University of Washington admits approximately 42.5% of applicants, meaning roughly 2 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the institution in the Selective admissions tier, significantly more competitive than typical four-year universities. The peer median admission rate of 78.1% highlights the substantial difference between University of Washington's selectivity and average institutional standards. This 35.6 percentage point difference indicates that the university maintains considerably higher admission standards than most public research universities. The selectivity level means that qualified students face meaningful competition in the admission process, though acceptance rates remain more accessible than highly elite institutions. Students applying should recognize that while University of Washington is selective, roughly 4 in 10 applicants do gain admission, making it approachable for academically competitive students. This level of selectivity typically requires strong academic preparation, though exact requirements may vary by program and applicant pool strength. For prospective students, this admission rate suggests building a balanced college list that includes institutions with higher acceptance rates alongside University of Washington. The sections below explore the academic profile of admitted students and provide alternative institutions for students seeking similar outcomes with different admission profiles.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
University of Washington enrolls 15.5% Pell-eligible students and 32.7% first-generation students, indicating a student body that combines students from diverse economic backgrounds with those from more privileged circumstances. The Pell share of 15.5% reflects the university's position as a Selective Achievers institution, where strong outcomes accompany more limited enrollment of low-income students relative to typical public universities. First-generation students comprise nearly one-third of the student body, demonstrating meaningful representation of students whose families lack prior college experience. Transfer students account for 19.1% of enrollment, indicating the institution accepts a significant number of students from community colleges and other four-year institutions. This transfer share provides pathways for students who may not have gained admission as freshmen or who began their college careers elsewhere. The combination of moderate Pell eligibility, substantial first-generation representation, and significant transfer enrollment suggests admission practices that balance academic selectivity with some degree of socioeconomic diversity. Students from lower-income families should note the 15.5% Pell share when assessing institutional fit and community. First-generation students should consider the substantial representation of peers who share their background. Transfer applicants should investigate specific transfer admission requirements and credit transfer policies, as the 19.1% transfer share indicates established pathways for this population.
Given University of Washington's 42.5% acceptance rate, many qualified applicants will need backup options. The schools below deliver comparable career outcomes with more accessible admission, different geographic options, or better value.
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University of Washington demonstrates strong student success metrics with 94.9% of freshmen returning for sophomore year and 83.7% graduating within six years. The retention rate of 94.9% significantly exceeds the peer median of 83.7%, indicating above-average first-year student support and academic preparation. The graduation rate of 83.7% surpasses the peer median of 65.9% by nearly 18 percentage points, reflecting the institution's effectiveness in supporting students through degree completion. Pell-eligible students graduate at a rate of 72.6%, creating an 11.1 percentage point gap with the overall completion rate. This gap indicates some additional challenges for lower-income students, though the 72.6% Pell completion rate remains above national averages for similar institutions. The retention and completion patterns suggest that students who gain admission possess appropriate academic preparation for success at University of Washington. The substantial outperformance of peer institutions on both retention and graduation metrics indicates effective institutional support systems and appropriate admission standards. Students who gain admission can expect strong institutional support for degree completion, with particularly robust first-year retention systems. Lower-income students should weigh the 11.1 percentage point Pell completion gap when considering this institution, though the 72.6% Pell graduation rate demonstrates that the majority of lower-income students do complete their degrees successfully.
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