UW-Seattle vs UC Riverside Introduction
In this article, we’ll be comparing two distinguished universities: the University of Washington (UW-Seattle) and the University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside). We’ve broken down the comparison into several key sections, including overviews, costs, admissions, academics, diversity, student life, campus features, alumni, rankings, and outcomes. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of the similarities and differences between these two institutions, allowing you to make a more informed decision when choosing between them.
UW-Seattle Overview
The University of Washington, located in Seattle, is one of the oldest and largest public universities on the West Coast. Founded in 1861, UW-Seattle is also a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The university offers a wide range of degree programs through its 18 colleges and schools, and it is particularly well-regarded for its strong emphasis on research.
UW-Seattle Costs & Tuition
Tuition at UW-Seattle varies depending on the student’s residency status and the chosen program. For the 2021-2022 academic year, undergraduate in-state students can expect to pay around $11,745, while out-of-state students will be charged approximately $39,114. Additionally, the estimated cost of attendance for in-state students, including housing, meals, and other fees, is around $30,800, whereas out-of-state students might expect to pay around $58,169.
UW-Seattle Admissions
Admission to UW-Seattle is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of 52% for the 2021-2022 academic year. Prospective students must submit an online application, along with official high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation. The middle 50% of admitted students had an SAT score between 1200-1470 and an ACT score between 27-33.
UW-Seattle Degrees Offered
UW-Seattle offers over 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across its 18 colleges and schools. Some of the most popular majors include Business, Engineering, Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Health Professions.
UW-Seattle Academics
The university boasts a strong emphasis on research, with many opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in faculty-led projects. Class sizes vary, with the student-to-faculty ratio being 19:1. The majority of classes have fewer than 50 students, allowing for more personalized attention from professors.
UW-Seattle Diversity
UW-Seattle is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community. As of Fall 2021, the undergraduate student population is approximately 53.3% White, 21.2% Asian, 12.5% Hispanic/Latino, 3.8% Black, and 9.2% other races/ethnicities.
UW-Seattle Students
The university has a total enrollment of around 47,400 students, with approximately 32,800 undergraduates and 14,600 graduate students. Student life is vibrant, with over 800 clubs and organizations to join, as well as numerous opportunities for sports, recreation, and cultural events.
UW-Seattle Campus
The UW-Seattle campus is situated on 703 acres in the heart of Seattle, offering both urban and natural beauty. The campus is known for its stunning architecture and picturesque views, including the iconic Drumheller Fountain and cherry blossoms in the quad. Additionally, the campus is home to numerous state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Allen Library and the Husky Union Building.
UW-Seattle Alumni
Notable alumni from UW-Seattle include Bruce Lee, Anna Faris, and Dr. Bonnie Henry. The university has a strong alumni network, providing opportunities for networking, career support, and lifelong connections.
UW-Seattle Rankings
UW-Seattle consistently ranks among the top public universities in the United States, with U.S. News & World Report placing it at #6 among public institutions and #58 overall in its 2022 Best Colleges rankings.
UW-Seattle Outcomes
Graduates from UW-Seattle can expect positive outcomes, with the university boasting a 84% graduation rate and 81% employment rate within one year of graduation. The median starting salary for UW-Seattle alumni is around $58,000.
UC Riverside Overview
The University of California, Riverside (UCR) is a public research university located in Riverside, California, and is part of the prestigious University of California system. Founded in 1954, UCR has grown to offer more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its four colleges and two professional schools.
UC Riverside Costs & Tuition
Tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year at UCR is roughly $14,245 for in-state students and $44,413 for out-of-state students. The estimated cost of attendance, including housing, meals, and other fees, is approximately $36,879 for in-state students and $67,047 for out-of-state students.
UC Riverside Admissions
Admission to UCR is competitive, with an acceptance rate of 56% for the 2021-2022 academic year. Prospective students must submit an online application, along with official high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation. The middle 50% of admitted students had an SAT score between 1130-1350 and an ACT score between 23-29.
UC Riverside Degrees Offered
UCR offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its four colleges and two professional schools. Popular majors include Business, Engineering, Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Health Professions.
