UW-Seattle vs. Western Washington University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Washington Seattle Campus is larger than Western Washington University based on total student enrollment (56,997 students vs. 14,710 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UW-Seattle vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UW-Seattle or Western Washington University? 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 Western Washington University ($11,784 vs. $24,338).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Washington University are 14.4% lower than at University of Washington Seattle Campus ($15,747 vs. $18,405).
• University of Washington Seattle Campus is 35.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Washington University (about $3,391 more per year; $12,973.00 vs. $9,582.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.5% higher at UW-Seattle than at Western Washington University (about $14,502 more per year; $43,209.00 vs. $28,707.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Washington University than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (93% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Washington Seattle Campus students is 134.1% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($16,156 vs. $6,902).

UW-Seattle vs. Western Washington University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UW-Seattle or Western Washington University? 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 Western Washington University and UW-Seattle.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Washington Seattle Campus (1330) is 60 points higher than at Western Washington University (1270).
• Incoming UW-Seattle students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Western Washington University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Washington Seattle Campus 1200/1453; Western Washington University 1150/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Washington Seattle Campus 27/33; Western Washington University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UW-Seattle - Test-free; Western Washington University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW-Seattle Nov 16, 2026; Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UW-Seattle students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Western Washington University (3.46).
• Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.2%) than UW-Seattle (39.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.6% at UW-Seattle vs. 22.9% at Western Washington University.

UW-Seattle vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UW-Seattle and Western Washington University? 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 Western Washington University's (73%).
• Graduates from University of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of about $17,800 more per year than Western Washington University graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Washington Seattle Campus graduates have a $4,413 lower median loan debt than Western Washington University graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,413).
• Among borrowers, UW-Seattle graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Washington University graduates ($155 vs. $200).
• More UW-Seattle graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Washington University 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.