CU Boulder vs. UW-Seattle

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO 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 CU Boulder based on total student enrollment (56,997 students vs. 38,799 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); University of Washington Seattle Campus is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder 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: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; University of Washington Seattle Campus 20:1.

CU Boulder vs. UW-Seattle Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder ($11,784 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Washington Seattle Campus are 0.3% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($18,405 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 20.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Seattle (about $2,693 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $12,973.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at CU Boulder than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (about $1,709 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $43,209.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Boulder than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (53% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Washington Seattle Campus students is 43.9% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($16,156 vs. $11,225).

CU Boulder vs. UW-Seattle Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 10 points higher than at UW-Seattle (1330).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at UW-Seattle).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; University of Washington Seattle Campus 1200/1453.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; University of Washington Seattle Campus 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; UW-Seattle - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; UW-Seattle Nov 16, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UW-Seattle students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at CU Boulder (3.68).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than UW-Seattle (39.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 26.6% at UW-Seattle.

CU Boulder vs. UW-Seattle Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder 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 University of Colorado Boulder's (68%).
• Graduates from University of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than CU Boulder graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Washington Seattle Campus graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than CU Boulder graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, UW-Seattle graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU Boulder graduates ($155 vs. $201).
• More UW-Seattle graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Boulder students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 73%)

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.