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University of Utah is a well-known public university headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah in the Salt Lake City metropolitan region. It is a mid-size school that has around 26,827 undergraduate students. The admissions are relatively competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 87.2% at the University of Utah. Some of the most popular majors are Computer Science, Psychology, Biology, Nursing, and Business Administration. Graduation rate is 67% for six years, and University of Utah alumni have a median starting salary of around INR 46,00,000 (ten years after graduation, equivalent to $55,239 median earnings).
University of Washington is a highly regarded public research university in Seattle, Washington in the Seattle metropolitan area. It's a large university with a student enrollment of more than 51,000 students, including some 32,000 undergraduates. Competition is stiff in admissions, with that of University of Washington coming in at approximately 43%. Popular degrees are Engineering, Computer Science, Business Analytics, Public Health, and Social Sciences. The graduation rate is 84% within six years, and the median starting salary of University of Washington graduates is around INR 75,00,000 (equivalent to $90,000 median earnings ten years after graduation)3.
| University of Utah | University of Washington | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.4 Out of 10 | 7.2 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 201 Times Higher Education 2026 # 540 QS World University 2026 # 114 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 76 QS World University 2025 # 7 US News 2024 # 25 Times Higher Education 2024 |
| Subject Strength | # 58 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 201 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 176 for Law by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 25 for Engineering by US News 2024 # 12 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2024 # 13 for Medicine by US News 2024 |
| Programs | UG Programs -210 PG Programs -95 Doctorate Programs -72 | UG Programs -77 PG Programs -56 Doctorate Programs -1 |
| Acceptance Rate | 0.0 % | 0.0 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-110 IELTS-6.5 TOEFL-80 | Duolingo-120 IELTS-7 TOEFL-92 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 27943 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 30500 [For PG Program] | Average Tuition Fees 35166 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 31473 [For PG Program] |
| placement (average package) | The University of Utah has maintained a reputable and well-defined placement rate throughout the years. Internships and jobs are available on campus at the University of Utah. Google, Biofire, Overstock, Skullcandy, Salt Lake County, and numerous others are among the top recruiters. Base Salaries by the Degree:
| Employability Ranking- #60 (QS); 93% engineering graduates placed within first placement cycle; Average salary- 78,172 USD; Top recruiters: The Boeing Company, University of Washington, Amazon.com Inc., Microsoft Corp, Expedia Inc.; Highest paying degrees: Doctorate (118,000 USD), Ph.D. (112,000 USD), MBA(111,000 USD), Masters in Science (93,000 USD), BBA (85,000 USD). |
| application requirements | Academic transcripts; 2-3 LORs; SOPs/ Essays; Resume; Standardized test scores; Proof of English language proficiency; Additional requirements as per program (work experience, research proposal, writing samples, etc.) | Coallition Essay |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 8.0/10 Read 10 reviews | 7.4/10 Read 8 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 251 for Business by QS World University 2026 # 40 for Business by US News 2025 # 401 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 115 for Business by QS World University 2024 # 26 for Business by Times Higher Education 2023 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 110/160IELTS - 7.5/9TOEFL - 105/120 | Duolingo - 130/160IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -30500 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - |
| Return on Investment/Average Package | #Average Salary | #Average Salary105000 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Jan 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) | Dec 19, 2025 (Round 1 Receive Notification by For Autumn 2026 Intake) Jan 6, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline For Autumn 2026 Intake) Feb 4, 2026 (Round 1 Enrollment Deadline For Autumn 2026 Intake) Mar 27, 2026 (Round 2 Receive Notification by For Autumn 2026 Intake) Apr 30, 2026 (Round 2 Enrollment Deadline For Autumn 2026 Intake) Oct 1, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For Autumn 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Utah | University of Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1850 | 1861 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 15.5:1 | 9.5:1 |
| Male:Female | 1% Male, 0% Female | 43% Male, 0% Female |
| Location Facts | 1,534 acres campus (including the Health Sciences complex, Research Park, and Fort Douglas) located east bank of the Salt Lake Valley, close to the Wasatch Range & approx. 2 miles east of downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. | Bordered by two lakes of Seattle, Cascade Range view on East, Olympic Mountain view on West, and Red square is the heart of campus. The university has been relocated twice in the past (1876 and 19th century). The main campus lies shores of Portage and Union Bays. |
| Library | 4 libraries: houses 4,574,050 (print plus electronic) volumes; University libraries also offer technical equipment and software, rare and unique research materials, a café, digital and analog listening stations, a technology lab, scores, books, and music periodicals. | Largest collection in Pacific Northwest |
