University of Washington – Seattle Tuition and Fees

By Kelly Boyer Sagert

(Last Updated – 04/2023)

Total Cost of Attendance

With more federal research money than any other public university in the country, Seattle’s University of Washington consistently ranks among the top public universities globally. The institution was rated the number-one most innovative public university in the U.S. and 5th in the world by Reuters in 2019.

The University of Washington in-state tuition was $12,242 in 2022-23 and $40,740 for out-of-state students. This makes the University of Washington tuition higher than the national averages for public university tuition of $10,940 for in-state students and $28,240 for out-of-state students.

Costs for 2022-2023

Financial Aid

Just over half (54%) of UW students receive financial aid through scholarships, grants, or loans.

Explore financial aid options: Washington Student Loan & Scholarships.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students that qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, and financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state and federal and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

•  Scholarship Search Tool

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

At the University of Washington, 19% of students take out federal loans, while 1% take out private student loans for an average amount of $24,258.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

The University of Washington cost for four years, based on 2022-23 numbers, would be $128,360 for in-state students. This is higher than the average for four years at a public institution of $106,760.

For out-of-state students, this number is $242,352, which is also higher than the national average for out-of-state students of $175,960.

Here’s some Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2022-23

UW tuition and fees, plus room and board, totaled $28,310 for Washington residents and $56,808 for non-residents for 2022-23.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2022-23

University of Washington tuition and fees for graduate students who live in the state was $18,057 in 2022-23. The cost of UW tuition and fees was $31,530 for residents of other states.

There are many options for graduate loans that can help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

For part-time quarterly enrollment, tuition and fees start for two credit hours at $797 for Washington residents. This cost is $2,696 for two credit hours for non-residents.

Campus Housing Expenses

Costs for 2022-23

*Based on one-bedroom pricing. Average rate based on available apartments on the University of Washington’s off-campus housing website in 2023.

Although freshmen are not required to live on campus, 71% choose to. Nearly 10,000 students live in one of 12 residence halls or six apartment complexes. There are family apartment complexes for married students and students with children. For those who choose to live off-campus, there are many options close to campus. Learn about your off campus options .

University of Washington Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021

Admission Requirements

The University of Washington has relatively few requirements for admissions.

Required:

•  High school transcript

•  Essay

SAT and ACT Scores

The University of Washington has permanently removed the requirement for SAT and ACT test scores. UW says students will “not be disadvantaged for sending low scores or no scores.” If you do send your scores, the reviewers won’t see them. However, high scores above 1400 for the SAT, and above 31 for the ACT, could be considered for a small number of students who might not otherwise be admitted, according to the university. Learn about here .

Popular Majors at the University of Washington

The University of Washington has more than 180 majors to choose from. Here are the most popular ones.

1. Computer Science

Students pursuing a Computer Science degree take courses in Software Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Graphics and Animation, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Large-Scale Data Management, Natural Language Processing, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 481

2. Psychology

UW offers both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Students develop scientific and statistical reasoning skills, participate in research and fieldwork, and take courses that prepare them for a career in psychology.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 472

3. Communication

The communications degree at UW builds on foundations in communication literacy, communication inquiry, theory and concepts, and community engagement, with the option to focus on Journalism and Public Interest Communication.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 295

4. Biochemistry

Biochemistry students learn about Analytical, Organic, Inorganic, and Physical Chemistry. Some go on to further their studies through grad school; others take jobs in biomedical research, health care, and biotechnology.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 289

5. Economics

Econ students look at the behavior of individuals, firms, governments, and other organizations and learn how to apply analysis strategies to economic issues.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 288

6. Finance

The Finance program, which falls under the Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree, covers corporate finance, investments, financial markets, and international finance. Students learn business economic theory and financial management tools to apply to real-world financial problems.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 266

7. Public Health

Public Health majors can choose one of the following tracks of studies: Education and Promotion, Global Health, or Nutritional Sciences. They learn about food, policy, labor, social justice, economics, the environment, and culture, and how they relate to population health.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 254

8. Informatics

Informatics grads leave the program equipped to handle challenges in how information is found, stored, manipulated, and shared. The degree has optional tracks: Biomedical and Health Informatics, Data Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Architecture, or Information Assurance and Cybersecurity.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 248

9. Electrical Engineering

Electrical Engineering students can focus their studies on Nanoscience or Molecular Engineering. They will study the design, production, operation, and application of devices and systems that use electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 226

10. Political Science

Poly Sci students have the option to specialize in International Security or Political Economy, and they can participate in internships and/or research. In this program, they’ll develop critical thinking and communication skills.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 200

Graduation Rate

Here are the graduation rates at the University of Washington.

•  4 years: 71%

•  6 years: 84%

•  8 years: 84%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

After graduation, students from UW earn, on average, an annual salary of $68,925. This is higher than the national average of $47, 922 for public university grads.