The University of Washington’s cost is dependent on several factors. Residency status, cost per credit for each academic program, and the approximate cost of campus life are the three significant factors that determine how much a student pays for the academic year.
The University of Washington (UW) tuition rates can be different depending on the program a student chooses to follow. The University of Washington’s living expenses can also add up to the total cost of being a student, so it is best to be prepared before you join the school. This article takes a deep dive into the University of Washington’s financial aid programs and investigates the reasons behind the University of Washington’s rankings.
University of Washington Rankings and Profile
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- US News & World Report Ranking: #59
- Times Higher Education Ranking: #29
The University of Washington, founded in 1861, is one of the oldest and most reputable universities on the West Coast, sitting in the top 60 in US News & World Report’s national university rankings.
UW is a good school by many standards. It has a reputation for being a cutting-edge research institution. It encourages undergraduate students to conduct research and present it at the annual undergraduate research symposium. Its schools of medicine, engineering, and business are highly ranked.
UW’s location as an urban school in downtown Seattle means there is limited on-campus accommodation for students. Hence, students are not required to stay on campus. UW has over 950 student organizations that help foster community and networking among students.
How Much Does the University of Washington Cost?
The University of Washington costs $11,189 per year for Washington residents and $39,687 for non-residents. Additional costs for on-campus students like accommodation, books and supplies, and other living expenses are not factored in. Books and supplies cost $3,780. Residents in graduate degree programs pay $20,535 per year, and non-resident graduate students pay $35,781. International students’ fees can vary depending on the academic program they choose.
All the student fees quoted above and in the table below for the undergraduate level are for first-year full-time students. Actual costs and additional tuition fees for some bachelor’s degrees and graduate programs may be slightly different depending on your specific circumstances.
University of Washington Tuition, Fees, and Other Expenses
| Expense | University of Washington Cost |
|---|---|
| University of Washington Undergraduate In-State Tuition and Fees | $11,189 |
| University of Washington Undergraduate Out-of-State Tuition and Fees | $39,687 |
| University of Washington Graduate In-State Tuition and Fees | $20,535 |
| University of Washington Graduate Out-of-State Tuition and Fees | $35,781 |
| University of Washington Books and Supplies | $3,780 |
UW tuition for permanent residents falls within the average threshold for similar schools. However, an estimate of college costs shows that the non-resident tuition is higher than the average for other schools of similar standards. The total cost of attendance is also impacted by the location of the school.
In essence, Washington State residents will have little or no issue paying for UW, but non-Washington residents may not be so welcomed due to the high cost. Hence, student budgets for out-of-state applicants may need to be extensive to attend this school. Prospective applicants who have financial questions about this can contact the school to find out more.
University of Washington Living Expenses
| Expense | University of Washington Cost |
|---|---|
| University of Washington On-Campus Room and Board | $14,871 |
| University of Washington Off-Campus Room and Board | $14,871 |
UW is an urban school, and this fact reflects in the cost of accommodation and personal expenses. The location is also a determining factor in the average price paid for on- and off-campus accommodation, as reflected in the table above. UW students pay more for accommodation due to this compared to rural schools or even other urban schools.
Cost of Living in Seattle, Washington
The cost of living in Seattle, Washington, is high. In fact, it’s 53 percent higher than the national average. The high cost of living directly results from the high cost of real estate. Housing expenses in Seattle are over 100 percent higher than the national average. Other aspects of living, including transportation services, are also higher than the national average.
Housing is the major contributor to the high cost of living, which is not unexpected, considering Seattle’s status as one of the most important cities on the West Coast. The clean tech industry thrives in Seattle, followed by manufacturing. Maritime also contributes to the Seattle economy due to its access to the Pacific Ocean and housing one of the biggest ports in the US.
University of Washington Financial Aid Statistics
Students at the University of Washington receive about $400 million in financial aid annually. During the 2020-21 academic year, students received a total of $247,545,835 in grants and scholarships, and first-year students alone received $44,761,306 of that. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in 2020-21, 54 percent of new students received aid.
About 3,742 first-year students receive at least one form of financial aid, and 2,816 of them get grants or scholarships. About 1,874 freshmen currently benefit from federal grants, 1,230 from Pell grants, and 1,865 from other federal grants.
Other forms of financial aid come from state and local governments, student loan aid, federal student loans, and other student loans. UW also provides financial aid through a wide array of scholarships and grants, with 2,447 students benefiting from them in 2020-21.
