“The University of Washington brand in the heart of Tacoma — an urban public university delivering UW-quality education with a mission built on access, equity, and community impact.”
University of Washington Tacoma (UW Tacoma) is a public urban university and one of three campuses of the University of Washington system, established in 1990 to bring UW-quality education to the South Puget Sound region. Located on a 46-acre campus on a hillside at the southern edge of downtown Tacoma, the campus overlooks the Port of Tacoma and the dramatic silhouette of Mount Rainier — one of the most visually striking urban campus settings in the Pacific Northwest. The campus blends restored historic warehouses from Tacoma's 19th-century railroad and tideflat industrial era with modern academic buildings, creating a distinctive brick-and-glass aesthetic that reflects both the city's heritage and its tech-forward future. With nearly 5,000 students, UW Tacoma serves a predominantly working-adult, first-generation, and ethnically diverse urban student population, with a mission explicitly centered on access and opportunity. UW Tacoma organizes its academic programs across seven schools: the School of Engineering and Technology, the Milgard School of Business, the School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership, the School of Social Work and Criminal Justice, the School of Education, the School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, and the School of Urban Studies. Together these schools offer more than 50 undergraduate majors and minors and 15 graduate degree programs spanning business analytics, computer science, nursing, community planning, social work, education, and the arts. The university maintains deep ties to the Tacoma and greater Pierce County communities through research partnerships, practicum placements, and workforce development initiatives tied to the region's growing technology and healthcare economies. For international students, UW Tacoma offers a compelling value proposition as part of the globally recognized University of Washington brand at significantly lower out-of-state tuition than the flagship Seattle campus. Tacoma itself is a rapidly growing mid-sized city (population approximately 220,000) that has undergone dramatic urban renewal, with a vibrant arts scene, a growing tech and logistics sector, and world-class natural surroundings. Ranked No. 7 in Regional Universities West and No. 5 among Top Public Schools in the West by US News 2026, UW Tacoma graduates earn a median salary of $62,979 six years after enrollment. The campus is 30 miles south of Seattle, accessible by commuter rail, and minutes from Puget Sound outdoor recreation.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Regional Universities West
US News Best Colleges 2026
Top Public Schools West
US News Best Colleges 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Action
Receive admission decision by January
Autumn Priority
Priority deadline; applications after this date considered on a space-available basis
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
$12,458
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$40,956
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Launched in 2001 with innovative partnerships with area companies, internships, and funded research. Strong focus on computer science, IT, and engineering technology with Tacoma's growing tech ecosystem.
Comprehensive business programs from undergraduate through graduate, including nationally recognized programs in business analytics and accounting.
Integrates teaching, inquiry, and service in healthcare, with strong clinical partnerships across the South Puget Sound health system.
Strong community ties through local internships and practicum placements, serving Tacoma's diverse urban population.
Broad liberal arts and sciences foundation serving students across disciplines with programs in the humanities, sciences, mathematics, and social sciences.
Prepares ethical, reflective educators for K-8 and secondary certification and advanced graduate study in education.
Interdisciplinary programs focused on urban planning, policy, and community development in collaboration with Tacoma city agencies.
4 years
One of UWT's most popular and fastest-growing majors, connecting students to Tacoma's and Seattle's booming tech industry. Graduates earn a median salary of $67,196 within 6 years. Qualifies for STEM OPT extension.
1 years
A data-focused graduate program in the Milgard School of Business preparing students for careers in data analytics, business intelligence, and technology consulting. Open to F-1 international students. Qualifies for STEM OPT.
4 years
The flagship undergraduate business degree offering concentrations in finance, marketing, management, and operations, with direct connections to the Pacific Northwest business community.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $43,404
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
