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Auburn University vs University of Washington

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

75.0% Auburn acceptance
48.0% UW acceptance
$42,440 Auburn cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

Auburn
Auburn, Alabama
Public
Founded
1856
Enrollment
33,015
Setting
Suburban
UW
Seattle, Washington
Public
Founded
1861
Enrollment
51,361
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition Auburn saves $8,953
Auburn
$33,044
UW
$41,997
Acceptance Rate UW more selective
Auburn
75.0%
UW
48.0%
Graduation Rate UW higher
Auburn
78%
UW
84%
Avg SAT Score UW higher
Auburn
1270
UW
1380
Starting Salary UW higher
Auburn
$60,200
UW
$73,200

Detailed Comparison

Metric Auburn UW Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$33,044$41,997Auburn
Tuition (In-State)$12,168$12,643Auburn
Room & Board$13,040$14,697Auburn
Acceptance Rate75.0%48.0%UW
Graduation Rate78%84%UW
Average SAT12701380UW
Student-Faculty Ratio19:121:1Auburn
Enrollment33,01551,361-
Avg Financial Aid$11,600$17,490UW
Starting Salary$60,200$73,200UW
Endowment$1.1B$4.5BUW
Campus Size1,841 acres703 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

Auburn
$184,336
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
UW
$226,776
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: Auburn = $137,936 | UW = $156,816. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

Auburn Top Majors

EngineeringBusinessBiologyNursingAgriculture

UW Top Majors

Computer ScienceEngineeringBiologyBusinessPsychology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
AuburnSuburban
UWUrban
Campus Size
Auburn1,841 ac
UW703 ac
Athletics
AuburnNCAA D1
UWNCAA D1
Region
AuburnSouth
UWWest
Founded
Auburn1856
UW1861
Enrollment
Auburn33,015
UW51,361

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Auburn or UW harder to get into?+
UW is more selective with an acceptance rate of 48.0% compared to 75.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, Auburn or UW?+
At sticker price, Auburn costs less over 4 years ($184,336 vs $226,776). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. Auburn offers an average of $11,600/year in aid while UW offers $17,490/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for Auburn and UW?+
The average SAT score at Auburn is 1270 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 Auburn or UW graduates earn more?+
Graduates of UW have a higher average starting salary ($73,200 vs $60,200). 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?+
Auburn has a 19:1 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 Auburn and UW compare for campus life?+
Auburn is located in Auburn, Alabama (suburban setting) with a 1,841-acre campus. UW is in Seattle, Washington (urban setting) with 703 acres. Auburn competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UW in NCAA D1.