University of Washington (Seattle)

Admissions data checked October 9, 2026 by Florida Test Prep.

University of Washington (Seattle) reports a middle 50% SAT of 1333 to 1500 (enrolled who submitted scores, fall 2024). We use 1420 as a first planning target, then adjust it to the student's diagnostic and timeline. It is not an admission requirement or a guarantee.

The numbers

Source: UW official admissions data. A middle 50% describes the central half of the reported group, not a cutoff.

UW permanently dropped the SAT/ACT requirement in 2020; only about 0.15% of enrolled fall-2024 first-years submitted an SAT score.

Where UW sits among Washington colleges

Cohorts differ by school (admitted vs enrolled, and year). See every school with its cohort and source on SAT Scores for Washington Colleges.

Scholarship money tied to the SAT in Washington

Washington has no statewide SAT-cutoff scholarship. Its flagship aid program, the College Bound Scholarship, is based on income eligibility, a 7th/8th-grade sign-up, and a 2.0 GPA, not a test score, and every major Washington public university has gone test-free or test-optional, so automatic merit aid statewide runs on GPA alone.

College Bound Scholarship (Washington Student Achievement Council): Tuition and most required fees at a WA public institution (average-rate equivalent toward private tuition) for income-eligible students who sign up in 7th or 8th grade, graduate from a WA high school with a 2.0 GPA, and complete the FAFSA/WASFA.

Central Washington University Non-Resident Merit Scholarship: $15,000-$18,600 per year for up to 4 years for out-of-state admits with at least a 3.0 GPA; renews with a 2.75 CWU GPA.

The full rules, deadlines and class years are on our Washington SAT prep page.

Colleges in other states with a similar SAT range

A score that is competitive at UW lands in the same part of the range at these schools. Cohorts differ by school, so read each page's notes before comparing.

More for Washington families

• SAT prep in Washington
• SAT scores for Washington colleges
• Washington SAT test dates for 2026-27
• Find your teen's target score

Quick answers

What SAT score do you need for UW?

There is no published minimum; the middle half of the reported group scored 1333 to 1500. A score at or above 1500 puts a student in the top quarter of that group. A score near 1333 is within the range, and grades, coursework and the rest of the application still decide the outcome.

Is UW test-optional?

Yes. UW lists its policy as: Test-free for 2026-27 (SAT/ACT not required and not seen by reviewers unless self-reported). A score inside or above the range can still strengthen an application, and some scholarships and programs use scores separately.

What is UW's acceptance rate?

39.1% (fall 2024, 27,076 admitted of 69,166 applicants). Rates vary by program and residency, so read the overall figure as context, not a personal prediction.

Does a score above the range guarantee admission?

No. A middle 50% is a description of last year's group, not a cutoff in either direction. It tells you where a score is competitive, which is the useful part for planning test dates.

Want to know what your teen needs for UW? Their target, their gap and the weeks to close it are what we map in the free Strategy Session.