University of Washington, Seattle
Seattle, Washington
This is not “a good school in a good city.” Seattle is a career engine. Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta — all have major offices here. UW's brand becomes elite when you choose the right schools and the right majors.
University of Washington, Seattle at a Glance
Public Research
Type
Seattle, WA
Location
Top 10 USA
CS (Allen)
~47,000
Students
$66,972
UG Budget (9mo)
English
Language
Programs at University of Washington, Seattle
Computer Science (Allen School)
Paul G. Allen School of CSE
Crown jewel. Globally elite, extremely competitive. Outcomes strong because Seattle tech market is local.
Informatics
Information School
Often a smarter play than pure CS. Product design + data + UX + applied computing. Excellent for tech roles beyond hardcore SWE.
Electrical & Computer Engineering
College of Engineering
Strong industry adjacency. Seattle's market strengthens outcomes in semiconductors, systems, product engineering.
Data Science / AI
Multiple departments
Strong research ecosystem + industry adjacency. Seattle is one of the best U.S. cities for applied AI careers.
Industrial & Systems Engineering
College of Engineering
Human-centered design, product-adjacent engineering. Strong for tech PM pathways.
Public Health / Epidemiology
School of Public Health
World-class. Serious science, not 'pre-med vibes.' Global health research powerhouse.
Business (Foster)
Foster School of Business
Strong regionally. Excellent for Seattle-based corporate + tech strategy pathways.
MBA (Foster)
Foster School of Business
$119K total tuition. $151K+ avg starting salary. Strong for tech PM, strategy, consulting with West Coast goals.
Biomedical Engineering
College of Engineering
Research-intensive. Seattle health-tech ecosystem (UW Medicine, Fred Hutch, biotech startups).
Environmental Science
College of the Environment
Pacific Northwest ecosystem. Climate science, marine biology, sustainability.
Costs & ROI
| Level | Tuition | Living | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (9-month official) | $44,640 | $22,332 (housing/food/other) | $66,972 (official 9-month) |
| Undergraduate (12-month realistic) | $44,640 | $35,000-$47,000 | $80,000-$92,000/yr |
| Master's (3-quarter) | $33,171 | $27,588 + $1,374 insurance | $62,133 (9-month) |
| MBA (Foster, total program) | $119,148 total | $50,000-$70,000 total | $170,000-$190,000 total |
Career & Industry
University of Washington, Seattle vs Peers
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University of Washington, Seattle: UW: {comp.self}
Other:
University of Washington, Seattle Is Right For...
- Want tech careers and understand Seattle's structural hiring advantage
- Can realistically compete for CS/Engineering/Informatics pathways
- Want a top research university without private-school pricing
- Are ROI-driven and want internship density
- Want to combine STEM + product + applied work
University of Washington, Seattle Is Not Right For...
- Want tech careers and understand Seattle's structural hiring advantage
- Can realistically compete for CS/Engineering/Informatics pathways
- Want a top research university without private-school pricing
- Are ROI-driven and want internship density
- Want to combine STEM + product + applied work
Watch: Study Abroad Insights
Khushi Patel
Dr. Karan Gupta
Dr. Karan Gupta's Advice
UW Seattle is one of the smartest “non-hype” power choices for STEM students. A globally respected research environment with a tech economy on your doorstep and strong ROI relative to private universities.
But you must do two things correctly: choose the right pathway (major/school) with realism, and plan finances like a Seattle student — not a cheap college town student.
FAQs: University of Washington, Seattle for Indian Students
Is UW Seattle top tier for CS?
If I don't get into CS, is UW still worth it?
Is Seattle a real advantage or just marketing?
How expensive is UW for international students?
Is Foster MBA worth it for internationals?
UW vs Waterloo for tech?
Should I choose UW or NYU for finance?
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Want to Study at University of Washington, Seattle?
Get expert guidance from Dr. Karan Gupta — Harvard alumnus, 27+ years of global admissions experience guiding 160,000+ students worldwide.