University Tuition Cost in Seattle (2026)
Quick Answer
Partially verifiedIn Seattle, university tuition varies widely by institution and residency status. Verified annual undergraduate tuition ranges from about $12,973 per year for Washington residents at the University of Washington Seattle to about $55,452 per year at Seattle University, with international and non-resident students typically paying more at public universities. Community college and private university costs can differ substantially, so the best comparison is by institution and student type.
Overview
Seattle has a mix of public, private and community college options, and tuition depends heavily on whether you are a Washington resident, a non-resident US student, or an international student. For a four-year public university, the clearest benchmark is the University of Washington Seattle, where undergraduate tuition and fees are published separately for residents and non-residents. Private institutions such as Seattle University and Seattle Pacific University generally charge the same headline tuition regardless of US state residency, although total cost still varies with housing, course load and programme-specific fees. Community colleges in Seattle, including Seattle Colleges, are usually much cheaper than four-year universities, especially for local students completing lower-division study or professional/technical programmes. Most Seattle universities publish tuition as an annual amount for full-time study, but some colleges also list per-credit rates. The total cost of attendance is usually higher than tuition alone because students may also pay mandatory fees, books, health insurance for some international students, and accommodation. For international applicants, public-university non-resident rates are often a useful minimum guide, but some institutions publish dedicated international estimates that include extra fees. Tuition usually changes once per academic year, so always check the latest official tuition pages before applying or enrolling.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| University of Washington Seattle undergraduate tuition and fees - Washington resident(per academic year) Published undergraduate resident tuition and fees for UW Seattle. | $12,973 – $12,973 | Verified from source |
| University of Washington Seattle undergraduate tuition and fees - non-resident / international equivalent tuition category(per academic year) Published undergraduate non-resident tuition and fees for UW Seattle; international undergraduates commonly pay the non-resident rate at public universities. | $43,409 – $43,409 | Verified from source |
| Seattle University undergraduate tuition(per academic year) Published undergraduate tuition; private-university tuition is generally not split by in-state versus out-of-state residency. | ~$55,452 – $55,452 | Estimated range |
| Seattle Pacific University undergraduate tuition(per academic year) Published annual undergraduate tuition. | ~$38,940 – $38,940 | Estimated range |
| Seattle Colleges tuition - Washington resident(per academic year) Estimated range based on typical full-time annual tuition for community colleges in Seattle and Washington state; useful where programme load and per-credit billing vary. | ~$4,200 – $5,000 | Estimated range |
| Seattle Colleges tuition - international student(per academic year) Estimated range based on typical international tuition levels at Seattle-area community colleges and per-credit international rates. | ~$10,000 – $13,000 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Base tuition
- In some published figures, mandatory university fees
- Academic-year pricing for full-time undergraduate study where stated
Variants & Configurations
Duration
Most undergraduate tuition figures are quoted per academic year; a bachelor's degree typically lasts around 4 years full-time.
How Fees Work
Seattle institutions usually publish tuition either as an annual full-time rate or a per-credit charge. Public universities often separate resident and non-resident rates, while private universities usually publish one main tuition rate regardless of state residency.
Factors Affecting Price
- Residency status: Washington residents usually pay much less at public universities than non-residents and international students
- Institution type: community colleges are usually cheapest, public universities sit in the middle, and private universities are often highest
- Course load and programme: per-credit billing, lab-based subjects, nursing, business or specialist programmes can increase total charges
- Mandatory fees and living costs: tuition is only part of total cost, with student fees, books, housing and insurance often adding substantially
Local Context
Seattle tuition prices should be considered alongside the city's high living costs, especially accommodation. Washington State does not levy state income tax, but that does not reduce university tuition directly. For many students, housing and food in Seattle can add significantly to the annual cost beyond tuition.
Some figures here are still being verified.
Where a verified figure isn’t available yet, we say so rather than guess. For the most current pricing, check the official source below.
All prices are in US dollars and usually quoted per academic year unless otherwise stated.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- University of Washington Student Fiscal Services · official
Current tuition and fee dashboards for UW Seattle, including resident and non-resident undergraduate pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does public university tuition cost in Seattle?+
At the University of Washington Seattle, verified undergraduate tuition and fees are about $12,973 per academic year for Washington residents and about $43,409 for non-residents.
Do international students pay more in Seattle?+
Usually yes at public universities, because international undergraduates commonly pay the non-resident rate. At private universities, the headline tuition is often the same regardless of residency, but total costs can still rise due to insurance and other requirements.
Are private universities in Seattle more expensive than public ones?+
Usually yes for tuition alone. Verified examples include Seattle University at $55,452 per year and Seattle Pacific University at $38,940 per year, compared with the lower in-state public rate at UW Seattle.
What is the cheapest higher-education option in Seattle?+
Community colleges are usually the lowest-cost option. A reasonable estimated range for resident tuition is roughly $4,200 to $5,000 per academic year, though exact charges depend on credits and the college.
Is tuition the same as total cost of attendance?+
No. Total cost of attendance normally includes tuition, fees, books, housing, food, transport and sometimes health insurance, especially for international students.
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University of Washington Seattle tuition and fees
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