UW-Seattle vs. Whitman College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Washington Seattle Campus is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (56,997 students vs. 1,561 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Washington Seattle Campus is located in Seattle, WA (Large City setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
• University of Washington Seattle Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Washington Seattle Campus 20:1; Whitman College 10:1.

UW-Seattle vs. Whitman College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UW-Seattle or Whitman College? 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 Whitman College ($11,784 vs. $37,633).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 18.1% lower than at University of Washington Seattle Campus ($15,080 vs. $18,405).
• Whitman College is 393.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Seattle (about $51,077 more per year; $64,050.00 vs. $12,973.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.2% higher at Whitman College than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (about $20,841 more per year; $64,050.00 vs. $43,209.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whitman College than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (94% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whitman College students is 150.6% larger than aid received by University of Washington Seattle Campus students ($40,489 vs. $16,156).

UW-Seattle vs. Whitman College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UW-Seattle or Whitman College? 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 Whitman College and UW-Seattle.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whitman College (1400) is 70 points higher than at UW-Seattle (1330).
• Incoming Whitman College 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 Washington Seattle Campus 1200/1453; Whitman College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Washington Seattle Campus 27/33; Whitman College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UW-Seattle - Test-free; Whitman College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW-Seattle Nov 16, 2026; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UW-Seattle students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Whitman College (3.68).
• UW-Seattle has a higher acceptance rate (39.1%) than Whitman College (38.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.6% at UW-Seattle vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

UW-Seattle vs. Whitman College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UW-Seattle and Whitman College? 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).

• Whitman College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than University of Washington Seattle Campus's (80%).
• Graduates from University of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Whitman College 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 $2,500 lower median loan debt than Whitman College graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, UW-Seattle graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whitman College graduates ($155 vs. $180).
• More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UW-Seattle students, three years after graduation. (93% 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.