Founded in 1861 as one of the original universities of the West Coast, the University of Washington, or colloquially “U dub,” stands as a pillar of academic excellence in the United States, as well as around the globe, ranked number 8 among the best universities in the world.
UW’s 700-acre main campus is located in the heart of Seattle, gilded with beautiful buildings that demonstrate the age and significance of the university. The original Seattle campus, making up the core of the school, is a reflection of late century, intricate Gothic architecture. Buildings, such as the refined Suzzallo Library, feature high, arched ceilings that would feel just as fitting in a cathedral as they do in the public reading room. With cherry trees blossoming around the extensive quad, which is overlooked by the magnificent Mount Rainier, the Seattle campus alone draws inspiration from students across the United States and beyond. Sporting an exceptional sum of over 60,000 students enrolled annually, around 41,000 being undergraduates, UW strongly orients to a large urban life community. The students of the college mingle with the wide array of local dining and grace the walkable streets of Seattle’s entertaining integrations between campus and the city. While the Seattle campus is recognized as UW’s main campus, the school operates two other campuses, with one in Tacoma, and another in Bothell.
The Fiske Guide awards UW with 5 stars in academics; the school undoubtedly deserves that evaluation due to the quality of the many classes offered by the school. Across the three campuses, a total of 499 programs and 865 degrees tender countless possibilities for study and exploration. Known for incredible research in the field of science, about half of students receive degrees in STEM. With the nationally ranked UW School of Medicine, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, and the UW College of the Environment, the premiere teachings within these schools are the driving reason for the elite standing of UW.
Focusing on the pricing of attending UW, out-of-state tuition falls within around $44,640 annually, with the average need-based aid package providing $23,487. The aid package offers generous assistance in steering students towards financial relief. In fact, approximately 68% of undergraduates graduate without recorded student debt. Furthermore, the 6-year graduation rates remain at a steady 84%.
At a Division 1 school with 22 varsity sports, UW prides itself on its athletics. Part of the Big Ten collegiate, the UW Huskies football team reigns in the admiration of students and the roaring applause of a city brought together under the dome of Husky Stadium. Another notable sport of the UW athletics program is rowing, which remains the university’s top sport in producing peak performance, gaining the college widespread acclaim and lasting prestige.
Of the numerous colleges scattered throughout the Pacific Northwest, UW shines as a grand beacon to the scholarly, athletic, and creative interests of its bright minds. As UW’s motto remains, “Lux sit.” “Let there be light.”