The University of Washington ranks among the world’s leading universities, and rightly so.

Our high-achieving students, top-rated programs, award-winning faculty and groundbreaking research are the primary ingredients of an elite institution of higher learning.

Yet the UW never has been and never will be elitist. It’s just not in our DNA. The University of Washington has a long-standing commitment to access and opportunity. Our students come from all walks of life and all socio-economic backgrounds, but they have one thing in common — the desire for a world-class education.

For too many of our state’s students, college seems far beyond their financial reach. Though they are academically qualified, many talented high school students in Washington state do not attend college because they believe they cannot afford the tuition.

That’s why we’ve created the Husky Promise, a guarantee to the citizens of Washington that those who come from low- and lower-middle-income families can gain a world-class education at any of our three campuses — Seattle, Tacoma or Bothell — and not pay a penny from their own pockets for their tuition and fees. The Husky Promise is a natural extension of what we hold dear as a public institution — educational opportunities for everyone, regardless of their economic status. It is our way of ensuring that the UW remains broadly accessible to all who live in Washington state.

Our message to the children of our state is that it does not take a certain income level to get into the University of Washington; it takes commitment, brainpower and a willingness to work hard. And if they can do that, we will make sure that they leave the UW with an outstanding education and zero tuition debt.

That’s our promise.

Mark A. Emmert (’75)
President