UW International Enrollment Hits Decade Low

International applicants to the Seattle campus now face a smaller student body and about $61,000 in annual undergraduate tuition.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in College Applications

UW International Enrollment Hits Decade Low

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The University of Washington's international student enrollment fell to its lowest level in at least a decade, while its first-year and transfer enrollment rose. The UW Seattle campus recorded 6,951 international students this year, down from 7,439 last year, in a report released Tuesday.

Why it matters

International students at UW pay roughly $61,000 a year in undergraduate tuition for 2026-27, so the enrollment drop reflects shifting costs and access for students considering study in Seattle. The decline follows federal actions targeting international student programs and student visas, and it comes as Washington posted the nation's largest percentage drop in international students from 2025 to 2026.

International undergraduate tuition at UW is about $61,000 and graduate tuition is about $45,000 for the 2026-27 school year. Washingtonians made up three-quarters of incoming students, and nearly 40% of incoming students are first-generation college students.

The players

University of Washington

A large public research university in Seattle whose international undergraduate tuition is about $61,000 a year for 2026-27.

Manifest Law

An analysis group that examined Homeland Security data to measure international student enrollment changes across states.

The details

International students enroll at UW through the same admissions process as other applicants and then pay the international tuition rate, which for undergraduates is about $61,000 a year in 2026-27. The university's count of 6,951 international students this year reflects students who enrolled, so a drop in that number means fewer international applicants were admitted and enrolled, even as overall first-year and transfer enrollment grew. Almost half of UW's international students come from China, so changes affecting Chinese student visas and enrollment have an outsized effect on the total.

2022-23 academic year: international student attendance at UW peaked, more than 15% above the current level.
2025: Secretary of State Rubio announced plans to aggressively revoke Chinese student visas.
2025 to 2026: Washington's international student enrollment declined close to 16%, the nation's highest rate.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: UW released its international enrollment report.

Education Landscape

International enrollment has fallen across the country over the past two years, and Washington recorded the nation's largest percentage decline from 2025 to 2026. UW's total is now more than 15% below its 2022-23 peak and the lowest it has been since at least 2017.

If you are an international student considering UW, check the current undergraduate and graduate tuition rates and ask the admissions or financial-aid office how those costs are structured for the year you plan to enroll. Students who are first-generation or transferring should also ask the university what support is available for their situation.

The takeaway

International enrollment at UW has dropped sharply even as the university's overall intake grew, which signals that the campus mix is shifting. Before applying, confirm the current international tuition rate and ask the admissions office how visa and enrollment policy changes could affect your timeline.