The educational landscape of **Seattle, Washington** represents a diverse ecosystem of 2 institutions, ranging from large-scale public research hubs like University of Washington to specialized private colleges. For the 2026 academic cycle, Seattle has emerged as a prime target for value-seeking applicants. Our proprietary analysis of IPEDS data shows an average in-state tuition of $33,083, reflecting the region's economic standing within the Washington higher education sector.
Our proprietary index reveals how hard your SAT score works in Seattle.
Annual savings compared to the **Washington state average**.
A 1450+ SAT score could save you $11,854/year.
Navigating admissions in Seattle requires a dual-pronged focus on residency strategy and SAT-based merit aid. Seattle is categorized by Moderate academic rigor, which translates to a balanced environment where strategic preparation can yield massive tuition offsets through institutional aid. Applicants should focus on the **SAT-ROI Index** to identify specific universities in Seattle where their current score yields the highest financial leverage. With a **SAT-ROI Index of 319**, Seattle outperforms the Washington state average (278). This identifies the region as a **"Value Pillar"**, where students can achieve higher academic returns per SAT point compared to neighboring regions.
In Seattle, the SAT-ROI Index measures how much tuition weight your SAT score can offset. A higher index means your score has more power to trigger merit aid, reducing your out-of-pocket costs.
With an academic rigor rating of Moderate, Seattle universities range from moderately selective. On average, students need to target the top 25% of the local score range for the best financial outcomes.
Seattle's average ROI index is 319, while the state average is 278. This makes it a higher-value region than average.
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