University of Washington-Seattle Campus

The flagship Seattle location of the University of Washington has emerged as one of the world's leading research universities, with more than 32,000 undergrads on that campus alone. Because of its proximity to Boeing's manufacturing facilities, the school has a particular expertise in aeronautics and counts many astronauts among its alums. UW has encouraging admissions odds for such a top-rated school: The school accepted about 51% of applicants. Undergraduates appear to thrive. About 84% freshmen go on to graduate, which is roughly 8% higher than would be expected given the make-up of the student body, according to Money's analysis. About half of students receive some form of financial aid; UW is known for its Husky Promise, which guarantees to cover tuition and fees for certain residents. The Huskies' athletics are big -- the football team often gets a bowl invitation, and many other teams also excel. The men's crew team recently won five national championships in a row. In addition to the hundreds of campus clubs, students can enjoy a wide variety of activities in the Seattle area. UW graduates report making an average of $58,200 in their early careers, which is 8% higher than alumni from similar institutions, according to PayScale.