University of Washington vs University of Oregon

University of Washington vs University of Oregon

The University of Washington (UW) is a Seattle-based top-ranked public research university with approximately 52,000 students across all its campuses. It is internationally known for its academic excellence in Computer Science, Engineering, Medicine, Business, and Environmental Science. Admissions are relatively selective with an overall acceptance rate of around 43%. UW boasts a robust six-year graduation rate of around 84%, and its graduates receive average starting salaries of USD $60,000–65,000 (INR 50–54 lakhs) per year.

University of Oregon (UO), Eugene, Oregon, is a big public research university that has approximately 23,000 students. It is renowned for offering courses in Journalism, Business, Environmental Studies, Education, and the Arts. Admissions are relatively easy with an acceptance rate of almost 85.1%. UO's graduation rate is around 74%, while alumni receive average starting salaries of USD $47,000–52,000 (INR 39–43 lakhs) per annum.

Overview Comparison
University of WashingtonUniversity of Oregon
Collegedunia Score7.2 Out of 104.9 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 76 QS World University 2025
# 7 US News 2024
# 25 Times Higher Education 2024
# 401 Times Higher Education 2026
# 751 QS World University 2026
# 401 Times Higher Education 2025
Subject Strength# 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
# 259 for Engineering by Round University Ranking 2020
# 551 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 78 for Law by US News 2024
ProgramsUG Programs -77
PG Programs -56
Doctorate Programs -1
UG Programs -56
PG Programs -15
Acceptance Rate0.0 %85.1 %
Exam ScoreDuolingo-120
IELTS-7
TOEFL-92
IELTS-6
SAT-1080
TOEFL-61
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   35166
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  31473
[For PG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  47925
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 23635 Per Year
placement (average package)

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).


80% of the MBA graduates get hired within 3 months after graduation. 91% of accounting students get hired within 3 months of graduation. Some programs and the average salary are as follows:

MBA                   $135,000

Bachelor of Arts  $75,000

Bachelor of Science $73,000 


application requirements

Coallition Essay
Answers to University of Washington Questions
Essay/Profile submitted to UW

Submit official transcripts

Submit LORs

Submit personal statement

Submit English language proficiency

Check program specific requirements

CollegeDunia Reviews7.4/10 Read 8 reviews9.2/10 Read 1 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 115 for Business by QS World University 2024
# 26 for Business by Times Higher Education 2023
# 151 for Business by QS World University 2026
# 88 for Business by US News 2025
# 501 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
exam scoresDuolingo - 130/160IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120Duolingo - 130/160GMAT - 610/800IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120
Return on Investment/Average Package#Average Salary105000#Average Salary
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application datesDec 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)
Nov 15, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake)
Jan 9, 2026 (Round 1 Decision Date For Fall 2026 Intake)
Feb 14, 2026 (Endowed Scholarships Deadline)
Mar 1, 2026 (Global Corners Award Deadline)
Mar 15, 2026 (Regular Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake)
May 1, 2026 (Regular Decision Date For Fall 2026 Intake)
Jul 24, 2026 (Final Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake)
Jul 31, 2026 (Final Decision Date For Fall 2026 Intake)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsUniversity of WashingtonUniversity of Oregon
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1861
1876
Student:Faculty Ratio9.5:1
19:1
Male:Female43% Male, 0% Female46% Male, 54% Female
Location Facts

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. 
 


The campus of the University of Oregon is located in Eugene, Oregon and includes some 80 buildings and facilities.


Library

Largest collection in Pacific Northwest
Won Excellence in Academic Libraries Award
Over 9 million collection of books, microforms, journals, etc
Over 3000 audio records of Pacific Northwest indegineous languages


The multi-branch University of Oregon Libraries serves the campus with library collections, instruction and reference, and a wide variety of educational technology and media services. The UO is Oregon's only member of the Association of Research Libraries. The main branch, the Knight Library, houses humanities and social sciences, Learning Commons, Music Services, Government Publications, Maps and Aerial Photos, Special Collections & University Archives, Media Services, the Center for Educational Technologies, and a Cinema Studies lab to be available in Winter 2010.


