University of Washington acceptance rate and admissions profile
University of Washington, a public university in Washington, reports a 39% acceptance rate and sits in the selective band. In practice that means it admits a minority of applicants, so a strong application is judged against an applicant pool that is already self-selected.
Use this page to see what University of Washington weighs, where it ranks among Washington schools, and how a profile like yours is likely to land. Admitted students post a 75th-percentile SAT around 1450, a useful checkpoint for where your scores sit, though it is a reference range and not a cutoff.
Will I get into University of Washington?
Direct answers to what applicants ask about getting into University of Washington, plus a free way to calculate your own odds.
What are my chances of getting into University of Washington?
Your odds at University of Washington are not the same as its 39% acceptance rate. Your real odds depend on how your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities compare to its admitted students. Run your profile through the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance percentage for University of Washington in about three minutes, with no account needed to start.
Is University of Washington hard to get into?
University of Washington is selective: it admits a minority of applicants, with about a 39% acceptance rate. A solid academic record puts you in good position, and the rest of your profile can tip the result either way.
What GPA do you need to get into University of Washington?
There is no hard GPA cutoff at University of Washington, but admitted students commonly present roughly a 3.5 to 3.9 GPA. University of Washington reads your GPA alongside the rigor of your courses, so a challenging schedule matters as much as the number itself.
What SAT score do you need for University of Washington?
University of Washington does not publish a required score, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1450. A score at or above that range strengthens your application, while a lower score puts more weight on your rigor, activities, and essays. CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds at University of Washington.
What University of Washington looks for
What University of Washington weighs most heavily in its admissions review, informed by its reported Common Data Set.
The factors that carry the most weight at University of Washington are rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores. Solid grades in a challenging schedule do most of the work here, with the rest of the application providing context. These ratings come from University of Washington's reported Common Data Set, so the full chart below reflects what the school itself says it values, not a generic guess.
SAT score positioning at University of Washington
How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.
How University of Washington compares in Washington
University of Washington ranks #2 most selective of 15 schools in Washington in our database.
Among the 15 Washington schools we track, University of Washington ranks #2 most selective by acceptance rate. Schools like Whitman College (38%) and Walla Walla University (65%) sit nearby, which makes Washington a useful frame for calibrating a balanced list. As a public university, residency matters: in-state applicants generally see meaningfully better odds than the headline rate suggests.
Similar to University of Washington
Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.
Applicants targeting University of Washington often weigh Binghamton University, Clemson University, and University of Central Florida, which sit at a similar level. Running the same profile against each one in the free calculator is the fastest way to see where you are a reach, a match, or a likely.
Frequently asked questions
What does University of Washington value most in applicants?
Based on its admissions profile, University of Washington weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.
Does University of Washington favor in-state applicants?
As a public university, University of Washington generally admits in-state applicants at a higher rate than out-of-state applicants, so your home state affects your odds. CollegeCalcAI applies an in-state residency boost when you select your state.
How can I improve my chances at University of Washington?
Focus on the highest-leverage parts of your application: course rigor and GPA trajectory first, then test scores, then a focused leadership or activity spike. CollegeCalcAI's Power-Ups quantify how much each change would move your odds at University of Washington specifically.
Is University of Washington a target or a reach for an average applicant?
For an applicant whose GPA and scores sit near University of Washington's admitted range, it generally reads as a target rather than a reach. Run your exact profile through the free calculator to see your personal verdict.
Is University of Washington test-optional?
Test-optional policies change year to year, so confirm University of Washington's current policy on its official admissions site. If you do submit scores, the admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1450; if you do not, more weight falls on your GPA, course rigor, and essays.
Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.