Bellevue College Ranked No. 1 in Washington in Newsweek’s America’s Best Colleges for Women 2026

Bellevue, WA, September 9th, 2026, FinanceWire

The inaugural ranking, developed in partnership with Gender Fair, highlights institutions that empower women

BELLEVUE, WA, September 09, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Bellevue College, a public, open-admission institution serving students across Seattle's Eastside and the Puget Sound region's technology corridor, has been ranked the No. 1 college for women in Washington state in Newsweek's America's Best Colleges for Women 2026.

America’s Best Colleges for Women is a ranking developed by Newsweek in partnership with Gender Fair to highlight institutions that support gender equality and empower women. The methodology is rooted in the Women’s Empowerment Principles and evaluates colleges across four key areas: leadership, pay and policies, safety, and opportunity.

“Being named among the best colleges for women in America is a recognition of Bellevue College’s dedication to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment where women can excel,” said Bellevue College President David May. “We believe higher education has the power to transform lives, and we remain committed to providing the support, resources, and opportunities that help our students reach their full potential.” 

The ranking identifies colleges that have established the structural elements necessary to foster education and employment for women by drawing on data from the U.S. Department of Education — including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the Campus Safety and Security Database — as well as additional desk research. Only institutions meeting specific criteria for size and academic roles are included, ensuring the results reflect meaningful progress toward gender equity in higher education.

In particular, Bellevue College scored highly in the following two categories: pay and policy, and safety, reflecting the college’s competitive pay and on-campus daycare, as well as a safe campus where women can work and learn.

Newsweek also noted in the ranked list information on state-level reproductive health policies so that students could consider how local laws may impact their healthcare access. 

Bellevue College offers a supportive culture that has led to a partnership with King County Eastgate Public Health Center’s sexual reproductive health program. In support of that partnership, the college’s health sciences program received a grant in 2024 to create a reproductive health resource hub for underserved or marginalized students.

“Choosing a college is a defining moment for many young women, and it’s about more than academics alone,” said Jennifer H. Cunningham, Editor-in-Chief of Newsweek. “America’s Best Colleges for Women highlights institutions that are making measurable progress in leadership, equity, safety, and opportunity, helping students identify environments where women are supported and positioned to succeed.”

About Bellevue College

Bellevue College officially opened its doors on January 3, 1966, fulfilling the community's dream of a local, accessible institution of higher education. Now, 60 years later, the college is located within the city limits of Bellevue, Washington, situated on 100 wooded acres within sight of the Cascade Range and Puget Sound. As the fourth largest institution of higher learning in Washington, the college has an annual average enrollment of more than 20,000 students. Bellevue College offers associate degree programs covering the first two years of a college education as well as four-year bachelor’s degrees, certificates, and community education programs in 100 professional and technical fields, such as computer science, information technology, business, and healthcare. For more information, visit bellevuecollege.edu.

About Newsweek

Newsweek is the global digital news organization built around the iconic 93-year-old American magazine. Newsweek reaches 100 million people monthly with its thought-provoking news, opinion, images, graphics, and video delivered across a dozen print and digital platforms. Headquartered in New York City, Newsweek also publishes international editions in EMEA and Asia. For more information, visit www.newsweek.com.

Media Contact

Raechel Dawson

Associate Director of Communications

raechel.dawson@bellevuecollege.edu

SOURCE: Bellevue College

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