University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Public · Selective · WA

Photo: Punctured Bicycle (Public domain)

School data & stats

TypePublic

LocationWA · West

SettingUrban

Undergrads31,942

Student:faculty20:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate73.8%

6-yr grad rate85.2%

Drop-out rate5.3%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$13k

Out-of-state tuition$43k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity66.8%

Gender diversity56.6%

International11.7%

Identity—

Overview

The University of Washington's Seattle campus is Washington's flagship public research university, set on a scenic stretch of land overlooking Lake Washington and Portage Bay, with Mount Rainier visible on clear days. It combines the scale and resources of a major public research institution with direct proximity to some of the country's leading tech and biotech employers, and its identity blends serious academic firepower with a big, spirited campus culture. Long anchored by Red Square and the Gothic buildings around the Quad, UW has grown into a system with sister campuses in Bothell and Tacoma, though Seattle remains its flagship and largest.

Academics

The Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering is nationally prominent and among the hardest programs at UW to gain direct admission to, and the university's medicine, nursing, public health, and global health programs are similarly leading, reinforced by a huge academic medical center on campus. The Foster School of Business, the Information School, and the Jackson School of International Studies are also well-regarded, and oceanography, atmospheric sciences, and environmental programs benefit from the Pacific Northwest setting itself. Research activity runs across nearly every discipline and is a defining feature of undergraduate life, with many students finding their way into labs through programs like the Mary Gates endowment supporting undergraduate research.

Campus & student life

The Quad's cherry blossoms are a beloved seasonal tradition that draws crowds well beyond the student body, and the waterfront campus offers views of the Cascades and Lake Washington from many corners of campus. Husky athletics, especially football and the storied crew program, draw strong school spirit, and the massive student body supports an enormous range of clubs, Greek life along Greek Row, and activities centered on the IMA recreation building. The University District, known simply as the Ave, borders campus with cheap eats and student housing, and Seattle itself functions as an extension of campus, with internships and part-time work at nearby tech companies common even during the school year.

Getting in

Applicants are evaluated holistically, with essays that ask students to reflect on their own experience and community given real weight alongside academic record. Because so many strong in-state and out-of-state applicants apply, specific major choice can meaningfully affect how competitive an application is; computer science and engineering in particular have their own separate, more selective admission process distinct from general university admission. Students hoping to study in the Allen School especially should understand this direct-admission hurdle going in, since strong general admission doesn't guarantee a spot in the major.

After graduation

Graduates flow heavily into the Pacific Northwest tech and biotech corridor, with strong pipelines into companies like Amazon and Microsoft as well as major hospital systems and research institutions across the region. The alumni network is large and especially well-connected within the region's technology and health sectors, and it's common for students to convert internships at nearby companies into full-time offers before graduating. Global health and public health graduates also have a notable presence in international NGOs and public-sector health work.

Worth knowing

Direct admission to certain competitive majors, including computer science, can differ meaningfully from general admission to the university, so students aiming for those fields should understand a separate, more competitive path may apply even after being admitted to UW itself. The size and scope of the university mean students who want a huge range of programs, research opportunities, and a big-city backdrop will thrive, while those wanting a smaller, more intimate campus should look elsewhere.

washington.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate39.1%

Enrolled mid-50%—

Test policynot used

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

Regular decisionNov 15

Verified from the school’s admissions page ↗

Applying (2026-27 cycle)

Apply through Common App.

Interviews: The UW does not conduct formal interviews or consider demonstrated interest in the admission decision.

Verified from the school’s admissions pages ↗