News Release
Nov. 29, 2017
Contact: Laura Mansfield 425-324-1100, lmans@uw.edu
UW Bothell fulfills educational needs of students, region
BOTHELL, Washington — Student enrollment figures released for the 2017-18 academic year demonstrate the commitment of the University of Washington Bothell to provide access to an excellent UW education and, in particular, to serve a diverse and often underserved population from across the region.
Of the approximately 800 incoming first-year students in fall quarter, 45 percent would be the first in their families to earn a four-year degree. Of the approximately 800 incoming transfer students — the vast majority of whom transfer from a Washington state community college — 41 percent are also “first-generation” students.
Thirty-five percent of incoming first-year students and 32 percent of incoming transfers are eligible for Pell grants, the federal aid to students in financial need.
Of UW Bothell’s 5,995 total student body headcount, 57 percent come from King County and 27 percent from Snohomish County. The top five cities of residence are Seattle (15 percent), Bothell (8 percent), Lynnwood (7 percent), Bellevue (6 percent) and Everett (6 percent).
The overall student body also comes from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds: 40 percent white, 26 percent Asian, 10 percent international, 9 percent Hispanic or Latino, 6 percent African-American, and 6 percent indicated two or more races. (Less than 1 percent marked Native American or Alaska Native, and 2 percent did not indicate a race.)
UW Bothell has a commitment both to access and to diversity, says Chancellor Wolf Yeigh.
“By welcoming first-generation students and those who come from underrepresented and underserved groups, UW Bothell creates a learning community that has the power to develop individuals, transform generations of a single family and lift entire communities,” Yeigh said.
UW Bothell is also expanding access with academic programs in Bellevue and Everett and through both online and hybrid classes.
Overall, 30 percent of UW Bothell students are enrolled in first-year and pre-major programs. Of the students in a major field of study, 23 percent are in the School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics — the largest and fastest-growing school where degrees in computer science and software engineering are in demand. Seventeen percent are in the culturally rich School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences. Sixteen percent are pursuing much sought-after degrees in the School of Business. Nine percent are in the School of Nursing & Health Studies, and 5 percent in the School of Educational Studies, acquiring or augmenting professional skills.
There are 5,370 undergraduates and 625 graduate students enrolled at UW Bothell. The average class size is 29 for undergraduates and 17 for graduate students.
UW Bothell’s one-year retention rate is in the top 15 percent of similar public four-year universities in the nation. The six-year graduation rate is in the top 10 percent. In the 2016-17 year, 53 percent of undergraduates and 59 percent of graduate students graduated debt free.
Nine out of 10 UW Bothell alumni live and work in the state of Washington.
Read about UW-wide enrollment.
About UW Bothell: UW Bothell provides access to an exceptional University of Washington education to students in a campus environment that fosters student achievement. Offering more than 55 undergraduate and graduate degrees, options, certificates and concentrations, UW Bothell builds regional partnerships, inspires change, creates knowledge, shares discoveries and prepares students for leadership in the state of Washington and beyond.
