The flagship Seattle location of the University of Washington has emerged as one of the world's leading research universities, with about 34,000 undergrads on that campus alone.
Because of its proximity to Boeing's manufacturing facilities, the school has particular expertise in aeronautics and counts five astronauts among its alums. STEM programs are popular at UW with more than half of degrees awarded in the STEM fields. UW has encouraging admissions odds for such a top-rated school: Some 53% of applicants get in and there’s priority acceptance for in-state students.
UW is known for its Husky Promise, which covers tuition and fees for certain residents. Overall, more than half of undergrads receive some grant or scholarship aid.
The Huskies' athletics are big — the student section is often packed to the brim for home football games at Husky Stadium, which overlooks Lake Washington. The close proximity to the lake also makes for a perfect training spot for the men's crew team, which has won 20 national titles over the 100-year history of the program.
In addition to the hundreds of campus clubs and a large Greek Row, students can enjoy a wide variety of activities in the Seattle area and can reach beloved hiking trails or skiing destinations in the Cascades in as little as 40 minutes by car.
