Head to head · Washington
Which of these costs less depends on what you earn. At $75–110k and below, University of Washington-Seattle Campus is the cheaper of the two; from over $110k up, Washington State University is. Sticker price shows none of this.
| Household income | University of Washington | Washington State University | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $30k | $6,384 | $7,074 | $690 |
| $30–48k | $7,039 | $8,971 | $1,932 |
| $48–75k | $8,110 | $11,519 | $3,409 |
| $75–110k | $14,328 | $18,426 | $4,098 |
| Over $110k | $30,019 | $24,726 | $5,293 |
Green marks the cheaper of the two at that income. "Net price" is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education — not a calculator's estimate. Public-school figures reflect in-state families; out-of-state families typically pay more.
Parent PLUS loans: the caps and the trap →
FAFSA deadlines for 2027–28, state by state →
Each year's reported net price grown 3.5% — the same method College Compass uses inside a family's plan.
Listed University of Washington first, then Washington State University. Acceptance rate is the school's overall published figure — your student's own odds depend on their transcript, scores, and high school.
Again University of Washington first. The four-year graduation rate matters more than it looks: a fifth year is a fifth year of paying.
These are averages. Your family isn't average.
Run both against your student's real GPA, your income band, and your actual high school — odds with the math shown, and what four years would really cost you, side by side. First three schools free.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus — every income band · Washington State University — every income band · All Washington public colleges