OSU vs. UW-Seattle

Comparable Facts

Compare Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR with University of Washington Seattle Campus in Seattle, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Washington Seattle Campus is larger than OSU based on total student enrollment (56,997 students vs. 37,163 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oregon State University is located in Corvallis, OR (Small City setting); University of Washington Seattle Campus is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• Oregon State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Washington Seattle Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oregon State University 18:1; University of Washington Seattle Campus 20:1.

OSU vs. UW-Seattle Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OSU or UW-Seattle? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Washington Seattle Campus than OSU ($11,784 vs. $22,467).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oregon State University are 11% lower than at University of Washington Seattle Campus ($16,386 vs. $18,405).
• Oregon State University is 11% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Seattle (about $1,427 more per year; $14,400.00 vs. $12,973.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.1% higher at UW-Seattle than at Oregon State University (about $5,019 more per year; $43,209.00 vs. $38,190.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oregon State University than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (90% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Washington Seattle Campus students is 43.9% larger than aid received by Oregon State University students ($16,156 vs. $11,230).

OSU vs. UW-Seattle Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OSU or UW-Seattle? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UW-Seattle and OSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Washington Seattle Campus (1330) is 60 points higher than at OSU (1270).
• Incoming UW-Seattle students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at OSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oregon State University 1140/1400; University of Washington Seattle Campus 1200/1453.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oregon State University 24/31; University of Washington Seattle Campus 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); UW-Seattle - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: OSU Feb 1, 2027; UW-Seattle Nov 16, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UW-Seattle students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at OSU (3.61).
• OSU has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than UW-Seattle (39.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at OSU vs. 26.6% at UW-Seattle.

OSU vs. UW-Seattle Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OSU and UW-Seattle? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Washington Seattle Campus's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Oregon State University's (61%).
• Graduates from University of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than OSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $53,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Washington Seattle Campus graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than OSU graduates ($15,000 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, UW-Seattle graduates have an estimated $87 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OSU graduates ($155 vs. $242).
• More UW-Seattle graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OSU students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.