UC Riverside Academics
The university is well-known for its commitment to research, with many opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in faculty-led projects. UCR has a student-to-faculty ratio of 23:1, and the majority of classes have fewer than 50 students, allowing for more personalized attention from professors.
UC Riverside Diversity
UCR prides itself on its diverse and inclusive campus community. As of Fall 2021, the undergraduate student population is approximately 35.3% Hispanic/Latino, 33.6% Asian, 14.1% White, 5.6% Black, and 11.4% other races/ethnicities.
UC Riverside Students
The university has a total enrollment of around 25,548 students, with approximately 22,055 undergraduates and 3,493 graduate students. Student life is vibrant, with over 500 clubs and organizations to join, as well as numerous opportunities for sports, recreation, and cultural events.
UC Riverside Campus
The UCR campus is spread over 1,200 acres in Riverside, California, offering a mix of urban and natural beauty. The campus is known for its attractive landscaping and state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Tomás Rivera Library and the UCR Botanic Gardens.
UC Riverside Alumni
Notable alumni from UC Riverside include Elizabeth Loftus, Billy Collins, and Kim Ji-Woon. The university has a strong alumni network, providing opportunities for networking, career support, and lifelong connections.
UC Riverside Rankings
UC Riverside consistently ranks among the top public universities in the United States, with U.S. News & World Report placing it at #34 among public institutions and #88 overall in its 2022 Best Colleges rankings.
UC Riverside Outcomes
Graduates from UC Riverside can expect positive outcomes, with the university boasting a 76% graduation rate and 75% employment rate within one year of graduation. The median starting salary for UC Riverside alumni is around $47,000.
UW-Seattle vs UC Riverside Cost Comparison
While both universities offer a high-quality education, there are some differences in costs and tuition. In-state students at UW-Seattle can expect to pay around $11,745 in tuition, while in-state students at UC Riverside will pay approximately $14,245. Out-of-state students at UW-Seattle will be charged around $39,114, while UC Riverside charges out-of-state students about $44,413.
When considering the overall cost of attendance, including housing, meals, and other fees, UW-Seattle estimates a total cost of $30,800 for in-state students and $58,169 for out-of-state students. In comparison, UC Riverside estimates a total cost of $36,879 for in-state students and $67,047 for out-of-state students. Thus, while both universities have comparable costs, UW-Seattle is generally more affordable for both in-state and out-of-state students.
UW-Seattle vs UC Riverside Admissions Difficulty
Both universities have competitive admissions processes, with UW-Seattle having a slightly lower acceptance rate of 52% compared to UC Riverside’s 56%. Additionally, the middle 50% of admitted students at UW-Seattle have higher average SAT and ACT scores, with SAT scores ranging from 1200-1470 and ACT scores between 27-33. In comparison, UC Riverside’s middle 50% of admitted students have SAT scores between 1130-1350 and ACT scores from 23-29. Thus, while both universities have challenging admissions processes, UW-Seattle is slightly more selective.
UW-Seattle vs UC Riverside Academic Difficulty
Both universities have a strong emphasis on research and offer a wide range of degree programs, with UW-Seattle offering over 180 programs and UC Riverside offering more than 120. Both institutions also have similar student-to-faculty ratios, with UW-Seattle at 19:1 and UC Riverside at 23:1. Class sizes are comparable, with the majority of classes at both universities having fewer than 50 students. While both universities provide rigorous academic environments, UW-Seattle’s slightly lower student-to-faculty ratio may offer more personalized attention from professors.
UW-Seattle vs UC Riverside Outcome Comparison
In terms of outcomes, both universities have impressive graduation and employment rates. UW-Seattle has an 84% graduation rate and an 81% employment rate within one year of graduation, while UC Riverside has a 76% graduation rate and a 75% employment rate within the same time frame.
The median starting salary for UW-Seattle alumni is around $58,000, while UC Riverside alumni have a median starting salary of around $47,000. In this regard, UW-Seattle appears to have a slight edge in terms of graduate outcomes, with higher graduation and employment rates and a higher median starting salary for its alumni.
