For those who believe that possibilities are never out of reach, the University of Washington is the place to learn, discover and create.
Ranked the 10th best global university,* the UW is home to a renowned medical center and top-ranked programs in medicine, engineering, nursing, law, business and social work.
The UW is the country's top public research institution and one of the oldest universities on the West Coast. Our main campus, situated in an urban neighborhood just minutes from downtown Seattle, draws more than 32,000 undergraduates pursuing more than 180 majors. Every year, more than 9,000 students augment their learning with hands-on research.
UW students are not required to live on campus, but 70% of freshmen do, creating a strong and supportive community. Residence halls and other campus facilities are heralded for their environmental sustainability. Hundreds of student organizations and dozens of intramural and club sports enrich the Husky experience.
Our students and faculty turn possibility into reality every day. By pursuing both ideas and ideals — by taking action and inspiring action — the UW community makes a real-world impact.
Do you dare to Be Boundless? At the University of Washington, you can.
*2020 Best Global Universities, U.S. News & World Report
About
From the School
Contact & Visit
Campus Visits Contact
Contact
UW Admissions
Address
Office of Admissions
Box 355852
Seattle, WA 98195-5852
Box 355852
Seattle, WA 98195-5852
Phone
206-543-9686
Email
visituw@uw.edu
Experience College Life
Most Popular Places On Campus
Henry Art Gallery
Burke Museum
Meany Hall for Performing Arts
Football games at Husky Stadium
Waterfront Activities Center (WAC)
Suzzallo Library
Burke Museum
Meany Hall for Performing Arts
Football games at Husky Stadium
Waterfront Activities Center (WAC)
Suzzallo Library
Most Popular Places Off Campus
Pike Place Market and Waterfront
Seattle Center (MoPOP, Space Needle, Pac Sci Ctr)
Seattle Art Museum/Asian Art Museum
International District
Olympic Sculpture Park
Seattle Center (MoPOP, Space Needle, Pac Sci Ctr)
Seattle Art Museum/Asian Art Museum
International District
Olympic Sculpture Park
Campus Tours
Campus Visiting Center
Monday - Friday
9am - 4pm
206-543-9686
9am - 4pm
206-543-9686
Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 1 hour
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 1 hour
On Campus Interview
Campus Interviews
No
Information Sessions
Available
Times
http://admit.washington.edu/Visit
Faculty and Coach Visits
Dates/Times Available
Year-round
Arrangements
Contact Athletic Department
Advance Notice
Other
Contact Email Address for Visit
https://gohuskies.com/sports/2016/6/19/compliance-prospects-and-recruits.aspx
Class Visits
Dates/Times Available
Arrangements
Students can drop in on any course that is listed as available for drop-in.
Overnight Dorm Stays
Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available
Transportation
Types of Transportation Available to Campus
By air. Seattle is served by Sea-Tac International Airport, about 20 minutes away.
By transit. More than 60 bus routes serve the U-District, including many that drive onto the campus itself. You may also take the light rail which has stops near UW and the U-District.
Driving Instructions to Campus
From Interstate 5 (I-5), northbound or southbound
Do not use the express lanes.
Take Exit #169 (UW — NE 45th St. Exit).
Go east (right turn from I-5 north, left turn from I-5 south) on NE 45th for about .5 mile.
Turn right on 15th Ave. NE and continue for several blocks to NE 41st St. Schmitz Hall is on the right (west) side of 15th Ave.
To park in the underground Central Plaza Parking Garage, turn left at NE 41st. Parking is available hourly ($4/hour) or daily ($18/day) Cash or Visa/MasterCard/Discover/American Express accepted.
From the east side of Lake Washington via SR 520 (the floating bridge)
Take SR 520 (the floating bridge) westbound toward Seattle.
Take the Montlake Blvd. NE exit.
Turn right (north) onto Montlake Blvd. and cross the Montlake Bridge.
Just past the bridge, turn left on Pacific Ave. and continue west for several blocks past the UW Medical Center and Health Sciences complex on your left.
Turn right at 15th Ave. NE and continue north about three blocks to NE 41st St.
Schmitz Hall is on the left (west) side of 15th Ave.
To park in the underground Central Plaza Parking Garage, turn right on NE 41st. Parking is available hourly ($4/hour) or daily ($18/day) Cash or Visa/MasterCard/Discover/American Express accepted.
