Public
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Bothell, Washington
91.8% Acceptance Rate
University of Washington-Bothell Campus — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
91.8%Acceptance Rate
3.52Avg GPA
1376Avg SAT
33Avg ACT
$24,462Annual Cost
$78,466Grad Salary
28.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
91.8%
Avg GPA
3.52
Avg SAT
1376
Avg ACT
33
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
1170–1470
ACT Middle 50%
32–34
Avg Net Price
$10,898
Need-Based Aid
28.4% receive Pell
University of Washington-Bothell Campus The University of Washington-Bothell, established in 1990, is a comprehensive campus offering undergraduate and graduate programs in the Puget Sound region. The 128-acre campus features modern facilities including the Discovery Hall for STEM programs and the Sarah Simonds Green Conservatory. UW Bothell maintains a 19:1 student-faculty ratio with an emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and community engagement. The campus is particularly known for its strong programs in business, education, and environmental studies that serve the region's workforce needs.
UW Bothell takes pride in its diverse student body and commitment to access and excellence. Students benefit from small class sizes and personalized attention within the UW system. Campus life includes NCAA Division II athletics and over 60 student organizations. Recent additions include the new STEM building and collaborative learning spaces. UW Bothell's combination of academic quality, innovative programs, and beautiful Pacific Northwest setting makes it a dynamic educational institution.
University of Washington-Bothell Campus Acceptance Rate
University of Washington-Bothell Campus (UWB) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 91.8% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 91.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.52 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.32 – 3.51
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.07
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Washington-Bothell Campus Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for University of Washington-Bothell Campus is November 15 for Early Action applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 99 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 15
Regular Decision
January 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 28, 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.
UWB GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UWB is 3.52. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.22 and 3.52? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.72–3.92.UWB GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.52 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.32 – 3.51
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.12 – 3.31
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.11
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- UW Bothell has a distinct application and admissions process from UW Seattle; roughly 90% acceptance rate makes it considerably less selective than the Seattle flagship.
- Uses the standard Common App personal essay (open topic, can reuse an existing essay) rather than UW Seattle's separate, UW-specific required essay.
- Activities list explicitly invites family caregiving responsibilities or a high school job as legitimate entries, not just traditional extracurriculars.
- Early Action deadline (January 15, non-binding) is separate from Regular Decision (November 15 for autumn quarter); decisions released in stages (January for RD, March for EA).
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
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 UWB
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Washington-Bothell Campus's verified institutional data
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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-Bothell Campus (UWB) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if UWB is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into UWB Without SAT or ACT?
UWB considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Washington-Bothell Campus Average SAT Score: 1376
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of Washington-Bothell Campus is 1376 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1376 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean, without being in elite-tier territory.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1470 SAT or 34 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Washington-Bothell Campus allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1170, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at UWB. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 690 | 610 | 770 |
| SAT Reading | 630 | 560 | 700 |
| SAT Composite | 1376 | 1170 | 1470 |
Below 1170, you're behind most admitted students; at 1470 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1400
Can I get into University of Washington-Bothell Campus (UWB) with a 1450 SAT?
A 1450 SAT puts you ahead of most of UWB's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
University of Washington-Bothell Campus (UWB) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at UWB is 33.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 33 — Very Competitive
An average of 33 is well above the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 31 | 27 | 34 |
| ACT English | 34 | 32 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 33 | 32 | 34 |
Can I get into University of Washington-Bothell Campus with a 34 ACT?
A 34 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of UWB's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at UWB.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UWB
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
UWB's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Apply Directly to UW Bothell - This Is a Separate Application From UW Seattle, Not a Backup Option
UW Bothell has its own distinct application, admissions review, and acceptance rate (roughly 90%) separate from the flagship UW Seattle campus - applying to one does not automatically consider you for the other. If Bothell is genuinely your target campus (not a fallback if Seattle rejects you), apply to it directly and specifically rather than assuming a single UW application covers all three Washington campuses.
Write Your Personal Essay Through the Common App Platform, Not a UW-Specific Portal
Unlike UW Seattle, which requires its own separate essay answered only within the UW's own application system (not the Common App writing section), UW Bothell explicitly uses the general Common App personal essay and allows you to submit one you've already written or one addressing a different prompt. Reuse a strong, already-written personal essay for UW Bothell rather than assuming you need a UW-specific essay like Seattle applicants do.
Use the Activities List to Surface Family Caregiving or Job Responsibilities as Legitimate Achievements
UW Bothell's activities section explicitly invites students to list "family caregiving responsibilities or a high school job" as a category alongside leadership and academic achievement - an explicit acknowledgment that unconventional forms of responsibility count. If your high school years were shaped more by work or caregiving than by clubs, list these directly and substantively rather than downplaying them in favor of a thinner traditional extracurricular list.
Consider Early Action (January 15) as a Genuine Low-Risk Option Since It's Non-Binding
UW Bothell's Early Action deadline (January 15, decision by March) is non-binding and separate from the November 15 Regular Decision deadline - meaning you can apply early for a faster decision without committing to enroll if accepted. If you're ready with your materials well before November, applying in the Early Action round costs you nothing in flexibility while getting you an earlier answer.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes assume that being part of the University of Washington system automatically means one shared application process across UW Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma - it doesn't. Each campus reviews its own applications with its own essay requirements, and a strong UW Seattle essay written for that campus's specific internal prompt won't necessarily map cleanly onto UW Bothell's more open-ended Common App essay expectations, so applicants targeting multiple UW campuses should not assume one essay serves all three.
UWB Profile
Full Name
University of Washington-Bothell Campus (UWB)
City
Bothell
State
Washington
ZIP Code
98011-8246
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a UWB Degree Worth It?
At $24,462/year against a $78,466 median graduate salary, UWB is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $69,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.62%.
How much does a degree from UWB Cost?
The sticker price is $24,462/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $10,898.
28.4% of students receive a Pell Grant and 20.2% take federal loans at UWB. File your FAFSA early and list UWB as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a UWB Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $78,466. That's 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-Bothell Campus. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1344 | 31 |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy, CO | 1362 | 30 |
| University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | 1338 | 31 |
| Wheaton College | Wheaton, IL | 1363 | 30 |
| Centre College | Danville, KY | 1345 | 29 |
| Bentley University | Waltham, MA | 1340 | 31 |
| Clark University | Worcester, MA | 1339 | 32 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Washington-Bothell Campus. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| St. John's College | Annapolis, MD | 1381 | 31 |
| St Olaf College | Northfield, MN | 1373 | 30 |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick | New Brunswick, NJ | 1383 | 31 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Washington-Bothell Campus. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 1433 | 33 |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | 1416 | 32 |
Degree Programs at UWB
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UWB Admissions
Median graduate earnings at University of Washington-Bothell Campus run about $78,466 a year.
At about $24,462 a year, University of Washington-Bothell Campus is on the more affordable end.
About 28.4% receive a Pell Grant at University of Washington-Bothell Campus. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 91.8%, University of Washington-Bothell Campus's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of Washington-Bothell Campus average a 3.52 GPA.
University of Washington-Bothell Campus doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.22 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.12, University of Washington-Bothell Campus becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at University of Washington-Bothell Campus — aim above 1376, ideally within the 1170–1470 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for University of Washington-Bothell Campus is November 15 for Early Action applicants.
The application fee is 60. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is February 28, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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