Good colleges around Olympia, WA

Hey there, I'm a junior and starting to look into colleges. I'd like to stay relatively close to home, so I'm wondering if you can recommend some good colleges around Olympia, WA. My major preference is computer science. Thanks!

Hi! It's great that you're researching colleges close to home. Olympia, WA is indeed home to some excellent institutions, and there are quite a few within a reasonable distance that offer strong computer science programs. Here are some options to consider:

1. The Evergreen State College: Located in Olympia, WA itself, Evergreen State is a small, public liberal arts college that offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. Their program has an emphasis on problem-solving skills and the application of computer science concepts in various fields.

2. University of Washington (UW): As a top research university situated in Seattle, WA (about an hour's drive from Olympia), UW has a renowned Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, which is consistently ranked among the best in the nation. With a wide range of CS courses and research opportunities, this school may be an excellent fit if you want to pursue a strong CS program.

3. Washington State University (WSU): Located in Pullman, WA (around a 4-hour drive from Olympia), WSU's Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture houses the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. WSU offers various levels of CS degrees, and their program emphasizes real-world experience, research opportunities, and internships.

4. Pacific Lutheran University (PLU): Situated in Tacoma, WA (less than an hour's drive from Olympia), PLU is a private liberal arts college that offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with emphasis on the interdisciplinary nature of the field. The college's location near many tech companies in the Seattle-Tacoma area also provides potential internships and networking opportunities.

5. Seattle University: Another private institution located in Seattle, Seattle University has an established computer science program within its College of Science and Engineering. They offer a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree and encourage internships and research projects.

These are just a few of the institutions around Olympia, WA that offer computer science programs. Be sure to research each school thoroughly to assess their compatibility with your specific interests and needs. Good luck with your college search!