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Arizona State University vs University of Washington

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

88.0% ASU acceptance
48.0% UW acceptance
$45,976 ASU cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

ASU
Tempe, Arizona
Public
Founded
1885
Enrollment
83,446
Setting
Urban
UW
Seattle, Washington
Public
Founded
1861
Enrollment
51,361
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition ASU saves $10,797
ASU
$31,200
UW
$41,997
Acceptance Rate UW more selective
ASU
88.0%
UW
48.0%
Graduation Rate UW higher
ASU
69%
UW
84%
Avg SAT Score UW higher
ASU
1230
UW
1380
Starting Salary UW higher
ASU
$60,100
UW
$73,200

Detailed Comparison

Metric ASU UW Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$31,200$41,997ASU
Tuition (In-State)$12,479$12,643ASU
Room & Board$14,000$14,697ASU
Acceptance Rate88.0%48.0%UW
Graduation Rate69%84%UW
Average SAT12301380UW
Student-Faculty Ratio18:121:1ASU
Enrollment83,44651,361-
Avg Financial Aid$12,400$17,490UW
Starting Salary$60,100$73,200UW
Endowment$1.5B$4.5BUW
Campus Size1,695 acres703 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

ASU
$180,800
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
UW
$226,776
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: ASU = $131,200 | UW = $156,816. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

ASU Top Majors

BusinessEngineeringPsychologyBiologySupply Chain

UW Top Majors

Computer ScienceEngineeringBiologyBusinessPsychology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
ASUUrban
UWUrban
Campus Size
ASU1,695 ac
UW703 ac
Athletics
ASUNCAA D1
UWNCAA D1
Region
ASUWest
UWWest
Founded
ASU1885
UW1861
Enrollment
ASU83,446
UW51,361

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is ASU or UW harder to get into?+
UW is more selective with an acceptance rate of 48.0% compared to 88.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, ASU or UW?+
At sticker price, ASU costs less over 4 years ($180,800 vs $226,776). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. ASU offers an average of $12,400/year in aid while UW offers $17,490/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for ASU and UW?+
The average SAT score at ASU is 1230 and at UW it is 1380. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do ASU or UW graduates earn more?+
Graduates of UW have a higher average starting salary ($73,200 vs $60,100). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
ASU has a 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio while UW has 21:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do ASU and UW compare for campus life?+
ASU is located in Tempe, Arizona (urban setting) with a 1,695-acre campus. UW is in Seattle, Washington (urban setting) with 703 acres. ASU competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UW in NCAA D1.