As stated above, 54 percent of students admitted in 2021-22 received at least one form of financial aid, 41 percent in the form of grants or scholarships, 27 percent federal grants, 18 percent Pell grants, and 27 percent other federal grants. Around 25 percent received state and local government grants, and 35 percent received institutional grants.
Does the University of Washington Accept FAFSA?
Yes, the University of Washington accepts the FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form that college students fill out to ascertain their eligibility for financial aid. It is also used to determine the level of financial aid a student would need to continue their education.
A FAFSA application is the essential criterion for federal student aid. Other requirements include US citizenship, a high school diploma or GED, satisfactory academic progress, having a valid social security number, and more.
Does the University of Washington Accept GI Bill Benefits?
Yes, the University of Washington accepts GI Bill benefits, which help veterans and their families pay for college or training programs depending on their post-9/11 eligibility. Prospective students can confirm their eligibility from the office of veteran assistance’s official website or the GI Bill comparison tool of the office of veteran assistance.
Is the University of Washington a Yellow Ribbon School?
No, the University of Washington is not a Yellow Ribbon school. The Yellow Ribbon program helps veterans pay for a private school, foreign graduate school, or an out-of-state school. The University of Washington is not part of this program. However, veterans can get full financial aid from the GI Bill program, provided they are qualified.
University of Washington Scholarships and Grants
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). An FSEOG is awarded to students whose family incomes are insufficient to pay for college. FSEOG is paid directly to schools, which determines who is qualified and how much is due. Eligibility is based on income and other factors from the FAFSA.
- Pell Grant. A Pell grant is one of various federal grants. It is offered to students who display an exceptional need for financial assistance in pursuing their studies. The amount awarded to tuition-exempt students is determined by the student’s financial condition, cost of attendance, and other factors.
- The Purple and Gold Scholarship. The Purple and Gold Scholarship is given to US students, including refugees and undocumented residents. The scholarship is not need-based. Instead, it is based on academic performance and leadership, activities, achievements, and other factors. Non-residents of the US are also automatically considered for the scholarship.
- Academic Scholarship. Academic scholarship programs are provided directly by the UW Office of Financial Aid. Washington State residents who display substantial academic achievement and require financial assistance have access to these scholarships. The scholarship is awarded to approximately 600 students yearly, is from privately donated funds, and is renewable for a second year.
- UW Undergraduate Academic Excellence Awards. This scholarship is awarded to approximately 100 first-year Washington State residents in the form of a partial tuition waiver. Eligibility is determined based on academic merit and financial need.
- Presidential Scholar. This scholarship is offered to Washington residents who show exceptional leadership, community engagement, and promise. This $10,000 award is renewable for four years.
- UW Diversity Scholarship. This scholarship is given to high-achieving, high-need UW first-year students from communities that are underserved in academia. The $10,000 scholarship is renewable for four years.
- UW Honors Program. The UW honors program is a collection of scholarships from alumni, faculties, private individuals, and corporate organizations awarded to students who display good academic standing. Students from the first year to the third year are eligible.
University of Washington Average Net Price by Income
| Family Income | University of Washington Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $4,516 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $5,082 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $7,271 |
| $75,001to $110,000 | $13,359 |
| $110,001 and up | $23,292 |
The net price by income is determined by calculating the program cost of tuition and expenses against the wide array of financial aid and scholarships available to each family’s income range. A parent’s or guardian’s income is considered, but independent students are evaluated based on their personal income.
How to Calculate University of Washington Cost
The cost of attending the University of Washington is calculated by using your expected family contribution (EFC). EFC is the amount the federal government expects you and your family to contribute to your education based on your parent’s or guardian’s income range as a dependent or personal income as an independent.
After that, filling out the FAFSA is necessary to arrive at cost estimates. The income range you fall into determines the amount of financial aid you are qualified for to offset the tuition and living costs. The high cost for out-of-state students can be offset by them becoming permanent residents of a state to enjoy reduced tuition rates and scholarships available to residents.
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Prospective students and parents can use the UW net price calculator to calculate the money they would be paying to attend the University of Washington. Provided the variables presented are correct, the net cost calculators will suggest the type and amount of financial aid the student is eligible for and the expected annual tuition cost estimates after that. Students may also need to provide proof of income earned by them or their parents.
Is the Cost of College Too High?
