Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Washington-Seattle Campus #72 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median $82,515 four years after enrollment, placing University of Washington-Seattle Campus in the 87.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Washington-Seattle Campus #159 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with Computer Science ranked #16 nationally for early-career earnings — a program-level anchor for the university's strong overall return profile. Students at University of Washington-Seattle Campus earn about $11,816 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 88.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university's return on investment ranking reflects strong graduate earnings across a broad program mix, with Computer Science — posting median $175,616 four years after enrollment — as one of the clearest drivers of that performance.
Azimuth ranks University of Washington-Seattle Campus #72 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Seattle, WA, University of Washington-Seattle Campus enrolls roughly 31,942 undergraduates. Retention is 94.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 85.2%, placing the institution among the strongest nationally for converting enrollment into degree completion. Where University of Washington-Seattle Campus performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of Washington-Seattle Campus #159 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 89.3 percentile. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $82,515, and graduates earn about $11,816 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Washington-Seattle Campus in the 88.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The dominant program family is Social Sciences, though strength in engineering, computer science, and health fields drives much of the earnings performance. The composite is shaped by a mixed profile across the remaining pillars. University of Washington-Seattle Campus admits about 39.1% of applicants, and 14.9% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants while 32.7% are first-generation college students — access sits in the 82.8 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions. Mobility sits in the 95.1 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions, and affordability sits in the 88.1 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the pricing dynamics of a flagship research university in a high-cost metro area.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus's published cost of attendance is $32,446, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $6,384 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $8,110, and higher-income families pay approximately $30,019. Azimuth ranks University of Washington-Seattle Campus #170 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. University of Washington-Seattle Campus participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, and Washington residents benefit from the state's robust need-based aid infrastructure alongside federal Pell Grants and Direct Loans. The gap between the published cost of attendance and what most low- and middle-income families actually pay reflects the university's aid reach — though families should review their specific aid package carefully, as net price and sticker price can differ substantially depending on household circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $14,615, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $24,883; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $82,515, median federal debt of $14,615 projects to a monthly payment of about $165 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus is a strong fit for students drawn to the social sciences, technology, and applied research fields who want a large public research university in Seattle, WA, with deep connections to one of the country's most dynamic labor markets. Graduates earn median $82,515 four years after enrollment, placing University of Washington-Seattle Campus in the 87.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and earn about $11,816 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 88.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The access profile is broad: 14.9% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 32.7% are first-generation students, and low-income graduates place in the 98.3 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions on a historical 10-year Scorecard measure — a signal that University of Washington-Seattle Campus converts access into durable financial outcomes across income levels. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix centers on Social Sciences and related analytical fields, so students whose interests align there will find the strongest outcomes, and higher-income families should expect a net price around $30,019, which reflects the university's public-tuition structure rather than a need-based aid model calibrated for higher-income households.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the University Of Washington-Seattle Campus hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus's published cost of attendance is $32,446, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $6,384 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $8,110, and higher-income families pay approximately $30,019.
Azimuth ranks University of Washington-Seattle Campus #170 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, and Washington residents benefit from the state's robust need-based aid infrastructure alongside federal Pell Grants and Direct Loans. The gap between the published cost of attendance and what most low- and middle-income families actually pay reflects the university's aid reach — though families should review their specific aid package carefully, as [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) depending on household circumstances.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $14,615, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $24,883; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $82,515, median federal debt of $14,615 projects to a monthly payment of about $165 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of University of Washington-Seattle Campus earn median earnings of $82,515 four years after enrollment, placing University of Washington-Seattle Campus in the 87.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs above the $65,228 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band).
Graduates earn about $11,816 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 88.5 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Washington-Seattle Campus #159 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The earnings pattern reflects a broad program mix anchored in Social Sciences. Social Sciences accounts for 13% of degrees, followed by Engineering at 9% and Business at 8%.
Computer Science combines large cohort scale with strong pay, making it a key contributor to the university's overall return profile. Azimuth ranks Artificial Intelligence #23 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment, with 565 graduates earning median earnings of $114,798 — 1.2x the national benchmark for the field.
The Research Psychology program graduates 565 students with median earnings of $57,718, and Azimuth ranks it #22 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/). Computer Science ranks #16 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment, with 494 graduates earning $175,616, while Political Science and Economics round out the highest-earning fields with median earnings of $72,487 and $87,239 respectively.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Puget Sound Higher acceptance rate (33.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 28 miles away; similar graduate earnings | WA | 76% | $69,594 | Compare |
Seattle University Higher acceptance rate (33.5 percentage points higher) and located 3 miles away; similar graduate earnings | WA | 76% | $75,272 | Compare |
Pacific Lutheran University Higher acceptance rate (38 percentage points higher) and located 36 miles away; similar graduate earnings | WA | 81% | $66,990 | Compare |
Virginia Military Institute Higher acceptance rate (39.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | VA | 82% | $77,369 | Compare |
The Catholic University Of America Higher acceptance rate (41.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | DC | 84% | $73,250 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Nevada-Las Vegas Similar quality tier (#4180 ranked) | NV | 96% | $55,037 | #4180 | Compare |
The University Of Texas At Dallas Similar quality tier (#4178 ranked) | TX | 65% | $68,227 | #4178 | Compare |
Cuny Queens College Similar quality tier (#4177 ranked) | NY | 64% | $62,763 | #4177 | Compare |
University Of Houston-Downtown Similar quality tier (#4183 ranked) | TX | 90% | $53,551 | #4183 | Compare |
University Of Virginia-Main Campus Similar quality tier (#4184 ranked) | VA | 17% | $86,863 | #4184 | Compare |
Computer Science
494 graduates
Computer Engineering
49 graduates
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
226 graduates
Computer and Information Sciences, General
565 graduates
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
68 graduates
University of Washington-Seattle Campus's program mix is anchored in Social Sciences, with Social Sciences accounting for 13% of graduates, Engineering for 9%, and Business for 8%. Across 85 programs serving roughly 9,712 students annually, 59 meet Azimuth's program-ranking threshold, and several carry strong national positions.
Computer Science combines the largest cohort scale with strong earnings, making it the program that contributes most to University of Washington-Seattle Campus's aggregate return. Among the largest programs in the Azimuth coverage set, Artificial Intelligence program graduates 565 students annually with median 4-year earnings of $114,798, and Azimuth ranks it #23 nationally for median earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The Research Psychology program graduates 565 students with median 4-year earnings of $57,718, while The Computer Science program graduates 494 students with median 4-year earnings of $175,616. Azimuth ranks Computer Science #16 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Several of University of Washington-Seattle Campus's highest-earning programs — notably Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Finance — are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly in Seattle's technology and engineering labor market, and four-year earnings reflect real labor-market outcomes. Programs like Political Science and Economics, by contrast, include grad-school-dependent pathways where four-year earnings undercount lifetime trajectory for graduates who continue to medical, law, or doctoral programs.
