UC Berkeley vs. UW-Seattle

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Berkeley in Berkeley, CA 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 UC Berkeley based on total student enrollment (56,997 students vs. 45,882 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); University of Washington Seattle Campus is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• University of California Berkeley 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 California Berkeley 18:1; University of Washington Seattle Campus 20:1.

UC Berkeley vs. UW-Seattle Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley 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 UC Berkeley ($11,784 vs. $16,538).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Washington Seattle Campus are 22.5% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($18,405 vs. $23,750).
• University of California Berkeley is 26% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Seattle (about $3,374 more per year; $16,347.00 vs. $12,973.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17% higher at UC Berkeley than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (about $7,338 more per year; $50,547.00 vs. $43,209.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Berkeley than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (53% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 83.3% larger than aid received by University of Washington Seattle Campus students ($29,608 vs. $16,156).

UC Berkeley vs. UW-Seattle Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Berkeley 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 UC Berkeley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 90 points higher than at UW-Seattle (1330).
• Incoming UC Berkeley students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at UW-Seattle).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; University of Washington Seattle Campus 1200/1453.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; University of Washington Seattle Campus 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; UW-Seattle - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; UW-Seattle Nov 16, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at UW-Seattle (3.82).
• UW-Seattle has a higher acceptance rate (39.1%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 26.6% at UW-Seattle.

UC Berkeley vs. UW-Seattle Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley 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 California Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than University of Washington Seattle Campus's (80%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than UW-Seattle graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $800 lower median loan debt than UW-Seattle graduates ($14,200 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW-Seattle graduates ($146 vs. $155).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UW-Seattle students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 76%)

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.