Federal data, no marketing spin COLLEGES 50 SOURCES IPEDS · CDS · SCORECARD
CAMPUS · SEATTLE, WA · PUBLIC

University of Washington Acceptance Rate

University of Washington-Seattle Campus
42.5%
ACCEPT
Why this page exists. I'm a parent who went through college admissions with my own kids, and I got tired of glossy brochures and sticker prices that mean nothing. For University of Washington, the gap is real: a $32,446 published sticker, but families actually pay about $13,176/yr after aid. Every number on this page comes straight from federal data (IPEDS & College Scorecard) — the real net price, what graduates actually earn, and your honest odds. No rankings theater, no marketing spin.
50
FIT
SAFETY
University of Washington is a safety for most applicants.
Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.
ACCEPTANCE
42.5%
of 62,428 applicants
SALARY · 10-YR
$78,466
across all majors
01

University of Washington at a Glance

57,633
Total Enrollment
$14,615
Median Debt
15.0%
Pell Grant Rate

University of Washington Rankings

Ranking2025Year
US News National Universities #40 2025
QS World University Rankings #63 2025
THE World University Rankings #25 2025
ARWU (Shanghai) #17 2024
Show 10-Year US News Ranking History
US News National Universities
2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
#52 #54 #56 #59 #62 #58 #55 #40 #40 #40

US News National Universities: #52 (2016) → #40 (2025) ↑ 12 spots

University of Washington Admissions Overview

University of Washington-Seattle Campus is a public university in Seattle, WA with 57,633 students. At 42.5% acceptance, it's selective but accessible to students who meet the academic benchmarks. The most popular majors are Social Sciences, Computer Science, and Biological Sciences.

Full NameUniversity of Washington-Seattle Campus
LocationSeattle, WA 98195-4550
TypePublic
Websitewashington.edu/
Total Enrollment57,633
Undergrad Enrollment39,850
Female Students50.9%

Is University of Washington a Reach, Match, or Safety?

With a 42.5% acceptance rate, University of Washington is a Match for students who meet the academic profile. If your GPA and test scores are at or above the school average, you have reasonable odds.

Your ProfileUniversity of Washington Is...What to Do
Meet academic requirements Safety Strong odds — apply with confidence
Slightly below average Match Apply — still realistic

University of Washington True Cost by Family Income

15% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating UW Seattle enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Family IncomeAnnual Net Price4-Year Total
$0-30k $6,384 $25,536
$30-48k $7,039 $28,156
$48-75k $8,110 $32,440
$75-110k $14,328 $57,312
$110k+ $30,019 $120,076

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board$17,982
Total Cost of Attendance$32,446

Want to see how University of Washington stacks up? Compare college costs side by side and check the college rankings by net price and salary outcomes.

Popular Majors at University of Washington

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Social Sciences
11.9%
Computer Science
11.9%
Biological Sciences
10.4%
Business/Marketing
9.8%
Engineering
9.1%
Best Majors at University of Washington →

{sn} Student Demographics

White
29.8%
Black/African American
3.2%
Hispanic/Latino
8.3%
Asian
23.1%
International
12.1%

How to Get Into University of Washington

UW Seattle is a Match school for students with solid academics. If your GPA and test scores are at or above the school median, you have good odds of admission. Focus your energy on the application essay and making a genuine case for why UW Seattle fits your goals.

42.5%
Acceptance Rate
62,428
Total Applicants

What University of Washington Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

FactorImportance
Academic Gpa Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record Very Important
Class Rank Considered
Standardized Test Scores Considered
Application Essay Very Important
Recommendation Considered
Extracurricular Activities Important
Talent Ability Considered
Character Personal Qualities Important
First Generation Considered
Alumni Relation Not Considered
Interview Not Considered
Work Experience Considered
Volunteer Work Considered

Want to know your odds? Use the college admissions calculator to see your chances at University of Washington by GPA and SAT/ACT — or calculate your college GPA first to check where you stand.

University of Washington Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the University of Washington Single admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

DeadlineDate
Regular DecisionNov 15
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)Feb 28

See University of Washington alongside every school in our full college application deadlines calendar for 2026–2027.

{sn} Financial Aid & Student Debt

15.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
Students from low-income families
$14,615
Median Debt at Graduation
Federal loans only
$62,979
Median Earnings (6yr)
6 years after enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions About University of Washington

What is UW Seattle's acceptance rate?
UW Seattle has an acceptance rate of 42.5%, making it moderately selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.
What are the most popular majors at UW Seattle?
The most popular majors at UW Seattle by degrees awarded are: Social Sciences (11.9%), Computer Science (11.9%), Biological Sciences (10.4%), Business/Marketing (9.8%), Engineering (9.1%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.
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Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. University of Washington is not affiliated with NextColleges.