When it comes to value, the University of Washington is recognized for providing a great return on investment for students.
For Washington state residents, the annual undergraduate tuition is approximately $13,873. This cost is significantly lower than our peers in U.S. News & World Report’s Top 25 Public Research Universities, making the UW an attractive option for in-state students.
Is the UW affordable?
Yes! The University of Washington is committed to making higher education accessible and affordable for all students. One of the most impressive aspects of UW’s affordability is the financial aid available to students. In the 2024-25 academic year, UW undergraduates received approximately $382 million in grants. This substantial financial support helps ensure that students from various economic backgrounds can afford a quality education. Additionally, 70% of all UW undergraduates graduate with no known debt, and those who do borrow graduate with less debt than the national average.
But don’t just take our word for it. Learn more about the journeys of several of our students who found affordability central to their success:
Beyond a shadow of a debt
Through scholarships, campus jobs and careful planning, UW students are building pathways to graduation with less debt and more real-world experience, demonstrating the value and accessibility of a UW education.
Financial Aid programs
The Office of Student Financial Aid helps ensure that students can pursue their academic goals without the burden of excessive debt. The office has a wide range of financial programs that students can take advantage of to pay for all or part of their expenses. Students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) to determine their eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid.
Scholarships
UW offers numerous scholarships based on merit, need, and other criteria. These scholarships are designed to recognize academic achievements and support students with financial need.
Grants
UW provides a range of grant opportunities for students who qualify. In the 2024-25 academic year, undergraduates received approximately $382 million in grants. Grants are typically need-based and do not need to be repaid.
Work Study
The Federal Work-Study program provides part-time employment opportunities for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for their education while gaining valuable work experience.
Loans
Federal and private student loans are available to help cover the cost of tuition, fees, and other educational expenses. These loans must be repaid with interest after graduation.
More opportunities
The Office of Financial Aid has many more programs. Additional programs are available for veterans, those needing childcare assistance, and those in need of non-tuition assistance.
The Husky Promise
The Husky Promise is our guarantee that we will not let financial challenges stand in the way of Washington residents’ ability to discover their potential and achieve a UW degree. It assures that full tuition and standard fees will be covered by grant or scholarship support for eligible students. You will not have to pay back these grants and scholarships, and if tuition increases, your grants will increase as well. The Husky Promise ensures that the UW remains affordable and accessible for Washington residents. The Husky Promise is available to UW students at all three campuses — Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma — who are Washington state residents and meet the eligibility criteria for the Pell Grant. It is also important to note that the Husky Promise is limited to 12 quarters of eligibility at the UW. In 2024-25, 22% of UW undergraduates from Washington (approximately 10,234) were eligible for the Husky Promise, which covers the tuition and fees of students with financial need.
students who received support from the Husky Promise
awarded in institutional grants and scholarships
students who received funds from the Washington College Grant
The Husky Promise covers tuition and standard fees through a combination of federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships. If a student’s eligibility for federal and state grants, such as the Pell Grant or Washington College Grant, does not cover the full cost of tuition, UW will make up the difference with institutional grants or scholarships. Undocumented Washington residents can also be eligible for the Husky Promise even if they do not receive a Pell Grant.
Living in Seattle
The price of housing in Seattle is a big contributor to the high cost of living here, with a one-bedroom apartment costing an average of nearly $1,920 per month in the city. We’re able to provide on-campus residence hall housing to students for $636–$1,821 per month, depending on room type (the lowest for a four-person suite in Hansee Hall and the highest for studio apartments in the new buildings).
Most students pay about $1,266 per month for their room (double with private bath). Utilities and amenities are also included in HFS housing, helping mitigate your living expenses.
We’re able to keep our housing costs lower than the city average because we put a lot of thought into ways to keep construction and maintenance costs lower for the new buildings, and because our remaining legacy buildings were paid off long ago.
Building to high environmental standards helps keep utility costs lower, and the traditional shared-room design of residence halls helps keep our living density high for the spaces we have available to build, keeping your living space less expensive.
Return on investment
The University of Washington’s Seattle campus has been recognized for providing a great return on investment for students. We placed #10 on the list of Top 20 Best Schools for Internships and #14 on the list of Top 20 Best Career Placement, highlighting the career training opportunities and support services available to students.
According to College Factual, graduates from UW Seattle take approximately 3.6 years following graduation to break even on the investment. This means that within a few years of entering the workforce, graduates can expect to recoup the costs of their education.
Moreover, the long-term value of a UW degree is significant. Graduates from UW tend to earn higher salaries compared to those with only a high school diploma. Specific areas of study can significantly impact these figures. Based on research by College Simply, the following in-demand fields show significant earnings:
- Health care, treatment, and diagnostic graduates have a median starting salary of $114,900.
- Engineering graduates have a median starting salary of $112,300.
- Computer science graduates have a median starting salary of $92,000.
The University of Washington offers a strong return on investment through competitive starting salaries, robust career support services, and recognition for its internship and career placement programs. These factors contribute to the overall affordability and value of a UW education.