| Campus Life | 100+ student clubs & societies; Campus attractions include: Natural History Museum of Utah, Kingsbury Hall, Pioneer Theatre, Red Butte Garden, Utah Museum of Fine Arts; Sports & recreation facilities include: Rice-Eccles Stadium, Ute Field, Jon M. Huntsman Center, Smith’s Ballpark, Ute Natatorium, etc. Events held: Redfest (annual fall concert), Grand Kerfuffle (annual spring campus concerts), Crimson Nights, weekend road trips, etc. | Over 60 fraternities and sororities |
| Famous Alumni | 4 Nobel Prize winners; 22 Rhodes scholars, 2 astronauts, various Pulitzer prize winners, Ed Catmull (co-founder of Pixar, president of Walt Disney Animation Studios & Pixar Animation Studios); John Warnock (co-founder of Adobe Systems Inc.); J. Willard Marriott (founder of Marriott International); E. Gordon Gee (past president of universities including Ohio State, Vanderbilt, Brown & University of Colorado); Robert A. "Bob" McDonald (CEO of Procter & Gamble). | Four Nobel laureates, eight Pulitzer prize winners. |
| City Life | Salt Lake City- Capital & most populous city in Utah; industrial banking center of USA; headquarters of the LDS Church; Popular attractions include: Temple Square that includes Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake Tabernacle, LDS Conference Center, etc; Olympic Cauldron Park, Hogle Zoo, Timpanogos Cave National Monument, Golden Spike National Historic Site; Unemployment rate: 2.4% | From intramural clubs to adventure activities, nature abound city has a lot to offer. Various national parks, Heritage monuments |
| Weather |
University of Utah vs University of Washington
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Both the University of Washington and the University of Utah are prominent western United States public research universities, although Washington generally ranks higher in all systems globally. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, Washington is ranked about 81th, while Utah is ranked nearer 540th. Using Times Higher Education rankings, Washington stands at 25th, and Utah around 201st, indicating Washington's wider academic reputation and global visibility.
In subject-specific rankings, Washington stands out in Data Science, Medicine, Engineering, and Environmental Studies, with multiple programs ranked within the global top 25. Utah is strongest in Engineering, Law, Medicine, and Public Health, with strong U.S. News placements in clinical medicine (#79) and oncology (#48). Washington's interdisciplinary model and close connection to tech and healthcare industries provide it with a competitive advantage in applied research, while Utah's areas of strength are in health sciences and innovation-based programs.
General Information
The University of Utah, established in 1850, is in Salt Lake City, Utah, and covers a 1,534-acre campus that encompasses the Health Sciences complex and Research Park. It has a student enrollment of approximately 35,000 with an evenly divided ratio of undergraduate and graduate students. The University of Washington, founded in 1861, is located in Seattle, Washington, and is among the largest and most research-oriented institutions in the U.S., serving more than 51,000 students, including 32,000 undergraduates.
Utah has a beautiful, research-oriented campus close to the Wasatch Mountains, while Washington has an exciting city experience with exposure to Seattle's tech, business, and arts centers.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Admissions at the two institutions are available as opposed to prestigious universities. Utah's acceptance rate stands at approximately 87.2%, whereas Washington's is more selective at 43%. Utah students usually report SAT scores ranging from 1110–1300, whereas Washington's accepted students have an average of 1190–1370 SAT scores.
Washington highlights academic emphasis and comprehensive consideration, particularly for competitive majors such as Computer Science and Engineering. Utah is supportive of in-state candidates and has a broad selection of undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Research Impact & Facilities
Washington's research facilities comprise more than 26 libraries, the Biological Sciences Building, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science, and partnerships with Amazon, Microsoft, and Seattle Children's Hospital. It is one of the top U.S. research institutions in terms of research output and innovation.
Utah's research community is centered by the University of Utah Health System, Eccles Broadcast Center, and Research Park, which sustain excellence in biomedicine, public health, and engineering. The university is also known to spawn high-impact startups and is ranked second in the nation for potential to create unicorn businesses.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both schools are state-run and comparatively inexpensive. Utah's in-state tuition is approximately $10,004, out-of-state is about $31,748, and estimated total annual expenses between $40,846 and $69,148, depending on where a student lives. Washington's in-state tuition is roughly $11,745, out-of-state is $40,740, and Seattle has higher living expenses.
Washington provides more comprehensive financial aid, with 89% of students being covered by grants, compared to Utah covering 73% of its students with aid. Utah's net price average is lower, thus making it more affordable in general.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Graduates from both universities enjoy strong career outcomes. University of Utah alumni earn a median salary of $55,239 ten years after graduation, with top recruiters including BioFire, Overstock, Skullcandy, and Salt Lake County. Utah’s alumni are prominent in healthcare, engineering, and public service, with high placement rates and personalized career support.
Washington graduates have an 85% positive outcome rate, with median salaries of about $78,172, and leading employers Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, and Expedia1. Washington's alumni network is large and powerful, with substantial presence in technology, business, medicine, and government.
