Best Degrees of University of Washington (UW)
Choosing the “best degree” at the University of Washington is more than picking a popular major — it’s about aligning reputation, outcomes, rankings, and your personal interests. In this guide, we’ll explore UW’s top degree programs, using data, rankings, and insights to help you decide wisely.
We’ll weave in SEO / NLP keywords such as top UW degrees, best majors at UW, UW degree ranking, University of Washington programs, career outcomes UW degree and related phrases to help both search engines and readers.
Table of Contents
- Introduction: Why UW Degrees Matter
- How to Judge a “Best Degree”
- Top Degree Programs at UW (by strength, ranking, demand)
- Computer Science & Engineering
- Statistics, Data Science & Applied Mathematics
- Health, Nursing, Public Health & Biostatistics
- Information & Library Science
- Public Policy, Public Affairs & Social Sciences
- Business, Economics & Finance
- Environmental Science and Engineering Fields
- Comparative Data: Degree Outcomes & Rankings
- How to Choose the Best Degree for You
- Internal & External Link Suggestions
- FAQs about Best Degrees at UW
- Conclusion
1. Introduction: Why UW Degrees Matter
The University of Washington (UW) is one of America’s acclaimed public research universities. Its reputation, faculty, research output, and strong industry connections make its degree programs highly desirable. Wikipedia+2UW Homepage+2
A degree from UW opens doors — especially in Seattle’s tech, health, and research sectors. But not all UW degrees are equal in terms of prestige, outcomes, or job market alignment. This article helps you identify the best degrees at UW by combining ranking data, enrollment popularity, and career mapping.
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2. How to Judge a “Best Degree”
Before listing degree programs, we need a clear methodology. What makes a degree “best”? Here are criteria to evaluate:
| Criterion | Description |
|---|---|
| National / Subject Ranking | Position in U.S. News, QS, ARWU, or discipline-specific rankings |
| Graduate Outcomes & Salary | Employment rate, early career earnings, alumni success |
| Research Intensity / Funding | Grant dollars, lab infrastructure, faculty reputation |
| Industry Connections & Internship Opportunities | Proximity to relevant industry, local partnerships |
| Enrollment Demand / Selectivity | Popularity, competitiveness, “capped” majors |
| Interdisciplinary & Flexibility | Ability to combine with minors, double majors, or cross fields |
Using this lens, the following UW degree programs stand out as “best” in 2025 and beyond.
3. Top Degree Programs at UW
Here are some of the leading degree programs at UW, with data, strengths, and what makes them special.
3.1 Computer Science & Engineering
One of the most competitive and prestigious majors at UW is Computer Science & Engineering (especially via the Paul G. Allen School). UW’s CS program often ranks among the top in the country. UW Homepage+2UW Homepage+2
Reasons to consider:
- Strong research labs (AI, systems, theory)
- Proximity to Seattle’s tech giants (Amazon, Microsoft, etc.)
- Robust internship and job pipelines
- Cross-disciplinary options (CS + data, CS + biology, etc.)
Major popularity: According to College Raptor, UW awards ~480 bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science annually — making it the institution’s most popular major. College Raptor
Note: CS is often capped at UW, meaning not all initial applicants can declare it — be prepared for that. College Confidential Forums
3.2 Statistics, Data Science & Applied Mathematics
In today’s data-driven world, Statistics, Data Science, and Applied Mathematics degrees are in high demand. UW has a strong reputation and program in these fields.
- The UW Department of Statistics offers BS, MS, and PhD tracks. artsci.washington.edu
- In recent rankings, UW’s stats programs have been placed #24 for bachelor’s in national statistics rankings. College Factual
- The graduate UW Data Science Master’s program is growing, with students from diverse backgrounds, bridging math, CS, and domain knowledge. UW Homepage
- UW is ranked #7 in North America for Data Science (as a field) by EduRank. EduRank+1
Enrollment Snapshot (2022–23)
- 84 undergraduate majors in Statistics
- 44 undergraduate majors in ACMS-STAT (Applied Computing & Mathematical Sciences)
- 74 full-time MS students
- 53 PhD students artsci.washington.edu
These programs benefit from interdisciplinary integration (biostatistics, machine learning, economics, public health).
3.3 Health Sciences: Nursing, Public Health, Biostatistics
UW’s health and medical-related degrees are also among its strongest offerings. In recent U.S. News rankings:
- The School of Nursing holds the No. 1 spot among public schools offering Doctor of Nursing Practice. UW Homepage
- Public Health (and subfields like biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health) consistently rank in the top 10 nationally. UW Homepage
- The Evans School of Public Policy & Governance remains a strong public policy contender (e.g. ranked #7) UW Homepage
These degrees combine research, practical field work, and collaboration with public agencies and hospitals.
3.4 Information & Library Science
UW’s Information School (iSchool) is world-renowned. In 2025 rankings, UW tied for No. 1 in Library & Information Studies with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. UW Homepage+1
This program is strong in:
- User experience (UX), human–computer interaction
- Info systems, data management
- Archival studies, digital librarianship
- Cross-disciplinary work with computing, design, social science
If you’re interested in the intersection of technology, data, and society, iSchool is among the best.
