#92 in the world · QS 2027

University of Washington

Seattle's flagship public research university, with cherry-blossom quads and views of Mount Rainier.

Seattle, Washington, United States Public research university Founded 1861 Official website

Acceptance rate: 42%; First-year class entering autumn 2025 (Seattle Common Data Set 2025-26)
Students: 57,283; 40,996 undergraduates
International: 18%; of students
Student–faculty: 21:1; ratio
Tuition: $45,789; 2026-27

About UW

Founded in 1861, the University of Washington is one of the oldest universities on the US West Coast and the flagship of Washington's public system. Its Seattle campus covers about 700 acres between Lake Washington's Portage and Union bays, and the 2025-26 Common Data Set counts 57,283 students there, 40,996 of them undergraduates. The university reports that it receives more federal research money than any other US public university, with 1.74 billion dollars in total research awards in fiscal 2025.

UW is organised into colleges and schools including Arts and Sciences, Engineering (home of the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering), the Foster School of Business, the College of the Environment, the Information School, Built Environments, and health sciences schools led by UW Medicine. Some majors admit first-years directly, notably computer science, computer engineering, engineering and business, while most students enter a major after arriving, and several popular majors are capacity-constrained.

UW suits students who want a major research university inside a big, tech-driven city, and who are comfortable competing for places in high-demand majors. Sport matters here too: the Huskies now play in the Big Ten, and Husky Stadium sits on the lake shore.

Lux sit

“Let there be light” — university motto

Why students choose UW

First-year applicants can be admitted directly to the Paul G. Allen School for computer science or computer engineering, which the university says is how most of its CS degree earners enter.

UW reports 1.74 billion dollars in research awards in fiscal 2025, more federal research funding than any other US public university.

The Husky Promise covers tuition and standard fees for eligible Washington residents; about 10,200 resident undergraduates qualified in 2024-25.

Seattle location gives students internships and jobs in one of the country's largest tech and life-sciences economies, plus lakes and mountains within reach.

Admissions

First-year class entering autumn 2025 (Seattle Common Data Set 2025-26)

About 1 in 2 applicants is admitted

30,446 admitted from 72,933 applicants

SAT 1320–1502

1000120014001600

Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.

ACT 30–34

2024283236

Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.

Rates differ by residency: in fall 2025, 6,980 of 15,260 Washington applicants were admitted (about 46%), 18,813 of 44,619 out-of-state (about 42%) and 4,653 of 13,054 international (about 36%). Direct admission to computer science, computer engineering, engineering and business is far more competitive than general admission.

Testing Not required for most applicants (required only for homeschooled students and those from schools with non-standard grading); scores considered if submitted. About 19% of enrolled first-years submitted SAT and 5% ACT.

Grades Average high school GPA of enrolled first-years was 3.84 (fall 2025, CDS).

Typical entry requirements

College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADR)	Minimum high school subject distribution in English, math, science, social science, world language and arts required for admission; see UW's CADR page
Direct-to-major	Computer science, computer engineering, engineering, business, informatics, statistics and several other majors must be listed as first choice to be considered for direct admission
English language	IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 76 TOEFL iBT 76 for tests before January 21, 2026, or 4.0 on the new band scale; IELTS 6.0; Duolingo 110. Exempt if primary and secondary education were in Australia, English-speaking Canada, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand or the US. Tests must be taken by December 31 of the application year.

Deadlines

Regular (single) deadline Non-binding Next deadline · In 40 days

November 15, 2026

UW has no early action or early decision. Application opens August 15; test scores (if sent) due December 31; decisions March 1-15; enrollment confirmation May 1.

The admissions dates page lists month and day for the autumn-quarter cycle; the CDS also records November 15 as the priority date. FAFSA/WASFA priority date is February 1.

How to apply

Apply through the Common App ($85 US, $95 international; fee waivers for US students only) with the Common App personal essay, then self-report courses and grades in STARS. Do not send recommendation letters or portfolio materials (music auditions excepted). List your intended direct-admit major as first choice.

What admissions looks for

Strong academic achievement shown through grades and the depth, breadth and rigor of your curriculum.
Taking advantage of college-level options such as AP, IB, Running Start or College in the High School, and using the senior year fully.
A positive grade trend.
Commitment to community service and leadership, and significant responsibility in family, work or activities.
Unique perspectives or experiences; for Washington residents, achieving a college-prep education despite socio-economic disadvantage.

Tips for applying to UW

1 If you want computer science or computer engineering, list it as your first-choice major; the Allen School will not consider you if it is only your second choice.
2 There is one deadline, November 15, and no early round, so aim to submit well before it.
3 Do not send recommendation letters or extra materials; UW asks applicants not to, so put your effort into the Common App essay and activities.
4 Check that your courses satisfy the CADR subject requirements, especially if you study outside Washington or abroad.

