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3. University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Published: Oct 19, 2015
Ski Lift Snow Skiing Slopes North Cascades Summit, Snoqualmie
The Summit at Snoqualmie is an easy day trip for University of Washington students.
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Seattle

Money rank: 56 (tie)

Distance to nearest ski area: 53 miles (Summit at Snoqualmie)

It rarely snows on the UW campus, and its elevation is nil. Yet, this top-ranked school is an ideal base camp for accessing jaw-dropping terrain in the nearby Cascade Mountains. Students who join the school's Husky Winter Sports club can become certified ski or snowboard instructors, and teach at a non-profit school at Snoqualmie Summit. About 90 miles from campus, Crystal Mountain is the state’s largest ski area, with a whopping 2,600 acres of skiable terrain and nearly 400 inches of average annual snowfall.

Average early career earnings: $51,900

Read more about the University of Washington-Seattle Campus.