University of Washington – Seattle Tuition and Fees

University of Washington - Seattle Tuition and Fees

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    By Kelly Boyer Sagert

    (Last Updated – 06/2025)

    The University of Washington (UW) in Seattle is a leading public research university founded in 1861. Located in the heart of Seattle, it offers a vibrant campus with stunning views of Mount Rainier and nearby Lake Washington. UW is renowned for its innovation, academic excellence, and strong tie to tech industries, attracting students and faculty from around the world.

    Total Cost of Attendance

    The University of Washington (UW) tuition in 2024-25 for state residents was $12,973. This is slightly higher than the national average of $11,260 for in-state tuition at public universities. For residents of other states, UW tuition was $43,209, which is well above the national average for out-of-state tuition of $29,150.

    Tuition, however, is only part of the total cost of attending college. Here’s a look at other expenses students can expect when attending the University of Washington.

    Costs for 2024-25

    Student Type

    In-State

    Out-of-State

    Tuition & Fees

    $12,973

    $43,209

    Books & Supplies

    $1,480

    $1,480

    Room & Board (on campus)

    $18,405

    $18,405

    Other Expenses

    $3,027

    $3,027

    Total Cost of Attendance

    $35,305

    $65,541

    Financial Aid

    A little over half of undergraduates (55%) receive some form of financial aid to help cover the UW tuition and other costs. This may be scholarships, grants, or student loans, or a combination of these.

    Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need or merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

    The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

    •  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

    •  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

    •  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

    •  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

    Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state and federal and school deadlines may differ.

    You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

    •  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

    •  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

    •  SoFi Scholarship Finder – Use our handy tool to streamline your search by award type, location, level of study and more.

    Private Student Loans

    Many undergraduates tap student loans to help pay the University of Washington tuition and other costs: 19% take out federal loans and 1% get private student loans (with an average amount of $18,848).

    Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or -affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

    What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

    Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, since it generally has better rates and terms.

    If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your tuition payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

    Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

    Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

    The University of Washington cost of attendance for four years — including tuition and fees, room and board, books, and other expenses — is $141,220 for in-state students (based on 2024-25 numbers). By comparison, the national average at public universities for in-state students is $115,36 for four years.

    For out-of-state residents, the four-year cost for attending UW is $262,164. This is above the national average of $186,920 for out-of-state cost of attendance.

    This student loan and scholarship information may be valuable as you research schools and costs.

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    Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

    Costs for 2024-2025

    University of Washington undergraduate tuition and fees for the 2024-25 academic years were $12,973 for in-state students, a 2.6% increase over 2023-34. The tuition and fees for out-of-state students were $43,209, a 2.9% over 2023-34.

    Graduate Tuition and Fees

    Costs for 2024-25

    •   Average graduate tuition (in-state): $17,688

    •   Average graduate tuition (out-of-state): $31,707

    •   Fees (in-state/out-of-state): $1,104

    Tuition and fees for graduate students at UW for 2024-25 averaged $18,792 for in-state students and $32,811 for out-of-state students. The average cost of graduate school tuition and fees in the U.S. is $22,430 per year.

    There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

    Cost per Credit Hour

    If you take 15 credits per semester, the cost per credit hour at UW comes out to $432 for Washington residents and $1,440 for nonresidents.

    Campus Housing Expenses

    While UW in Seattle doesn’t require freshmen to live on campus, four out of five first-year students choose to do so. Housing options include traditional residence halls and fully furnished apartments located on or near campus.

    Costs for 2024-25

    •   Housing and food expenses (on/off campus): $18,405

    •   Other living expenses (on/off campus): $3,027

    Total living expenses for 2024-25 were estimated at $21,432, both for students who lived on campus as well as those who lived off campus.

    University of Washington Acceptance Rate

    Fall 2023

    Number of Applications

    Number Accepted

    Percentage Accepted

    62,428

    26,844

    43%

    The University of Washington acceptance rate is 43%, which makes the school moderately selective.

    Admission Requirements

    If you’re interested in applying to UW as a freshman, here are the steps involved:

    Required:

    •   Fill out the application (using ApplyWeb or the Common App).

    •   Self-report your courses (a minimum level of preparation in six subject areas must be met for admission).

    •   Complete UW essay questions (the Common App personal essay is not reviewed).

    •   Provide additional information about yourself or your circumstances (optional).

    •   Choose your major.

    •   Send SAT or ACT scores (optional)

    •   Pay a nonrefundable application fee of $80

    Applications for the Fall semester are due November 15; the notification period is March 1-15. The UW does not participate in early decision or early action admission.

    SAT and ACT Scores

    The UW admission process is primarily test-blind. This means that when reading your application, the reviewers will not see your test scores, if provided. However, high test scores (1400 or above on the SAT and 31 or above on the ACT) may be considered for a handful of students who may not otherwise be admitted.

    Graduation Rate

    The vast majority of UW students complete their degree in four years. But some students take longer. Here are the graduation rates for students who began at the school in 2017.

    •  4 years: 71%

    •  6 years: 84%

    Post-Graduation Median Earnings

    On average, UW graduates earn an annual salary of $89,000. This is higher than the average projected starting salary for the class of 2025 at the bachelor’s degree level, which is $68,680.

    Bottom Line

    The University of Washington in Seattle consistently ranks highly among national universities, both public and private. For in-state students, UW is also generally considered a good value. Out-of-state tuition can be significantly higher, though, potentially making it less cost-effective compared to other institutions. Fortunately, students who need help covering the University of Washington tuition and other costs may qualify for financial assistance in the form of grants, scholarships, and federal student loans.

    If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

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    SoFi Private Student Loans
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