University of Washington: Full Cost of Attendance (2026)

University of Washington is a public university in Seattle, Washington with an enrollment of approximately 48,000 students. In-state students pay $12,076 per year in tuition, while out-of-state students face a significantly higher bill at $39,906. When you add room and board ($$14,190) and books ($$912), the total sticker price reaches $$27,178 for in-state or $55,008 for out-of-state students per year.

The good news: the average financial aid package at University of Washington is $16,400, which brings the effective net cost down to roughly $$10,778 per year for aided students. Over four years, that's a total investment of approximately $$43,112 — a number worth comparing against expected post-graduation earnings in your field.

University of Washington Cost Breakdown

Cost of Living in Seattle for Students

Beyond tuition and official room & board, the city you study in shapes your real cost of attendance. Seattle has a cost-of-living index of 172 (above the national average of 100), which directly affects everything from off-campus rent to groceries, transportation, and entertainment. Students who live off-campus in Seattle typically spend $2064-$$2683 per month on total living expenses — a figure that can add $$24,768-$$32,198 annually to your education budget.

Seattle is one of the more expensive college towns in the country. Students here need to budget carefully — sharing housing, cooking at home, and using student transit passes are essential strategies. The upside: the job market and networking opportunities in Seattle can offset higher living costs through internships and part-time work that pay above-average wages.

University of Washington at a Glance

Hidden Costs of Attending University of Washington

The sticker price only tells part of the story. Students at University of Washington regularly encounter costs that don't appear in official estimates: technology fees ($200-600/year), parking permits ($$688-$$2064/year in Seattle), lab fees for STEM courses, study abroad surcharges, and the cost of required professional attire for internships. Health insurance, if not covered by a parent's plan, adds $2,000-4,000 annually.

Perhaps the biggest hidden cost is opportunity cost — four years of foregone income. For a graduate who would otherwise earn $Seattle's median income of $97K, the opportunity cost of a bachelor's degree is roughly $389K in lost wages. This doesn't make college a bad investment — median lifetime earnings for bachelor's degree holders exceed high school graduates by $1.2 million — but it's a real cost that should factor into your decision.

How to Afford University of Washington