About the UW & Seattle

Founded in 1861, the University of Washington is one of the world's most prestigious universities. The UW enrolls more than 60,000 students each year and thrives as a center for groundbreaking research in a variety of 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. 8 globally and No. 2 among U.S. public institutions by U.S. News & World Report. It’s also been recognized by Reuters as the most innovative public university in the world.

The UW offers many areas of study, including more than 300 separate programs and over 600 degree options. A major research center, the University attracts more money in federal research grants than any other public school in the United States. The outstanding faculty includes seven Nobel Prize winners and 17 MacArthur Fellows, also known as “genius grant” recipients.

Beyond the excellent academics, the University of Washington has a magnificent campus. Located just four miles north of downtown Seattle, the main 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.

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

Seattle and the Pacific Northwest

Seattle is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest, one of the most spectacular and diverse regions in the United States. Blessed with clean air and water and surrounded by mountains, lakes, rivers and forests, it is a marvelous place to visit and to call home.

Seattle offers its residents the best of city and country living. Cultural attractions include world-class museums, an aquarium, a zoo, professional and college sports, a symphony and large annual film and music festivals. If you love nature and the outdoors, you will find excellent running, biking, hiking, camping, boating and skiing in the city or nearby.

For working professionals in the Seattle area, opportunities abound. Some of the world's top companies and institutions were started here and have major operations in the region, including Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, Costco and REI. The city also has a strong start-up business and technology culture.

Seattle has a mild climate year-round, with very little snow in the winter and comfortable temperatures in summer. It does tend to rain a bit, of course, but the city's average annual rainfall is less than that of Boston, New York or Miami. The rainfall keeps everything clean, green and growing!