On Sept. 30, 2026, the University of Washington Bothell kicked off the 2026-2027 academic year — welcoming an all-time high enrollment in its 36-year history.
“The healthy enrollment we continue to see on our growing campus reflects the hard work of our entire community,” Chancellor Kristin G. Esterberg said. “From student recruitment, registration and retention to our extraordinary faculty, every role plays a part in making our campus a place where students not only want to matriculate but also become the teachers, nurses, scientists, leaders and creators of tomorrow.”
This year’s incoming class, which is the third highest in the university’s history, includes 1,152 first-year students and 615 transfer students. With returning students, UW Bothell has a total student body of 6,458 for the 2026 autumn quarter, including 5,938 undergraduates and 520 graduate students.
The average class size is 33 for undergraduates and 17 for graduate students. The University has 322 faculty members and 387 staff.
Current students who have declared majors or are in graduate programs break out as follows: 27% are in the School of STEM, 21% in the School of Business, 15% in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, 6% in the School of Nursing & Health Studies and 3% in the School of Educational Studies. Another 27% of UW Bothell students are first-year or pre-major students.
“As we reflect on the many ways our campus community supports student success, I also want to recognize an important milestone. This fall marks the 20th anniversary of our First Year and Pre-Major Program,” Esterberg said. “Through this program — and so many others, both new and longstanding — we are making a real difference in the lives of our students.”
Some other statistics about UW Bothell at the start of the 2026-27 academic year include: 36% of incoming first-year students and 42% of new incoming transfer students will be the first in their immediate families to graduate from a four-year institution.
29% of all UW Bothell students received a federal Pell Grant award in autumn 2026. The Pell Grant is the federal aid program for low-income families.
6% of students — more than 390 in total — are eligible for veteran’s benefits, a group that includes spouses and children of veterans.
The student body is known for its diversity as well. Approximately 32% of all students identify as Asian, 27% white, 10% Hispanic or Latino, 10% Black or African American, 8% two or more races, less than 1% American Indian or Alaska Native and less than 1% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. Another 3% are international students here on a student visa.
Among all students at UW Bothell, 94% are Washington residents, with 60% coming from King County and 27% from Snohomish County.
The University of Washington Bothell was established by approval of the state legislature in 1989, held its first classes in fall 1990 and graduated its first class of three students in 1991. There are now more than 36,000 UW Bothell alumni, and more than two-thirds live and work within 25 miles of campus.
Esterberg also noted that the residence halls have become a thriving part of the community in the last few years and reached a capacity of about 75% this fall — an increase of more than 100 students living on campus over last year.
“Based on the extraordinary successes of last year — and the plans already in place for this year — I know that student engagement will again be strong. Our students also recognize our ongoing efforts to improve opportunities for their success,” Esterberg said, citing the most recent results of the National Survey of Student Engagement. UW Bothell’s score on providing a “supportive environment” rose 8% among first-year students and 8.7% among seniors since 2021.
“All in all, these achievements reflect a great foundation as we start our new academic year,” she said.
