About the UW & Seattle

The University of Washington, founded in 1861, 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 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.

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 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 startup business and technology culture. What's more, with its excellent hospitals, medical centers and research institutions, the city is a one of the most innovative health care communities in the country.

Seattle has a mild climate year-round, with very little snow in the winter and comfortable temperatures in the 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!