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NYU vs University of Washington

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

12.2% NYU acceptance
48.0% UW acceptance
$101,288 UW cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

NYU
New York, New York
Private
Founded
1831
Enrollment
59,144
Setting
Urban
UW
Seattle, Washington
Public
Founded
1861
Enrollment
51,361
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition UW saves $18,441
NYU
$60,438
UW
$41,997
Acceptance Rate NYU more selective
NYU
12.2%
UW
48.0%
Graduation Rate NYU higher
NYU
87%
UW
84%
Avg SAT Score NYU higher
NYU
1480
UW
1380
Starting Salary NYU higher
NYU
$74,100
UW
$73,200

Detailed Comparison

Metric NYU UW Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$60,438$41,997UW
Tuition (In-State)$60,438$12,643UW
Room & Board$21,578$14,697UW
Acceptance Rate12.2%48.0%NYU
Graduation Rate87%84%NYU
Average SAT14801380NYU
Student-Faculty Ratio8:121:1NYU
Enrollment59,14451,361-
Avg Financial Aid$38,960$17,490NYU
Starting Salary$74,100$73,200NYU
Endowment$6.2B$4.5BNYU
Campus Size230 acres703 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

NYU
$328,064
4-year total (private)
VS
UW
$226,776
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: NYU = $172,224 | UW = $156,816. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

NYU Top Majors

BusinessLiberal StudiesFilmEconomicsComputer Science

UW Top Majors

Computer ScienceEngineeringBiologyBusinessPsychology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
NYUUrban
UWUrban
Campus Size
NYU230 ac
UW703 ac
Athletics
NYUNCAA D3
UWNCAA D1
Region
NYUNortheast
UWWest
Founded
NYU1831
UW1861
Enrollment
NYU59,144
UW51,361

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is NYU or UW harder to get into?+
NYU is more selective with an acceptance rate of 12.2% compared to 48.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, NYU or UW?+
At sticker price, UW costs less over 4 years ($226,776 vs $328,064). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. NYU offers an average of $38,960/year in aid while UW offers $17,490/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for NYU and UW?+
The average SAT score at NYU is 1480 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 NYU or UW graduates earn more?+
Graduates of NYU have a higher average starting salary ($74,100 vs $73,200). 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?+
NYU has a 8:1 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 NYU and UW compare for campus life?+
NYU is located in New York, New York (urban setting) with a 230-acre campus. UW is in Seattle, Washington (urban setting) with 703 acres. NYU competes in NCAA D3 athletics and UW in NCAA D1.