Save SchoolAdmissions
Admissions
Overview
Applicants: 52,488
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Average HS GPA: 3.83
GPA Breakdown
16%
4.0
59%
3.75 - 3.99
18%
3.50 - 3.74
5%
3.25 - 3.49
Need to boost your grades? We can help.
Learn MoreSAT & ACT Test Scores
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
640 - 740
SAT Math
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
660 - 780
SAT Composite Scores
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
1320 - 1420
ACT Composite Scores
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
29 - 34
Testing Policies
Standardized testing policy for use in admission
Test Blind
Deadlines
Regular — November 15
Other Admission Factors
Academic
Rigor of Secondary School Record
Academic GPA
Application Essay
Selectivity Rating
Get a personalized plan for a competitive application from an admissions expert.
Learn MoreAcademics
Academics
Faculty and Class Information
Student/Faculty
21:1
Total Faculty
2,622
with Terminal Degree
1,920
1,341
Men
1,281
Women
678
Minority
113
International
Most frequent class size
20 - 29
Most frequent lab / sub section size
20 - 29
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
71%
Graduate in 5 years
83%
Graduate in 6 years
84%
Majors
-
ARCHITECTURE AND RELATED SERVICES.
Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology.
Architectural History and Criticism, General.
Architecture and Related Services, Other.
Architecture.
City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning.
Interior Architecture.
Landscape Architecture.
-
AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.
Chinese Studies.
German Studies.
Japanese Studies.
Korean Studies.
Near and Middle Eastern Studies.
-
BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
Botany/Plant Biology.
Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology.
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics and Population Biology, Other.
Environmental Biology.
Physiology, General.
-
BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.
Marketing/Marketing Management, General.
-
COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Journalism.
Political Communication.
Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
-
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Computer Science.
Informatics.
Information Technology.
-
EDUCATION.
Art Teacher Education.
Early Childhood Education and Teaching.
Mathematics Teacher Education.
Music Teacher Education.
-
ENGINEERING.
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Engineering, Other.
Industrial Engineering.
Materials Engineering.
Mechanical Engineering.
Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering.
Operations Research.
-
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing.
-
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES/HUMAN SCIENCES.
Apparel and Textile Manufacture.
-
FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
Ancient Near Eastern and Biblical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
Comparative Literature.
Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other.
-
HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist.
Environmental Health.
Public Health Education and Promotion.
Public Health, General.
-
HISTORY.
History and Philosophy of Science and Technology.
History, Other.
-
MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Applied Mathematics, Other.
Computational Mathematics.
Mathematics, General.
Mathematics, Other.
Statistics, General.
-
MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
Human Biology.
-
NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.
Environmental Science.
Environmental Studies.
Urban Forestry.
-
PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
Ethics.
Islamic Studies.
-
PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General.
Chemistry, General.
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other.
Geology/Earth Science, General.
Geophysics and Seismology.
-
PSYCHOLOGY.
Psychology, Other.
-
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS.
Social Work.
-
SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Archeology.
Geographic Information Science and Cartography.
Political Science and Government, Other.
Social Sciences, General.
-
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Acting.
Art/Art Studies, General.
Ceramic Arts and Ceramics.
Dance, General.
Design and Visual Communications, General.
Directing and Theatrical Production.
Fiber, Textile and Weaving Arts.
Fine Arts and Art Studies, Other.
Graphic Design.
Industrial and Product Design.
Interior Design.
Jazz/Jazz Studies.
Keyboard Instruments.
Music History, Literature, and Theory.
Music Performance, General.
Music Theory and Composition.
Music, Other.
Musicology and Ethnomusicology.
Painting.
Percussion Instruments.
Photography.
Printmaking.
Sculpture.
Stringed Instruments.
Theatre Literature, History and Criticism.
Voice and Opera.
Students Say
Students find “a great combination of high-powered academics, an excellent social life, and a wide variety of courses, all in the midst of the exciting Seattle life” at the University of Washington, the state’s flagship institution of higher learning. UW offers “a lot of really stellar programs and the best bang for the buck, especially for in-state students or those in the sciences.” Indeed, science programs “are incredible. The research going on here is cutting-edge and the leaders of biomedical sciences, stem cell research, etc. are accessible to students.” Undergrads warn, however, that science programs are extremely competitive, “high pressure,” and “challenging,” with “core classes taught in lectures that seat more than 500 people,” creating the sense that “professors don’t seem to care too much whether you succeed.” Pre-professional programs in business, law, nursing, medicine, and engineering all earn high marks, although again with the caveat that the workload is tough and the hand-holding nominal. As one student puts it, “The University of Washington provides every resource and opportunity for its students to succeed. You just have to take advantage of them. No one will do it for you.” For those fortunate enough to get in, the Honors Program “creates a smaller community of highly motivated students.... It puts this school on top.”
