A Complete Guide to Colleges in Seattle
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3 Popular Colleges in Seattle, Washington
We’ve compiled a table that lists all colleges in Seattle and its surrounding area. But first, let’s highlight a few of the most popular Seattle colleges based on variables like enrollment size, selectivity, and reputation.
All school data below comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Tuition and fees are from 2022-2023, while acceptance rates, enrollment statistics, and number of applicants are from 2021.
1. University of Washington
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $12,242 (in-state) | $40,740 (out-of-state)
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Total Student Enrollment: 52,434
A premier research university and Public Ivy, UW consistently receives top marks in many fields, including engineering, law, nursing, business, and medicine. The university offers more than 460 academic programs across 140 departments.
Located north of downtown Seattle, UW’s campus has over 500 buildings and ranks among the most beautiful college campuses in the country. Especially well known are the cherry blossoms that bloom every spring in an area called the Quad.
2. Seattle University
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $57,261
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Total Student Enrollment: 7,268
Seattle U is a private Jesuit university just south of the bustling Capitol Hill neighborhood. Known for its progressive values, the school uses Jesuit philosophies as a guide and combines holistic education with service-based learning.
Seattle U offers more than 170 areas of study for undergraduate and graduate students. Its law school is particularly well known, especially for its top-ranking legal writing program.
3. Seattle Pacific University
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $37,158
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Total Student Enrollment: 3,443
A private Christian liberal arts university located in the Queen Anne neighborhood, SPU offers stunning views of the Lake Washington Ship Canal and quick access to downtown Seattle.
The school’s most popular programs include psychology, nursing, and computer science. In total, SPU offers 70 undergraduate majors, 26 master’s programs, and five doctoral programs.
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List of All Colleges and Universities in Seattle
This table below shows all four-year nonprofit colleges in Seattle and the suburbs of Kirkland, Bellevue, and Kenmore. You can compare statistics on enrollment, tuition, acceptance rates, and number of applicants.
| School | Total Student Enrollment | Avg. Tuition and Fees | Acceptance Rate | Number of Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antioch University-Seattle | 779 | $19,260 | 100% | N/A |
| Bastyr University | 751 | $28,950 | N/A | N/A |
| Bellevue College | 11,546 | $4,159 (in-state); $9,594 (out-of-state) | 100% | N/A |
| City University of Seattle | 1,996 | $13,558 | 100% | N/A |
| Cornish College of the Arts | 455 | $36,844 | 64% | 666 |
| Northwest University | 1,083 | $35,000 | 96% | 473 |
| Seattle Pacific University | 3,443 | $37,158 | 92% | 4,359 |
| Seattle University | 7,268 | $51,324 | 82% | 8,539 |
| University of Washington | 52,434 | $12,242 (in-state); $40,740 (out-of-state) | 64% | 22,694 |
Source: NCES
Frequently Asked Questions About Colleges in Seattle
How many universities are in Seattle?
There are six four-year nonprofit colleges and universities in Seattle. An additional three schools are located in the suburbs of Bellevue, Kenmore, and Kirkland. If you include all community colleges in the Seattle area, the total number of schools rises to 18.
What major university is located in Seattle?
The University of Washington is Seattle’s largest and highest-ranking university. A top research university, UW is renowned in subjects such as immunology, molecular biology, and genetics.
The university’s total enrollment — over 52,000 students, according to NCES — makes it the largest higher education institution in Washington state. UW admitted 53% of 48,840 undergraduate applicants in fall 2021.
What is the easiest school to get into in Seattle?
Northwest University is the least selective school in the Seattle area — aside from schools with open admissions. The small private university in Kirkland admitted 96% of 473 undergraduate applicants in fall 2021, according to NCES.
Seattle Pacific University, located in downtown Seattle, is the second least selective school. SPU’s acceptance rate is 92%.
