University of Washington-Seattle Campus
#2 Best Bachelor's Programs in Washington- Graduation Rate
- 84% A
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $78,466 A
- Top 4% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $14,091 C+
- 18% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 39% A-
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A A- overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 36.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $36.9 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Bachelor's Programs in Washington.
Every $1 spent returns $36.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $2,021,530.
What The Data Says
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An A- overall — top 13% of all U.S. colleges on measured outcomes.
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Graduates earn 92% more than the national college median.
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A 84% graduation rate — 48% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $36.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Washington Matters
University of Washington-Seattle Campus is a public research university in Seattle, WA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 4% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 31,942
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical, Engineering, Social Sciences
Why students choose University of Washington
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 39% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,091 a year after grants and scholarships — 18% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $78,466 ten years after enrolling — 92% above the typical college, against $14,615 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.82 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With nearly 32,000 students, the University of Washington-Seattle Campus is a vibrant choice for those interested in a diverse academic experience. It attracts students who lean towards technology, health sciences, and business, with strong programs in Computer Science, Biology, Engineering, and Social Sciences. The acceptance rate of 39% means it’s competitive, but still accessible for many.
When it comes to life after graduation, UW alumni see impressive earnings, with a median income of around $78,466 a decade after finishing their degrees. This financial outlook is significant, especially considering the relatively affordable net price of $14,091 after aid. Understanding the financial landscape is crucial; many graduates manage their debt well, with a median debt load of $14,615, which suggests that students here can find a balance between education costs and future earnings.
Looking at the practicalities, students who thrive at UW typically take advantage of the resources available, including a strong support system for managing finances and career services. With a Pell Grant rate of 15%, there are opportunities for lower-income students to access education. Overall, those who are proactive and engaged tend to find a fulfilling experience, both during their time at the university and in their careers afterward.
Rankings
- #2 Best Bachelor's Programs in Washington
- #2 Best Master's Programs in Washington
- #4 Best Computer Science Colleges in Washington
- #4 Best Data Science Colleges in Washington
- #7 Best Online Colleges in Washington
- #7 Best MBA Programs in Washington
- #8 Best Biology Colleges in Washington
- #8 Best Communications Colleges in Washington
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Washington-Seattle Campus is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Washington-Seattle Campus? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Seattle, Washington, University of Washington-Seattle Campus reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 39%. The graduation rate is roughly 84%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 39%
- Retention Rate
- 95%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 80%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $15,198
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 21:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.78
- First-Gen Students
- 33%
- Applicants
- 52,488
- Admitted
- 24,942
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2025-26
The acceptance rate tells you how hard University of Washington-Seattle Campus is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 23% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 23%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 19%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 5%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 24% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Washington-Seattle Campus? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Washington-Seattle Campus is $43,209, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,091. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,384 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $14,615 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $12,973
- Out-of-State
- $43,209
- Avg Net Price
- $14,091
- Median Debt
- $14,615
- Pell Grant Rate
- 15%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 15%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $6,384
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $7,039
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $8,110
- Family Income $110K+
- $30,019
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Washington-Seattle Campus — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Washington-Seattle Campus Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Washington-Seattle Campus earn a median of $78,466, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $62,979
- 8 Years
- $70,968
- 10 Years
- $78,466
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.19x
- Earning > $25K
- 77%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (4,231)
- 67%
- 100% (4,231)
- 67%
- 100% (4,231)
- 67%
- 100% (4,231)
- 67%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Washington-Seattle Campus Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Washington-Seattle Campus delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,091/year ($56,364 total). Graduates earn $78,466 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $2,077,894 in total earnings — a net gain of $2,021,530 (36.9× your investment). The median debt is $14,615, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 84% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $56,364
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $2,077,894
- Net Return
- $2,021,530
- ROI Multiple
- 36.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,091
- Median Debt
- $14,615
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 84%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-451,870,392
Top Programs
The fields University of Washington-Seattle Campus awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Computer Science & IT 13% $120,270 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 12% $43,576 early-career
- Engineering 11% $142,882 early-career
- Social Sciences 10% $63,400 early-career
- Business & Marketing 8% $87,119 early-career
- Health Professions 7% $85,730 early-career
- Psychology 5% $40,908 early-career
- Communications 4% $46,645 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Washington-Seattle Campus's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Washington-Seattle Campus? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Seattle, Washington, University of Washington-Seattle Campus reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 39%. The graduation rate is roughly 84%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Washington-Seattle Campus? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Washington-Seattle Campus is $43,209, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,091. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,384 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $14,615 in federal student loans.
Is University of Washington-Seattle Campus Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Washington-Seattle Campus earn a median of $78,466, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
How Connected Is University of Washington-Seattle Campus? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Washington-Seattle Campus. Its economic connectedness score is 1.82, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does University of Washington-Seattle Campus offer Early Decision?
No. University of Washington-Seattle Campus does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2025-26 Common Data Set).
Is University of Washington-Seattle Campus really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 24% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at University of Washington-Seattle Campus (2025-26 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at University of Washington-Seattle Campus?
About 23% of admitted students choose to enroll at University of Washington-Seattle Campus — its yield rate (2025-26 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Compare University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Washington-Seattle Campus.
- University of California-DavisDavis, CA · Close peer85% grad $80,838 earn 42% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL · Close peer85% grad $81,054 earn 42% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of California-IrvineIrvine, CA · Close peer86% grad $80,735 earn 29% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of GeorgiaAthens, GA · Close peer89% grad $68,726 earn 38% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park, MD · Close peer89% grad $82,860 earn 45% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla, CA · Close peer87% grad $84,943 earn 27% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Washington-Seattle Campus? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Washington-Seattle Campus. Its economic connectedness score is 1.82, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note