November 10, 2016
University of Washington fall 2016 entering class its most diverse ever
The University of Washington welcomed the largest and most diverse class of new students across all three campuses, in UW history, according to the finalized Fall 2016 census of enrolled students released by Philip Ballinger, associate vice provost for enrollment and undergraduate admissions.
The incoming new class across all three campuses, including freshmen and transfer students, totals 11,009, of which 8,285 – 75.3 percent – are Washington residents.
A record number of underrepresented students enrolled at the Seattle campus this year – 976 compared to 879 last year. In Bothell, a record 302 underrepresented students enrolled, compared to 268 in 2015. And in Tacoma, the number of underrepresented students grew from 302 to 368.
Increases in underrepresented students are largely due to successful outreach to prospective students and efforts by the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity to encourage enrollment of students who gain admission to the University. The office works directly with underrepresented minority, first-generation and low-income students to inspire them to pursue and prepare for higher education. OMA&D’s Multicultural Outreach and Recruitment unit, for example, hosts prospective students on campus to provide information about UW academic programs, financial aid and admissions procedures. Partnerships with K-12 school districts and statewide initiatives also seek to expand college access.
Total enrollment increased across all three campuses from 55,619 to 56,656 (45,918 in Seattle, 5,735 at UW Bothell and 5,003 at UW Tacoma), reflecting a progressive increase over the past decade.
Of the 56,656 enrolled students across all three campuses, 40,674 are undergraduates and 15,982 are pursuing graduate or professional degrees. The number of international students enrolled across all three campuses is 7,795 (13.8 percent) – 6,886 of 45,918 in Seattle; 589 at UW Bothell; and 320 at UW Tacoma.
UW Tacoma’s overall enrollment grew by 7.7 percent from 2015 to 2016, signaling the region’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to higher education. Enrollment of underrepresented minorities and women in STEM disciplines has steadily increased, going from 14.4 percent and 29.5 percent in 2013 to 18.5 percent and 32.7 percent in 2016, respectively.
Nine out of 10 students at UW Bothell come from King and Snohomish counties, and it is increasing opportunities for area undergraduate and graduate students by continuing to expand course offerings from downtown Seattle and Bellevue to Everett.
