How does admissions selectivity compare between Arizona State University and the University of Washington?

The University of Washington’s Seattle campus is substantially more selective overall than Arizona State University. UW Seattle receives far more applications than it can accommodate and uses a holistic review that weighs academic preparation, course rigor, writing, activities, and context. Arizona State is designed to be comparatively accessible to well-prepared applicants and has multiple campuses and broad enrollment capacity.

At UW, selectivity can rise further for high-demand pathways, particularly computer science, engineering, business, and certain health-related fields. Admission to the university does not always mean direct entry into every major, so applicants should pay close attention to each program’s requirements and capacity.

ASU still has programs that are more competitive than the university overall, including Barrett, The Honors College, and some popular majors.

For a realistic list, treat UW Seattle as a reach or high target depending on your transcript and intended major, while ASU is more likely to be a target or likely option for students with solid grades and coursework. Check the requirements for the specific campus, major, and residency category you plan to apply under, since those details can change the practical level of selectivity.