About the UW

The University of Washington, founded in 1861, is one of the world’s most prestigious universities. The UW enrolls about 60,000 students each year and thrives as a center for groundbreaking research in numerous fields, including medicine, education, public affairs, aeronautics and business. The largest UW campus is located in the heart of Seattle, one of the most scenic and livable cities in the United States.

A World-Class Educational Institution

The University of Washington is considered one of the best universities in the world. It's been ranked No. 7 among global universities and No. 2 among U.S. public institutions by U.S. News & World Report.

The UW offers many areas of study, including more than 470 programs and more than 840 degree options. A major research center, the University attracts more money in federal research grants than any other public school in the United States. It has been home to eight Nobel Prize winners and 19 MacArthur Fellows, also known as “genius grant” recipients.

Beyond the excellent academics, the University of Washington features one of the most beautiful college campuses in the world. Located just four miles north of downtown Seattle, the campus offers stunning views of snow-capped Mount Rainier and nearby Lake Washington. In the spring, the University's many gardens bloom with color and its Japanese cherry trees erupt in spectacular pink and white blossoms.

What's more, with its excellent hospitals, medical centers and research institutions, the city of Seattle is one of the most innovative healthcare communities in the country.

Learn more about the UW and take a video tour of the beautiful 700-acre Seattle campus.