Washington State vs. UW-Seattle

Comparable Facts

Compare Washington State University in Pullman, WA 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 Washington State based on total student enrollment (56,997 students vs. 25,685 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington State University is located in Pullman, WA (Distant Town setting); University of Washington Seattle Campus is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• Washington 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: Washington State University 15:1; University of Washington Seattle Campus 20:1.

Washington State vs. UW-Seattle Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Washington State 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 Washington State ($11,784 vs. $18,171).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington State University are 26% lower than at University of Washington Seattle Campus ($13,622 vs. $18,405).
• Washington State University is 3.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Seattle (about $418 more per year; $13,391.00 vs. $12,973.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.3% higher at UW-Seattle than at Washington State University (about $13,259 more per year; $43,209.00 vs. $29,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington State University than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (83% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Washington Seattle Campus students is 48.4% larger than aid received by Washington State University students ($16,156 vs. $10,886).

Washington State vs. UW-Seattle Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Washington State 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 Washington State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Washington Seattle Campus (1330) is 210 points higher than at Washington State (1120).
• Incoming UW-Seattle students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 23 at Washington State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington State University 1020/1210; University of Washington Seattle Campus 1200/1453.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington State University 20/26; University of Washington Seattle Campus 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Washington State - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); UW-Seattle - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: Washington State Jan 31, 2027; UW-Seattle Nov 16, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UW-Seattle students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Washington State (3.5).
• Washington State has a higher acceptance rate (86.6%) than UW-Seattle (39.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at Washington State vs. 26.6% at UW-Seattle.

Washington State vs. UW-Seattle Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Washington State 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 Washington State University's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than Washington State graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $54,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Washington Seattle Campus graduates have a $5,429 lower median loan debt than Washington State graduates ($15,000 vs. $20,429).
• Among borrowers, UW-Seattle graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington State graduates ($155 vs. $211).
• More UW-Seattle graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Washington State students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 71%)

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.