Campus Life

Over 60 fraternities and sororities
The Daily: UW Newletter
Over 100 registered student organizations
Ethnic Cultural Center
Museum of Arts and History
Graduate & Professional Student Senate
Varsity sports are a great part of campus life


On-campus living is more than just good food and convenience. You’re living with people from all over the world who are students at the UO, just like you. Join an Academic Residential Communities, study in the lounge or explore campus together, enjoy a meal with your roommate, and make the most out of your on-campus experience. The Erb Memorial Union (EMU) is the heart of campus. It’s your place to study, eat, come together as a community, or simply relax. The EMU is also home to 250+ student groups, diverse cultural events, and everything else that makes the UO such a vibrant campus. Opportunity for involvement is limitless. The 250+ student groups on campus offer a variety of experiences for you to add to your college experience. Whether you're interested in music, dance, theatre, politics, or the environment, there are opportunities for you to get involved and connect with other students on campus.  


Hostel-#On campus - $11450
#Off campus (with family) - $2349
#Off campus (not with family) - $9836
Famous Alumni

Four Nobel laureates, eight Pulitzer prize winners. 
Bill Gates Sr., Bruce Lee, Marilynne Robinson (novelist), Mark Edward Pope (former American basketball coach), Linda Buck (biologist) 


Sam Adams, first openly gay Mayor of Portland

Lee Bollinger, President of Columbia University and former President of the University of Michigan

Suzanne Bonamici, U.S. Representative from Oregon's 1st district

Kaitlin Olson, actress

Bill Bowerman, Track and Field coach and co-founder of Nike, Inc.


City Life

From intramural clubs to adventure activities, nature abound city has a lot to offer. Various national parks, Heritage monuments
Museum, theatre, comedy shows, and bumping nightlife. Seattle is a great city for cyanophiles. It is one of the nation’s tech capitals. It is home to Amazon and is one of the fastest-growing cities. The unemployment rate (Jul 2020) in the middle of pandemic reached 13.2%.
 


Eugene, Oregon, is a diverse and eclectic city located in the southern end of the Willamette Valley between two buttes and the scenic Willamette River. Framed by rolling wine country, agricultural lands, and lush green forests, Eugene offers easy access to stunning natural beauty as well as endless outdoor adventures. Eugene integrates the surrounding natural environment through extensive parks and path systems—no matter where you are in the city, you are surrounded by the dynamic beauty of the great Northwest. With a strong counter-culture heritage stemming from the 1960s, Eugene has long been an epicenter of green, sustainable lifestyles and values. Eugene is a quintessential college town that frequently turns up on lists of the best places to live, as well as lists of green and bicycle-friendly cities. The cost of living in Eugene compares favorably to many schools in larger cities. Whether on campus or off, you'll find a community that embraces students seeking everything from arts and nightlife to sporting events and family-friendly recreation.


Weather
Comparison Notes

University of Washington vs University of Oregon

Topic Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)

The University of Washington (UW) is far higher-ranked internationally than the University of Oregon (UO). UW is about 81 in QS 2026 and about 25 in THE 2026, with areas of strength in Medicine, Computer Science, Engineering, Life Sciences, Social Sciences, and Public Health. UO is about 751 - 760 in QS 2026 and 401–500 in THE 2026, with specific areas of strength in Business, Education, Environmental Studies, Journalism, and the Arts.

General Information

UW, established in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, is a large public research institution with ~60,000 students across its campuses, renowned for global research excellence. UO, established in 1876 in Eugene, Oregon, is a public research university with ~23,000 students, renowned for liberal arts emphasis, sustainability, and sports (particularly the Oregon Ducks).

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

UW is selective 43%, particularly competitive in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, and Health-related concentrations. UO is more open with an acceptance rate of 85.1%, making it welcoming, although Business, Journalism, and Environmental Studies programs are more competitive.

Research Impact & Facilities

UW is a Carnegie R1 research university, internationally recognized for medical, technological, public health, and engineering research, with collaborations with Microsoft, Amazon, and large hospitals. UO is also active in research, including environmental sciences, education, and journalism, with the world-class School of Journalism and Communication and sustainability-minded projects.

Cost & Financial Aid

UW tuition is ~$12,700 in-state and ~$41,000 out-of-state per year. UO charges ~$14,400 in-state and ~$42,000 out-of-state per year. Both provide need-based aid, merit scholarships, and research assistantships, although UO tends to recruit students with additional merit-based assistance.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

UW graduates excel internationally in STEM, business, health sciences, and technology, with close connections to Seattle's tech sector (Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing). UO graduates excel in journalism, education, arts, business, and sports management, with a particularly strong reputation in athletics and creative fields