Costs & financial aid

2026-27 · figures in USD

Washington residents (tuition and fees) Tuition $13,873

+ housing and food, 2026-27 $18,858 ≈ $32,731 per year

Non-residents including international (tuition and fees) Tuition $45,789

+ housing and food, 2026-27 $18,858 ≈ $64,647 per year

Tuition Housing and food, 2026-27

Official cost of attendance $37,213

Financial aid

The Husky Promise covers tuition and standard fees for Washington residents with financial need, and many residents also receive the Washington College Grant. UW says about 57% of undergraduates received some form of aid in 2024-25 and 70% graduated with no known debt. Non-residents and international students have far less need-based aid available.

$69,129
Non-resident COA 2026-27: About 57%
Undergraduates receiving financial aid (2024-25): 70%
Undergraduates graduating with no known debt (2024-25): About 10,200 (30%)
Washington residents eligible for Husky Promise (2024-25)

Academics

Academic calendar: Quarters

Computer Science and Computer Engineering (Allen School)

Most UW computing graduates are admitted directly as first-years, provided they list it as their first choice.

Engineering

All engineering majors offer direct first-year admission.

Business Administration (Foster)

One of the few areas where a large share of students enter directly as first-years.

Oceanography and environmental sciences

The College of the Environment and the Applied Physics Laboratory, which built the first high-power underwater cabled observatory in the US.

Health sciences

UW Medicine and the university's schools of nursing, pharmacy and public health sit on the same campus.

Research

1.74 billion dollars in research awards in fiscal 2025, and more federal research funding than any other US public university.
The Applied Physics Laboratory constructed the first high-power underwater cabled observatory in the US.
The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture on campus holds a rare Tyrannosaurus rex fossil.
Since 1995, UW spinoffs supported by CoMotion have raised more than 10 billion dollars.

Schools & faculties

College of Arts and Sciences
College of Engineering
Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering
Michael G. Foster School of Business
College of the Environment
College of Built Environments
Information School
College of Education
School of Medicine
School of Nursing
School of Public Health
Evans School of Public Policy and Governance

Graduation rate

85%

First-year students who return

95%

Student life

UW combines a traditional campus, centred on the Quad, Red Square and Suzzallo Library, with the energy of a big city on its doorstep. Spring brings crowds to see the Quad's cherry trees, Drumheller Fountain frames a view of Mount Rainier, and football Saturdays at Husky Stadium include the tradition of 'sailgating' by boat on Lake Washington. The Huskies compete in the Big Ten. The quarter calendar keeps the academic pace brisk.

Cherry blossom season in the Quad each spring.
Sailgating: fans arriving by boat to Husky Stadium on Lake Washington.
NCAA Division I athletics in the Big Ten Conference.
Views of Mount Rainier down Rainier Vista from Drumheller Fountain.

Housing. Housing and food are budgeted at $18,858 for 2026-27 in UW's cost of attendance.

Location

The Seattle campus sits in the University District, a few miles north-east of downtown and bordered by Lake Washington, Portage Bay and Lake Union. Light rail connects the campus to downtown and the airport. Seattle is a major tech and biotech hub with mild, wet winters, and mountains, islands and national parks are within a few hours.

Nearest airport: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Notable alumni

LB
Linda B. Buck

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2004 for research on the sense of smell
ME
Mary E. Brunkow

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2025
FH
Frank Herbert

Author of the science fiction novel Dune
MY
Minoru Yamasaki

Architect of the World Trade Center
JS
Joseph Sutter

Chief designer of the Boeing 747
DC
Dale Chihuly

Glass sculptor
HM
Henry M. Jackson

US senator from Washington
HS
Hope Solo

Two-time Olympic gold medalist goalkeeper

Frequently asked questions

What is the University of Washington's acceptance rate?

For autumn 2025, UW Seattle admitted 30,446 of 72,933 first-year applicants, about 42%. Direct admission to majors like computer science is much more selective.

Does UW require the SAT or ACT?

No, most applicants do not need test scores; they are required only for homeschooled students and those from schools with non-standard grading. Enrolled students who submitted scores had a middle-50% SAT of 1320-1502.

Does the University of Washington have early action?

No. There is a single first-year deadline of November 15, and decisions come out in the first half of March.

How do I get into computer science at UW?

Apply directly to the Allen School by listing computer science or computer engineering as your first-choice major on the Common App; you are not considered if it is only your second choice.

How much does UW cost for out-of-state students?

For 2026-27, non-resident tuition and fees are $45,789 and the estimated total cost of attendance is $69,129.

Sources & methodology

Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.