Drexel vs University of Washington: which is better value for money for an undergraduate degree?

For overall value, University of Washington tends to come out ahead for many students, especially Washington residents. Drexel can still make financial sense for a student who will fully use its co-op system and wants a career-focused experience built into the academic calendar.

UW is often the more cost-effective choice because you are paying less for a degree from a highly respected public university with strong outcomes in in-demand fields. Seattle living costs are not cheap, but Drexel’s private-school price tag is typically much higher, and Drexel’s co-op structure can stretch the undergraduate timeline depending on the program. If you are in-state for UW, the value difference becomes even more noticeable.

Drexel fits the student who wants work experience to be central, not optional. Its co-op program is one of the school’s biggest advantages, and for students in engineering, computing, business, design, or other applied majors, that can mean graduating with substantial resume experience and clearer job direction. For someone who learns best by alternating classroom study with full-time work, that model can justify the higher cost, especially if co-op earnings offset part of it.

UW fits the student who wants a stronger combination of lower cost and broad academic strength. It offers major research opportunities, access to a deep Seattle-area job market, and a more traditional four-year path for many students. In fields where internships matter, UW students still have strong access to them, but you usually need to be more proactive than at Drexel, where structured work experience is baked into the program.

One caution with UW is capacity-constrained majors. If your intended major is competitive to enter after enrollment, that can affect value if you are not admitted to the program you want. One caution with Drexel is straightforward cost: even with merit aid, many families find the net price high.

If the net price is anywhere close, I would lean toward UW for value. Drexel becomes compelling when its scholarship package is strong and you specifically want the co-op-heavy structure enough to make that extra cost feel purposeful.