Heritage University

heritage university washington

Empowering, Multi-Cultural Education at HU

Heritage University appears in our ranking of the 100 Most Affordable Small Colleges West of the Mississippi.

Ranked Washington Monthly’s 345th best, Heritage University is a Hispanic- and Native American-serving institution in Toppenish that’s awarding 21 undergrad plus five master’s degrees, including three fully online via Canvas, at a small 8:1 student-faculty ratio. For example, the Medical Laboratory Science B.S. follows a 129-credit, NAACLS-accredited track with 90 percent Board Certification success after 18 weeks of clinical practica, such as Kadlec Medical Center, Trios Southridge, and Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. Chaired by Dr. Jessica Black, the 2017 Tribal Capacity Building Grant recipient, the 120-credit Environmental Studies B.A. offers specializations for Natural Resources, Forestry, and Fisheries with hands-on research at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Laboratory.

The Educational Administration M.Ed. builds a 32-credit, AWSP-aligned curriculum for a K-12 Principal Endorsement that requires online courses like Closing the Achievement Gap and 540 practice hours for LiveText portfolios.

Other options are the Visual Arts A.A., Interdisciplinary Studies A.A., English B.A., Business Administration B.A., American Cultural Studies B.A., Criminal Justice B.A., History B.A., Physician Assistant M.S., and Elementary Education M.I.T.

About Heritage University

Heritage University originated in 1907 when the Soeurs des Saints Noms de Jesus et de Marie from Quebec, Canada, opened Holy Names College in Spokane near Gonzaga. In 1963, the four-year women’s liberal arts school purchased the 250-acre Fort George Wright and became Fort Wright College. Two decades later, another location was acquired for today’s 48-acre Yakima County campus on the Yakama Indian Reservation. In 1986, it was granted full regional accreditation status for bachelor’s degrees. By 1988, it had closed the Spokane site and been titled Heritage College. In 1993, Heritage launched its first cooperative program with Big Bend Community College.

Heritage University was formally born in 2004 with the first master’s degrees. Fast forward to 2016 and Heritage was recognized by the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities for Latino/a studies. Donated $6.3 million in 2017, Heritage University now has 155 faculty teaching 1,010 Eagles online and in-person with 20+ clubs, including the 2016 Enactus finalists. On Niche, HU boasts America’s 463rd best professors, 499th most liberal academics, and 840th safest campus.

Heritage University Accreditation Details

On July 11, 2011, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) Summary of Commission Actions Report included reaffirming the Level III accreditation at Heritage University satisfactorily through 2021 under its third president, Dr. Andrew C. Sund, who earned Latino Leaders magazine’s Maestro of Community Service Award. Based 161 miles up Interstate 90 in Redmond, this trusted 163-college Cascadia Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Education Department and Washington State Higher Education Agency. The Provost & VP for Academic Affairs Office also outlines the following degree accreditations:

  • National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Lab Sciences
  • Council on Social Work Education
  • Professional Educator Standards Board
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Washington State Nursing Quality Assurance Commission
  • Accreditation Review Commission for Physician Assistants (probation)

Heritage University Application Requirements

Enrolling at Heritage University is classified “non-competitive” by Peterson’s because 100 percent of the 734 Fall 2017 applicants were accepted for open enrollment. However, first-year Eagles must culminate an accredited high school or the GED testing sequence. Three units of English and History plus two Math units are recommended. CLEP credits are granted if scored 50 or higher. Minimum grades or SAT/ACT marks aren’t generally listed except for competitive programs. For instance, the Medical Laboratory Sciences B.S. requires cumulative GPAs above 2.5 plus science GPAs of 2.75. Sixteen credits of prerequisites, such as General Chemistry and Microbiology, are mandated. The Pre-Nursing BSN Pathway sets a 3.0 GPA, 23 ACT, and 1020 SAT mark minimum. Those with current Washington LPN licensing are admitted with GPAs as low as 2.75. Graduate programs typically seek relevant bachelor’s majors and 3.0 GPAs on the four-point scale. Physician Assistant M.S. cohorts need 1,000 verified experience hours atop prerequisites like Human Anatomy graded “B-” at least. Educational Administration M.Ed. entrants must document current K-12 certification and three years of classroom work too.

Heritage University personalizes the admission process to break barriers and keep deadlines rolling. Most students apply until two weeks before the August 20th, January 7th, and May 28th start dates. In contrast, the Pre-Nursing BSN Pathway has a January 15th deadline. Incoming Medical Laboratory Science B.S. cohorts have until March 1st only. The Physician Assistant M.S. has an admission period of October 15th to January 15th yearly. Accordingly, complete the Heritage or CASPA Application online for free ($95 if graduate or $125 if international). Have counselors or registrars mail official transcripts to 3240 Fort Road in Toppenish, WA 98948. Attach program checklist items, such as the placement tests, criminal background check, 1-3 letters of reference, current résumé or curriculum vitae, personal statement up to 4,500 characters, health experience form, and prerequisite worksheet. Inquire further by contacting (888) 272-6190 or [email protected].

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2018-19, Heritage University has billed full-time undergraduates $8,912 per semester or $17,824 annually. Taking fewer than 12 credits costs $742 apiece. Tuition overload credits are $743 each. Science and art courses charge a $136 fee. Senior citizens auditing courses pay $60 per credit. Undergrads cover a $60 activity fee, $100 graduation fee, $50 orientation fee, and $150 accelerate mentoring fee. HU budgets $840 for textbooks, $9,690 for off-campus housing, and $3,760 for living expenses each year. Annual associate/bachelor’s attendance equals around $32,204 independently and $22,334 at home. Online M.A. in English cohorts spend $770 per credit or $24,640 total. The Physician Assistant M.S. program costs $40,375 each year. Medical Science M.A. students also pay one year of flat-rate $33,000 tuition.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Student Services Center in the 2000 Building helps 99 percent of Heritage Eagles fly with median financial aid of $15,554 for $12.47 million combined. The Moccasin Lake Foundation Scholarship covers full need for local freshmen exceeding the 2.75 GPA. Until January 13th yearly, freshmen apply for the $17,824 Soar Scholarship with 3.25 GPAs or better. The Sinegal Family Foundation funds five $14,500 Heritage University awards to underrepresented minority students. Dreamers Scholarship recipients pursuing their first bachelor’s get 100 percent tuition regardless of citizenship status. Campus Work-Study jobs pay $3,000 or more for serving up to 19 hours weekly. Private four-year universities qualify for up to $9,739 from the Washington State Need-Based Grant. Filing FAFSA forms coded 003777 unlocks federal aid, including the Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, TEACH Grant, and Stafford Loan. Since 1991, the Foster Care to Success Scholarship has awarded $15 million to teens in the welfare system. Heritage also suggests external programs like the American Indian College Fund, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and the United Negro College Fund.

Search for affordable, real-world learning experiences at the Heritage University Academic Paths website.