University of Washington-Bothell Campus
Bothell, Washington · Public · 90.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 91/100 · Exceptional Value
UW Bothell ranks among the top ROI public universities in Washington state, scoring 91 out of 100. This branch campus of the University of Washington sits in the Seattle metro corridor, giving its 5,457 students direct access to one of the densest tech job markets in the country. Median earnings six years out hit $50,300 -- solid for a public school with in-state tuition of $12,919. The real story is what happens at 10 years: graduates earn $78,466 at the decade mark, reflecting how quickly tech-track graduates accelerate. The payback period is just 4.4 years, best explained by a program mix dominated by Computer Science (202 graduates), Business Administration (227 graduates), and Registered Nursing (116 graduates). Net price is only $12,319 on average, and the school carries a 0.291 debt-to-earnings ratio. The weak point is completion: only 65.3% of students finish. That is the main risk factor for students who enroll. The UW name on a diploma -- even from the Bothell campus -- carries weight with Pacific Northwest employers.
University of Washington-Bothell Campus scores in the top 10% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
University of Washington-Bothell Campus
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $12,919/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $43,155/yr |
| Average net price | $12,319/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $49,276 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $78,466 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $50,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $14,615 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $155 |
| Estimated payback period | 4.4 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 65.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 5,457 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Washington-Bothell Campus is $12,919/year ($43,155/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $12,319/year, or roughly $49,276 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $5,573/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $25,993/year.
The median graduate leaves with $14,615 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $155 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $78,466 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.29 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,573 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,350 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,415 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,215 |
| $110,001+ | $25,993 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $5,573 per year at UW Bothell -- less than $6k annually for a UW-affiliated degree. Over four years that is roughly $22,000 total. Against a median starting salary of $50,300 for all graduates, the payback math is strong. For Pell-eligible students who land in CS or nursing, this school is one of the best financial decisions available in Washington state.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Families in the $30,001-48,000 range pay $6,350 per year; those in the $48,001-75,000 range pay $8,415. The slope is modest -- net price rises about $2,000 between those brackets. The $75,001-110,000 bracket jumps to $15,215, a steeper climb that middle-income families should note. Overall, middle-income students still get good value given the strong earning outcomes across the tech and nursing programs.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
High-income families ($110k+) pay $25,993 -- reasonable for a school with median 10-year earnings of $78,466. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.291 is well within sustainable range. For families paying full price, the question is whether UW Bothell versus UW Seattle is the right tradeoff. Bothell offers smaller classes but carries slightly less brand weight for the most competitive employers.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Washington-Bothell Campus with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $78,771 | B+ |
| Computer Science | $175,616 | A |
| Biology | $59,443 | B |
| Public Health | $63,666 | B |
| Registered Nursing | $98,632 | A |
| Communication and Media Studies | $64,153 | B |
| Clinical Psychology | $52,771 | B |
| Accounting | $88,393 | B+ |
| Education, General | $65,217 | B |
| Marketing | $88,114 | B+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Science
Computer Science is the anchor program at UW Bothell. With 202 graduates and median first-year earnings of $128,887 rising to $175,616 at four years, this is one of the strongest ROI programs at any public university in the Pacific Northwest. The debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.125 -- graduates carry about $16,118 in debt against earnings that quickly exceed $100k. The UW brand in CS carries real weight with tech employers in the Seattle-Bellevue corridor, where Amazon, Microsoft, and hundreds of mid-size tech firms actively recruit. Graduates who pivot into roles like software engineer, data engineer, or cloud infrastructure find starting salaries well above the state median. The A roiGrade reflects outstanding financial return relative to cost.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is the largest single program at UW Bothell with 227 graduates. First-year median earnings of $49,004 climb to $78,771 at four years post-graduation. The debt-to-earnings ratio sits at 0.306, carrying a B+ grade. Graduates typically pursue roles in operations, project management, supply chain, and finance functions at mid-to-large employers in the greater Seattle market. The UW Bothell business program competes well against regional alternatives because the UW network provides placement advantages that smaller private schools in the area cannot match. Cost is low relative to outcomes, making this one of the better-priced business degrees in Washington.
Registered Nursing
Nursing graduates from UW Bothell earn $86,212 in their first year -- well above what most nursing programs produce. By year four that rises to $98,632. The debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.217 with an A grade. Washington State has significant demand for registered nurses, particularly in suburban and rural hospital systems surrounding the greater Seattle area. The UW network opens doors at major health systems, and graduates with a BSN from a UW campus are competitive for specialty unit positions that pay at the higher end of the nursing scale. With 116 annual graduates, the program is mid-size and maintains manageable cohort ratios.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 78.0% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 83.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 80.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 84.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 90.6% |
| Enrollment | 5,457 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 28.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $13,164 |
With a 90.6% admissions rate, UW Bothell is accessible to most applicants. The school does not publish SAT or ACT bands publicly, so selectivity signals come from program-level capacity rather than test cutoffs. Computer Science and nursing have tighter enrollment limits than the overall admissions rate suggests.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
UW Bothell scores 91 against peer schools that range from 66 (Central Washington University) to 68 (Eastern Washington University). CWU graduates earn $38,900 at six years versus UW Bothell's $50,300 -- a gap of $11,400. Eastern Washington earns $33,500 median at six years with a 0.517 debt-to-earnings ratio compared to UW Bothell's 0.291. The payback period at CWU is 8 years; at UW Bothell it is 4.4 years. Among Washington state public schools accessible to broad applicant pools, UW Bothell sits near the top of the ROI table, largely because the Seattle tech market rewards its graduates more generously than inland Washington markets reward graduates of the other regional campuses.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Washington-Bothell Campus (this school) | 91 | $12,319 | $78,466 |
| Michigan Technological University | 89 | $14,182 | $78,198 |
| University of California-Merced | 84 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| Sonoma State University | 81 | $12,885 | $65,986 |
| Central Washington University | 68 | $18,476 | $61,580 |
| Eastern Washington University | 66 | $13,886 | $57,897 |
Who Thrives Here
Students who come in with a clear STEM or nursing direction and stay focused tend to do well here. The 91% admissions rate means the school admits broadly, so it attracts first-generation students, community college transfers, and career changers. Pell Grant recipients make up 28.6% of enrollment. The campus suits working adults who want a UW credential without commuting to Seattle. Students who arrive undecided or without strong study habits face a real dropout risk given the 65% completion rate.
Transfer Pathways
UW Bothell has explicit articulation agreements with Washington community colleges, particularly for students completing the Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA). Many students start at Bellevue College, Cascadia College, or similar two-year schools and transfer in at junior standing.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University of Washington-Bothell Campus is one of the strongest financial investments in higher education. With a total 4-year net cost of $49,276 and median graduate earnings of $78,466 ten years out, the math works decisively in graduates' favor. The estimated payback period of 4.4 years is well below average.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $14,615 is very manageable against $78,466 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.