those belonging to ‘other’ and Mainline Protestant denominations, respectively, are the next-largest faith groups in the state, all according to an Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA) study conducted in 2010. The ARDA also noted a sizeable increase in new Christian congregations, specifically of Baptist and Latter-Day Saints denominations, in the state between 2000 and 2010.

Education in Washington

Colleges and universities with faith-based core values are abundant in Washington. The state counts Seattle Pacific University, Whitworth University, and Northwest University among its prestigious postsecondary institutions with Christian education options. While all three of these Christian colleges in Washington are renowned for their liberal arts and traditional academic programs, they also feature various majors and minors in subjects involving theology, Biblical languages, and cross-cultural studies, and even offer some individual online courses and degrees.

As a state that is historically tied to political and economical issues and platforms, Washington state has also led a number of education initiatives, aimed at increasing college enrollment and raising awareness of postsecondary institutions and programs in the immediate area. Results of these efforts showed an increase in college enrollment of more than 11% between 2005 and 2010 in the state of Washington.

Working in Washington

Washington’s workforce is historically rooted in the timber, agriculture, and manufacturing markets. As of March 2013, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported trade, transportation, and utilities, as well as government, among the top employers in the state. Within these industries, the U.S. Census Bureau reported nearly a quarter of all state occupations between 2007 and 2011 were in management, business, science, and the arts.

The fastest-growing jobs between 2010 and 2020 in Washington were biomedical, sales, and materials engineers, respectively, followed by market research analysts and software developers, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department, Labor Market and Economic Analysis Branch.

Washington Christian colleges offer a unique combination of Christian-oriented values and leadership skills, as well as a diverse range of curriculum choices and vocational guidance and training, so students are prepared to use this special skill set in the practical world. To find out more about Christian colleges in Washington, continue reading below: