Is Arizona State University harder to get into than the University of Washington?

Yes. In general, the University of Washington is harder to get into than Arizona State University for freshman admission, especially for applicants from outside Washington and for students applying to high-demand majors. UW has a more selective overall admissions process, and entry to certain academic paths can be notably more competitive than simply getting into the university itself.

One important difference is how each school handles admission capacity. ASU is a large public university with a broad-access model and a more predictable path for academically qualified students. UW is also a large public university, but it attracts a very high volume of applicants for a more limited number of spots, which makes admission more competitive overall.

Another key factor is majors. At UW, some programs are capacity-constrained, and students may face additional competition either when applying directly or later when trying to enter the major. That matters a lot in areas like computer science, engineering, and business. ASU certainly has strong programs, but in general it does not have the same level of admissions pressure across the board.

Residency also makes a bigger difference at UW. Washington residents typically have an advantage compared with out-of-state applicants, while ASU is often more accessible for both in-state and out-of-state students.