Degrees
Bachelor's
Doctoral
Doctoral Other
Doctoral/Professional
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Master's certificate
Doctoral
Doctoral Other
Doctoral/Professional
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Master's certificate
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Opportunities at School
Coop
Experiential
Internship
Notable Faculty
Prominent Alumni
Bill Gates Sr.
Successful attorney, community and philanthropy leader, former UW Regent
James G. Anderson
Renowned scientist and climate change expert
Sally Jewell
51st U.S. Secretary of the Interior, former CEO of REI, former UW Regent
Bonnie Dunbar
Accomplished NASA Astronaut, former CEO of The Museum of Flight
Orin Smith
CEO of Starbucks
Jane Lubchenco
First female administrator (and ninth overall) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Beverly Cleary
Award-winning author of children and young adult fiction
Academic Rating
82/99
Careers
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
71%
Graduate in 5 years
83%
Graduate in 6 years
84%
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Opportunities at School
Coop
Experiential
Internship
ROI & Outcomes
Information from PayScale:
Starting Median Salary (Up to Bachelor's degree completed, only)
$74,200
Mid-Career Median Salary (Up to Bachelor's degree completed, only)
$132,200
Starting Median Salary (At least Bachelor's degree)
$76,100
Mid-Career Median Salary (At least Bachelor's degree)
$138,200
Percent High Job Meaning
54%
Percent STEM
37%
Students Say
Internship, leadership, and service learning experiences are all on the menu at the University of Washington, where offices like The Career and Internship Center and the Center for Experiential Learning and Diversity are dedicated to connecting students with opportunity. For example, students and faculty work side-by-side on projects through the Undergraduate Research Program, or undergrads may join in the Social Development Research Group, which links academics with service learning in the community. Handshake consolidates job postings, internships, and volunteer opportunities, as well as information about employers who are interviewing on campus, all in one handy place. Even better, career workshops aren’t just for enrolled students—the two-day Dependable Strengths Seminars are geared toward alumni or community members “in any stage of career transition.”
Tuition & Aid
Tuition & Aid
Dates
Application Deadlines
Notification Date
Apr 1
Required Forms
FAFSA
Financial Aid Statistics
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$16,997
Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$18,188
Average Need-Based Loan
$4,760
Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program
28%
Average amount of loan debt per graduate
$18,136
Average amount of each freshman scholarship/grant package
$16,155
Financial aid provided to international students
No
Expenses per Academic Year
Tuition (In-State)
$11,189
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$39,687
Required Fees
$1,053
Average Cost for Books and Supplies
$900
Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study
No
Board for Commuters
$5,054
Transportation for Commuters
$714
On-Campus Room and Board
$16,068
Comprehensive Fee
Available Aid
Financial Aid Methodology
Federal
Scholarships and Grants
Need-Based
Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
Need-Based Federal Pell
Need-Based Private Scholarships
Need-Based SEOG
Need-Based State Scholarships
Federal Direct Student Loan Programs
Direct PLUS Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL)
College/university loans from institutional funds
Federal Nursing Loans
Federal Nursing Loans
Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)
Yes
Direct Lender
No
Financial Aid Rating
81/99
Student Body
Student Body
Overall
Student Body Profile
Total Undergraduate Enrollment
36,872
Foreign Countries Represented
79
Demographics
27.32%
Asian
3.63%
Black
9.66%
Hispanic
34.60%
Caucasian
2.76%
Unknown
13.61%
International
56% female
44% male
23% are out of state
81% are full time
19% are part time
Students Say
“At such a large university, there is no ‘typical’ student,” undergrads tell us, observing “one can find just about any demographic here and there is a huge variety in personalities.” There “are quite a lot of yuppies, but then again, it’s Seattle,” and by and large “the campus is ultraliberal. Most students care about the environment, are not religious, and are generally accepting of other diverse individuals.” Otherwise, “you’ve got your stereotypes: the Greeks, the street fashion pioneers, the various ethnic communities, the Oxford-looking grad students, etc.” In terms of demographics, “the typical student at UW is white, middle-class, and is from the Seattle area,” but “there are a lot of African American students and a very large number of Asian students.” All groups “seem to socialize with each other.”
