UW Bothell at a glance 2025-26

Fast facts

UW Bothell opens as a regional public campus in 1990 — and is now ranked the #1 regional university in Washington state, according to U.S. News & World Report (2026). 

Student diversity

• < 1% American Native or Alaska Native
• 32% Asian
• 10% Black or African American
• 11% Hispanic or Latino
• 4% International (student visa)
• < 1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
• 7% Two or more races
• 28% White
• 7% Not indicated

Academic excellence

Our students are accomplished — with an average incoming high school GPA of 3.75. Our student retention rate averages 86%.

Accreditation

The University of Washington is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and is a member of the Association of American Universities.

At UW Bothell, several schools hold additional specialized accreditations:

• School of Business – Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
• School of Nursing & Health Studies – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• School of STEM – Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission

Research excellence

In 2025, UW Bothell was designated a “Research College and University” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The classification recognizes the faculty’s expanding research — nearly $80 million in expenditures over the past decade — which emphasizes collaboration, innovation and impact across the Puget Sound region.

The value of a UW Bothell Education

Highest wages in WA

The wages of UW Bothell alumni with bachelor’s and master’s degrees are consistently the highest in the state among all graduates with comparable degrees from public, four-year institutions.
Source: Educational Research & Data Center (March 2025)

On average, alumni earn more than $100,000 annually, according to 2025 Lightcast data.

Recognized for ROI

UW Bothell is ranked #2 overall in Washington among public universities by both Niche.com (2026) and SmartAsset (2025) for value and return on investment.

Access and opportunity

All incoming first-year undergraduates are paired with a Peer Coach in their first two quarters, providing crucial early support in their college journey that boosts retention.

In autumn 2025, 37% of incoming first-year students and 38% of new incoming transfers would be first in their immediate families to earn a four-year degree.

31% of all UW Bothell students received a federal Pell Grant award in autumn 2025.

6% of students at UW Bothell are veterans or military-affiliated.

In 2024-25, 73% of undergraduate students and 69% of graduate students graduated debt-free.

Vibrant student life

In 2024–25, UW Bothell students participated in more than 1,400 events, including 794 club events and 44 student organization events.

• More than 85 student clubs and organizations created opportunities for leadership, identity exploration and connection.
• More than 3,000 students attended events, with 35% of the student population participating in multiple activities.

Serving our region

96% of incoming first-year students and 92% of incoming transfers in autumn 2025 are from Washington state.

Top counties of residence

60% King

27% Snohomish

Top five cities of residence

• 10% Seattle
• 9% Bothell
• 8% Lynnwood
• 7% Bellevue
• 7% Everett

Regional impact

9 out of 10 of our 34,000+ alumni live and work in the state of Washington — and more than two-thirds live within a 25-mile radius of UW Bothell.

Economic contribution

UW Bothell generates an estimated $394 million in annual economic impact for the state of Washington. This includes direct spending, job creation, alumni earnings and the University’s role in supporting a skilled, local workforce.
Source: University of Washington 2024 Economic Impact Report

Community engagement

In 2020, UW Bothell was recognized for meeting Carnegie Foundation standards for community engagement. Each year, students collaborate with hundreds of community partners — businesses, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and more — on projects that enrich their education while supporting partner goals.

Environmental sustainability

The campus houses a 58-acre wetland that is a sustainable, functioning floodplain ecosystem within an urbanizing watershed.

• As part of the Puget Sound Energy Green Direct program, UW Bothell purchases 100% of its electricity from the Lund Hill Solar project and the Skookumchuck Wind Project. 
• The campus uses no pesticides and is home to a host of native plants, pollinators, salmon, beavers and other wildlife.
• It is a Bee Campus USA member and is Salmon-Safe certified.
• UW Bothell is included in The Princeton Review’s 2026 Green Colleges guide for its commitment to sustainability through student satisfaction, environmentally responsible policies and institutional practices. 
• The campus holds a STARS Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education and is “re:wild your campus” Green Grounds Platinum certified.
• It is an institutional member of both the National Wildlife Federation and the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (PDF).

Learn more about our schools

Want to learn more about our five schools? You can visit their websites or view and download the school snapshots below.

• School of Business website | School of Business snapshot (PDF)
• School of Educational Studies website | School of Educational Studies snapshot (PDF)
• School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences website | School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences snapshot (PDF)
• School of Nursing & Health Studies website | School of Nursing & Health Studies snapshot (PDF)
• School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics website | School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics snapshot (PDF)

Visit UW Bothell

UW Bothell sits about 12 miles from the University of Washington campus in Seattle. From downtown Seattle, UW Bothell is approximately 16 miles or about 30-45 minutes by car or bus.

Downtown Bothell is about one mile from campus or a 15-minute walk. It offers a growing array of restaurants, boutique shops, cafés, breweries, arts and cultural events, and recreational amenities — all accessible to students and visitors. Download a map that highlights some of our region’s features and attractions.

In the broader region, Bothell lies between Bellevue and Everett, in what is often called the “tech corridor,” giving access to regional employment, industry partnerships and transit connectivity.

At a Glance is updated annually each fall shortly after 10th-day enrollment statistics are finalized.