Public
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Seattle, Washington
42.5% Acceptance Rate
University of Washington-Seattle Campus — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
42.5%Acceptance Rate
3.82Avg GPA
1327Avg SAT
$30,282Annual Cost
$78,466Grad Salary
15.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
42.5%
Avg GPA
3.82
Avg SAT
1327
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
1287–1357
Avg Net Price
$13,485
Need-Based Aid
15.5% receive Pell
University of Washington-Seattle Campus The University of Washington-Seattle, founded in 1861, is the flagship institution of the UW system and one of the world's leading public research universities. The 703-acre campus offers comprehensive programs across 16 schools and colleges, with particular strengths in medicine, computer science, and environmental studies. UW is classified as an R1 research university with over $1.5 billion in annual research expenditures. Campus landmarks include the iconic Suzzallo Library and the state-of-the-art Bill & Melinda Gates Center for Computer Science & Engineering. UW's athletic teams, the Huskies, compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Pac-12 Conference.
UW takes pride in its stunning Pacific Northwest location and commitment to public service. The university maintains a 20:1 student-faculty ratio while offering the resources of a major research institution. Recent additions include the new Life Sciences Building and the Hans Rosling Center for Population Health. UW's combination of academic excellence, research impact, and beautiful campus makes it one of the most prestigious public universities on the West Coast.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus Acceptance Rate
University of Washington-Seattle Campus admits roughly 42.5% of its applicant pool, keeping it competitive without being out of reach for a solid student.
What UW-Seattle Admissions Looks For
- Solid, Not Perfect: A GPA trending upward matters more than one that's flat.
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 42.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.82 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.62 – 3.81
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.37
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Washington-Seattle Campus Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 15 for University of Washington-Seattle Campus, with decisions typically out by March 1.
Key Admission Dates
Regular
November 15
Decision by: March 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 15, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
UW-Seattle GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UW-Seattle is 3.82. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.52 and 3.82, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 4.02–4.22.UW-Seattle GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective — this GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.82 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.62 – 3.81
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.42 – 3.61
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.41
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Applies via ApplyWeb or Common App - UW has no platform preference, but doesn't accept the Coalition App.
- All course history is self-reported (CADRs); official transcripts are only required after admission.
- No letters of recommendation, portfolios, or supplemental materials are accepted or reviewed.
- Deadline for autumn admission is November 15; decisions release March 1-15.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at UW-Seattle
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of Washington-Seattle Campus's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus (UW-Seattle) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at UW-Seattle — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into UW-Seattle Without SAT or ACT?
UW-Seattle neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus Average SAT Score: 1327
Admitted students at University of Washington-Seattle Campus average a 1327 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1327 — Competitive
A 1327 average is a respectable, above-average benchmark nationally.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1357 SAT) to stand out. Below average? University of Washington-Seattle Campus allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1287? A retake is worth it at UW-Seattle — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1327 | 1287 | 1357 |
A score under 1287 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1357+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1350
Can I get into University of Washington-Seattle Campus (UW-Seattle) with a 1350 SAT?
At 1350, your SAT is squarely in UW-Seattle's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UW-Seattle
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
Competitive positioning at UW-Seattle means clearing the academic bar comfortably, then using the rest of your application to show genuine fit.
Pick your real first-choice major
Competitive programs like CS, engineering, business, and nursing use Direct-to-Major or Direct-to-College admission. Second-choice majors are never considered for direct admission, so listing a "safer" major first to hedge actually costs you your real shot.
Don't send anything beyond the application
UW explicitly does not want portfolios, extra recommendation letters, CDs, or other supplemental items - they say they'll learn everything they need from your essay responses. Sending extras doesn't help and can look like you missed the instructions.
Confirm the current essay setup before writing
UW's essay requirements have shifted between cycles - some years only their own writing-section prompts count, other years the Common App personal essay is also read. Check admit.washington.edu's writing-section page directly before drafting, since third-party guides don't always agree right now.
Start English proficiency testing early
International applicants need an official TOEFL or IELTS score meeting UW's minimum. Book this well ahead of the November 15 deadline in case a retake is needed.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes assume a strong "safety" second-choice major will still get direct-admit treatment if their first choice is competitive. It won't - only the first-choice major is evaluated for Direct-to-Major/College programs, so a mismatched first choice can cost an otherwise strong applicant a spot in their real target program.
UW-Seattle Profile
Full Name
University of Washington-Seattle Campus (UW-Seattle)
City
Seattle
State
Washington
ZIP Code
98195-4550
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a UW-Seattle Degree Worth It?
At $30,282/year against a $78,466 median graduate salary, UW-Seattle is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $69,800, and graduates see a 3.62% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from UW-Seattle Cost?
Listed tuition runs $30,282/year at UW-Seattle; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $13,485.
At UW-Seattle, 15.5% receive a Pell Grant and 15.8% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming UW-Seattle on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a UW-Seattle Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, UW-Seattle graduates report a median income of $78,466, about 93% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Washington-Seattle Campus. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 1297 | 29 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL | 1304 | 29 |
| Agnes Scott College | Decatur, GA | 1296 | 29 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Washington-Seattle Campus. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield, CT | 1323 | 31 |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | 1323 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Washington-Seattle Campus. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy, CO | 1362 | 30 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
Degree Programs at UW-Seattle
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UW-Seattle Admissions
University of Washington-Seattle Campus graduates earn a moderate median salary of $78,466/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at University of Washington-Seattle Campus is moderate, around $30,282/year; many students supplement with aid.
15.5% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average — University of Washington-Seattle Campus skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus's acceptance rate is 42.5%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of Washington-Seattle Campus students is 3.82, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.52 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of Washington-Seattle Campus. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.42 or below makes admission tougher at University of Washington-Seattle Campus, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1327, and within the 1287–1357 range, keeps you competitive.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus's deadline is November 15, with decisions out by March 1.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus charges an application fee of 90; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before November 15, 2026 — that's University of Washington-Seattle Campus's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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