Campus Life
Campus Life
Overview
Campus Life
Undergrads living on campus
29%
Help finding off-campus housing
Yes
81/99
First-Year Students living on campus
63%
Campus Environment
Large Urban
88/99
Housing Options
Apartment Married
Apartment Single
Disabled Student
Apartment Single
Disabled Student
Dorms Coed
Frat Sorority
Theme Housing
Frat Sorority
Theme Housing
Students Say
UW students typically “have a good balance in their lives of education and fun.” They “generally study hard and work in the libraries, but once the nighttime hits, they look forward to enjoying the night with their friends.” Between the large university community and the surrounding city of Seattle, undergrads have a near-limitless selection of extracurricular choices. As one student explains, “There are tons of options for fun in Seattle. Going down to Pike’s Market on a Saturday and eating your way through is always popular. There are tons of places to eat on ‘The Ave,’” the shopping district that abuts campus, “and the UVillage shopping mall is a five-minute walk from campus with chainstore comfort available. Intramural sports are big for activities, and going to undergraduate theater productions is never a disappointing experience. During autumn or spring, renting a canoe and paddling around lake Washington down by the stadium is fun.” Husky football games “are amazing,” and the Greek community “is very big” without dominating campus social life. In short, “UW has anything you could want to do in your free time.”
Special Needs Admissions
Program / Service Name
Disability Resources for Students
Type of Program
For all students with disabilities
Director
Bree Callahan
College Entrance Tests Required
Yes
Interview Required
No
Special Need Services Offered
Calculator allowed in exams
Yes
Dictionary allowed in exams
Yes
Computer allowed in exams
Yes
Spellchecker allowed in exams
Yes
Extended test time
Yes
Scribes
Yes
Proctors
Yes
Oral exams
Yes
Notetakers
Yes
Distraction-free environment
Yes
Accommodation for students with ADHD
Yes
Reading machine
Yes
Other assistive technology
Yes
Student Activities
Registered Student Organizations
928
Number of Honor Societies
5
Number of Social Sororities
28
Number of Religious Organizations
47
Sports
Athletic Division
Division I
2% participate in intercollegiate sports
Men's Sports (Huskies)
9 Sports
Baseball
Basketball
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Soccer
Tennis
Track Field Outdoor
Basketball
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Soccer
Tennis
Track Field Outdoor
Women's Sports (Huskies)
10 Sports
Basketball
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Golf
Gymnastics
Sand Volleyball
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Track Field Outdoor
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Golf
Gymnastics
Sand Volleyball
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Track Field Outdoor
Student Services
Day Care
Health
Womens Center
LGBT Support Groups
Minority Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered on-campus
Navy ROTC Offered on-campus
Air Force ROTC Offered on-campus
Health
Womens Center
LGBT Support Groups
Minority Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered on-campus
Navy ROTC Offered on-campus
Air Force ROTC Offered on-campus
Sustainability
98/99
AASHE STARS® rating
Gold
School Has Formal Sustainability Committee
Yes
Sustainability-focused degree available
Yes
School employs a sustainability officer
Yes
Public GHG inventory plan
Yes
% food budget spent on local/organic food
5%
Available Transportation Alternatives
Bike Share
Yes
Car Sharing Program
Yes
Carpool/Vanpool Matching Program
Yes
Condensed Work Week Option For Employees
Yes
Free Or Reduced Price Transit Passes And/Or Free Campus Shuttle
Yes
Incentives Or Programs To Encourage Employees To Live Close To Campus
Yes
Indoor And Secure Bike Storage, Shower Facilities, And Lockers For Bicycle Commuters
Yes
School Adopted A Policy Prohibiting Idling
Yes
School Developed Bicycle Plan
Yes
School Offers A Telecommute Program For Employees
Yes
Data provided by Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), STARS®, as of March, 2023.
Campus Security Report
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/
Other Information
Campus-wide Internet Network
Yes
% of Classrooms with Wireless Internet
100
Fee for Network Use
Yes
Partnerships with Technology Companies
Yes
Personal computer included in tuition for each student
No
Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors
Yes
Description
Microsoft
Dell
Apple