No, the cost of college is not too high when financial aid is considered. As displayed in the table above, the fee a student must pay per income range is significantly reduced. Those figures are irrespective of non-need-based scholarships. If you maintain an excellent academic record, you may end up paying even less of your expected annual tuition cost during the academic year. However, there are still a lot of prospective students who consider that college is expensive, which is a factor that may deter them from attending.
University of Washington Student Debt
- Students Receiving Federal Loans: 22%
- Median Debt After Graduation: $15,000
- Average Monthly Loan Payment: $150
About 22 percent of UW’s entire student population receives federal loans as part of their financial aid. Student loans help students fulfill their education ambitions but put a burden on them after graduation because they are tied up in student loan debt for years.
However, it’s a good thing that the median federal student loan of UW graduates is way lower than the average amount a public school student borrows, which is $30,030, according to the Education Data Initiative. The low median student loan amount is not unrelated to the numerous financial aid options available to UW students.
University of Washington Tuition Payment Plans
Prospective students of the University of Washington can pay their tuition through the Investment Savings plans or Prepaid Tuition plans under the Washington 529 plans. The two plans are available through DreamAhead College Investment Plan and the Guaranteed Education Tuition Program (GET), respectively.
The plans allow parents to choose the investment or the prepaid option when considering payment options for their child’s college education.
University of Washington Graduate Salaries and Outcomes
About 59.8 percent of recent UW graduates have secured full-time employment after graduation. An additional 15.9 percent are in graduate school, while 6.2 percent are employed part time. In total, 81.9 percent are employed or in higher education after graduation.
The top five employers of these UW graduates are the University of Washington, Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, and Deloitte. The median earning of UW graduates is $68,925, according to the US Department of Education College Scorecard, with about 81 percent earning more than high school graduates.
How to Save Money in College
- Live with a relative. One of the most significant ways to save money in college is by getting free accommodation. Accommodation forms a huge chunk of the cost of college, so offsetting it will take a substantial amount of financial pressure off you as a student.
- Apply for scholarships and grants. This is a no-brainer. There are numerous scholarships around, but they won’t jump at you unless you apply for them. In many cases, scholarships are very competitive, so you must put your best foot forward. Also, there is financial aid for online college, which is offered by several academic institutions.
- Don’t forget to fill out the FAFSA every year. This is the most crucial step in applying for federal grants and some other grants and scholarships. Some grants and scholarships are recurrent, so filling out the FAFSA form every year ensures you continue to benefit and reduce your financial burden.
- Minimize spending on textbooks. Textbooks can be very expensive, but they are part of college necessities. You can buy only essential textbooks and use the library for the rest. After you are done with a textbook, resell it to recoup part of the money spent on it. This way, you can get some money to buy a new essential textbook.
- Look out for student discounts. Student discounts are everywhere, especially in a college town. Look out for student discounts before making a purchase. In cases where they are not expressly stated, you can make an effort to ask for one. There’s no harm in asking.
Is the University of Washington Affordable?
Yes, the University of Washington is affordable if you pay attention and benefit from the over $400 million in student financial aid every year by applying for grants and scholarships. UW is a top school located in an urban setting, so the cost and program fees may appear high. However, it’s not unaffordable, even to low-income earners.
The secret is maintaining high academic performance consistently, filling out the FAFSA form every year, and looking out for financial aid opportunities as the grants and scholarships are tightly contested.
University of Washington Cost FAQ
The University of Washington operates a quarter-based system, so costs are broken down into quarters for the selective and core courses the students attend. The cost per quarter at the undergraduate level is $4,081 for residents, which covers a 15-credit-hour course load. Non-residents will pay 13,580 per quarter.
No, the University of Washington is not expensive. The cost of attendance is not very different from other schools of similar status, and there are numerous grants and scholarships available to students to help them pay for college. Applicants also have access to a student services advisor in case they need help choosing the right financial aid package for them.
The cost of attending the University of Washington per year is $11,189 for Washington residents and $39,687 for non-residents. The cost can be significantly reduced with financial aid. The UW financial aid office provides students with all the necessary information they need, especially if they are looking for scholarships and grants for low-income families.
Yes, the University of Washington is a good school. It is one of the top 60 national universities, according to US News & World Report. It also boasts of a strong alumni network, good campus health services, research and other student activities, and a good reputation. UW students attending graduate degree programs are sure to get some of the best jobs that pay well just a few months after graduation, except in cases where they choose not to take up employment.
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