University of Washington SAT & ACT Scores
The University of Washington in Seattle does not require the SAT or ACT for fall 2027, and its reviewers do not see scores in the normal read. Among enrolled students in the fall 2025 entering class who reported scores, the SAT middle 50% was 1320–1502 (median 1440) and the ACT middle 50% was 30–34. UW admitted 41.7% of 72,933 applicants.
Where does your score land?
Compared with University of Washington's enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class.
Is University of Washington test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
UW Seattle does not require the SAT or ACT; reviewers do not see submitted scores, though scores above the middle 50% may be considered for a small number of students who would not otherwise be admitted.
Checked October 29, 2026 on University of Washington's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- Fall 2021 entryTest-optional policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsTest-optional
UW dropped the SAT/ACT requirement for students entering in fall 2021 because testing sites were scarce during the pandemic, and in June 2020 it made the change permanent for later classes. UW calls itself technically test-optional and spells out what that means: reviewers do not see your test scores, and you are not disadvantaged for sending low scores or none. The one exception is that scores above UW's middle 50% may be considered for a handful of students who might not otherwise be admitted. Scores do not help in direct admission to engineering or computer science, the Honors Program, or admissions scholarships. Home-schooled applicants, and students from schools without letter or number grades, must still send the SAT or ACT, unless a home-schooled student has at least a year of college coursework.
University of Washington SAT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1320–1502, and the median was 1440.
SAT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| SAT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1320 | 1440 | 1502 |
| Reading & Writing | 650 | 710 | 740 |
| Math | 650 | 730 | 780 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students at UW Seattle who submitted scores (scores not used in review), fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set (Seattle campus). 19% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score.
What your SAT means here
Per the 2025–26 Common Data Set (Seattle campus), the enrolled students in the fall 2025 entering class who reported the SAT had a 25th percentile of 1320, a median of 1440 and a 75th percentile of 1502. Section ranges were 650–740 in Reading and Writing and 650–780 in Math. Only 19% of enrolled students reported an SAT score.
Only students who chose to report the SAT are counted, and reviewers do not use scores in the normal review, so this range does not describe the typical admitted student. UW says course quality and performance in your classes remain the focus of its review of academic preparation.
UW says scores above its middle 50% may be considered for a handful of students who might not otherwise be admitted. That is the only case it describes in which a score can help.
Take full-length Digital SAT practice tests free, with an explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
University of Washington ACT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 30–34 on the ACT, with a median of 32.
ACT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| ACT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 30 | 32 | 34 |
| English | 30 | — | 35 |
| Math | 28 | — | 34 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students at UW Seattle who submitted scores (scores not used in review), fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set (Seattle campus). 5% of enrolled first-years sent an ACT score.
What your ACT means here
5% of enrolled students in the fall 2025 entering class reported an ACT score. Their middle 50% composite was 30–34, with a median of 32. Section ranges were 30–35 in English and 28–34 in Math.
Treat this range as a rough reference only, since it counts only students who chose to report the ACT. Like the SAT, an ACT score is not seen by reviewers in the normal read, and low scores do not count against you.
Take full-length ACT practice tests free, with a worked explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
University of Washington acceptance rate
Moderately competitive: 41.7% of first-year applicants were admitted (fall 2025 entering class).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants72,933
- Admitted30,446
- Acceptance rate41.7%
- Testing for fall 2027Test-optional
Early application plans: No early plans; one first-year deadline (November 15) for autumn admission.
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: University of Washington 2025–26 Common Data Set (Seattle campus).
UW does not offer Early Decision or Early Action. All first-year applicants for autumn entry apply by the same deadline.
What to aim for
For most fall 2027 applicants, the practical target at UW is not a score at all. Put your effort into course rigor and grades, which UW says remain the focus of its academic review. If you already have an SAT at or above 1502 or an ACT at or above 34, sending it does no harm and may help in rare cases.
UW's holistic review also weighs personal achievements and context. If you are home-schooled or your school does not give letter or number grades, plan to take the SAT or ACT, since UW still requires scores from those applicants.
How University of Washington compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Florida | 40.7% | 1250 | 1160–1340 | 25–29 | Required |
| University of Wisconsin | 40.8% | 1450 | 1400–1490 | 29–33 | Test-optional |
| University of Washington | 41.7% | 1440 | 1320–1502 | 30–34 | Test-optional |
| Clemson University | 42.4% | — | 1250–1400 | 28–32 | Test-optional |
| University of Central Florida | 42.8% | 1280 | 1220–1350 | 25–30 | Required |
| Purdue University | 43.4% | 1360 | 1220–1470 | 28–34 | Required |
Frequently asked questions
Is University of Washington test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: UW Seattle does not require the SAT or ACT; reviewers do not see submitted scores, though scores above the middle 50% may be considered for a small number of students who would not otherwise be admitted.
What is the average SAT score at University of Washington?
The median SAT score of enrolled first-years was 1440 (fall 2025 entering class). The middle 50% scored 1320–1502, so a quarter scored 1502 or higher.
What SAT score do you need for University of Washington?
A score at or above 1502 puts you in the top quarter of University of Washington's enrolled first-years, and 1320–1502 is the middle 50% (fall 2025 entering class). Because the school is test-optional, those ranges come only from students who chose to submit.
What ACT score do you need for University of Washington?
University of Washington's enrolled first-years had a middle-50% ACT composite of 30–34, with a median of 32 (fall 2025 entering class). A 34 or above puts you in the top quarter.
What is University of Washington's acceptance rate?
University of Washington admitted 41.7% of first-year applicants for the fall 2025 entering class (30,446 of 72,933), which makes it moderately competitive.
How many University of Washington students submit test scores?
In the fall 2025 entering class, 19% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score and 5% submitted an ACT score. Some students send both.
What are your chances at University of Washington?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.