The University of Washington (UW) is a public multi-campus university based in Seattle, Washington, with additional campuses in Tacoma and Bothell. Founded in 1861, it is one of the oldest universities on the West Coast. The Seattle campus, the largest of the three, spans 807 acres and blends Gothic architecture with a lush, green landscape. UW is recognized as a leading global research university, receiving more federal research dollars than any other public university in the U.S.; in fiscal year 2025, it received $1.74 billion in total research awards.
UW consistently ranks among the top universities worldwide. U.S. News & World Report ranked UW as #7 in the world for the 2024-2025 Best Global Universities. In the U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best National Universities rankings, UW fell to #46. Times Higher Education (THE) ranked UW 25th in the world for 2026. The university offers 499 programs and 865 degrees across its three campuses. A few notable inventions that originated at UW include bubblegum, vinyl, synthetic rubber, and the color TV tube. As the fifth-largest employer in Washington state, UW supports or sustains 111,951 jobs, contributing an annual economic impact of $21 billion.