3.5 Public Policy, Social Sciences & Public Affairs
Degrees in Public Policy, Social Work, Public Affairs, Economics, and Political Science are also highly regarded at UW:
- UW’s Evans School is consistently top-tier in public policy. UW Homepage
- Social Work is ranked #3 among related fields at UW. Wikipedia
- In rankings, Public Affairs (especially environmental policy, nonprofit management) ranks highly. UW Homepage
- UW offers strong interdepartmental opportunities — e.g., combining policy with data, environment, or health.
3.6 Business, Economics & Finance
While UW is known more for its technical and public sector strength, Business, Economics, and Finance degrees remain strong due to the Foster School of Business and strong regional industry ties.
- Economics and Finance are some of UW’s top awarded majors. College Raptor+1
- The business school emphasizes entrepreneurship, analytics, and experiential learning.
3.7 Environmental Science, Engineering & Earth Sciences
Given UW’s geographic location (near Puget Sound, Pacific Ocean, and natural laboratories), degrees in Environmental Science, Earth Sciences, Oceanography, Civil & Environmental Engineering hold special advantages.
- Students can take advantage of research in climatology, marine biology, and sustainability
- UW’s environmental health and public health programs also tie into the environmental science realm. UW Homepage
- Engineering departments may offer dual specialization in environment + systems, climate modeling, or water resources.
4. Comparative Data: Degree Outcomes & Rankings
To give you a clearer sense of how these degrees stack up, here is a comparative table with rankings or key metrics.
| Degree / Field | Notable Ranking / Metric | Strengths & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Information / Library Science | Tied for #1 in Library & Information Studies (US News) UW Homepage | Top reputation for information science globally |
| Nursing (DNP) | #1 among public schools offering Doctor of Nursing Practice UW Homepage | High demand, clinical + leadership track |
| Public Health | Top 10 in national rankings in epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health UW Homepage | Field impact is growing globally |
| Statistics / Data Science | Bachelor’s program ~ #24 nationally (College Factual) College Factual; UW ranked #7 for Data Science field in North America EduRank+1 | Strong research ties, growing future demand |
| Computer Science & Engineering | Consistently in top 10–20 nationally for CS components (AI, systems, etc.) UW Homepage+1 | Highly selective, high-paying jobs |
| Mathematics & Statistics in WA | UW is top in Washington for math/statistics in state rankings College Factual+1 | Regional dominance and strong early career salaries |
| Business / Economics | Among the most awarded undergraduate majors at UW (e.g. Finance, Economics) College Raptor | Commercial relevance, solid alumni network |
You might also consider the salary and outcome data. For example, degrees in CS, data science, and health often yield higher starting salaries, while public policy or social science might yield strong social impact or mid-career benefit.
5. How to Choose the Best Degree for You
Even with rankings and prestige, the “best degree” is subjective. Here’s a step-by-step checklist to help you choose wisely.
- Assess Your Interests and Strengths
- Do you enjoy programming, math, or data? Then CS or data science may suit you.
- Interested in health, wellness, or public good? Explore nursing or public health.
- Fascinated by society, policy or behavior? Public affairs, economics, or social sciences may fit.
- Look at Career Outlook & Demand
- Fields like AI, data, healthcare, environment are growing sustainably globally
- Use labor market data (BLS, LinkedIn insights) to evaluate demand for roles aligned with degree
- Consider Selectivity / Major Caps
- Some majors (e.g. CS, data) are capped, so you may have to transfer internally or meet criteria
- Check UW’s departmental admission rules (open vs constrained) via their Advising pages advising.uw.edu
- Seek Interdisciplinary Opportunities
- A combined path (e.g. CS + Public Health, Data + Policy) can widen your options
- UW’s structure often allows minors or dual majors in complementary fields
- Explore Research, Internship & Location Advantages
- Seattle-based clusters allow access to tech, biotech, environment sectors
- Use UW’s research centers and local labs for project experience
- Check Course Resources & Faculty Strength
- Look for faculty profiles, recent publications, lab funding
- Use recent syllabi to judge the rigor and relevance
- Plan for Graduate or Further Study
- Some degrees (e.g. research math, statistics) lay groundwork for MS/PhD
- Others (nursing, policy) may lead directly to professional practice
6. Internal & External Link Suggestions
Internal link ideas (to place on your site):
/uw-degree-guides/best-uw-majors/career-outcomes-of-uw-degrees/uw-data-science-program/uw-nursing-public-health-insights/how-to-choose-a-uw-major
You can embed those in relevant sections, e.g.:
Learn more in our UW Major Guide: Best UW Majors / Degrees.
External high-authority references you can link to:
- UW’s official Data Science Master’s program page UW Homepage
- UW’s Statistics Department fact sheet artsci.washington.edu
- U.S. News & World Report rankings summary (for UW program rankings) UW Homepage+1
- EduRank’s UW data science ranking page EduRank+1
- College Factual’s UW statistics ranking & data College Factual
These links add credibility and depth.
7. FAQs about Best Degrees at UW
Below are 5 important and unique FAQs (with answers) related to Best Degrees of University of Washington.
FAQ 1: Which degree at UW offers the best return on investment (ROI)?
Answer:
Degrees in Computer Science, Statistics / Data Science, and Health-related fields (nursing, public health, biostatistics) typically offer the highest early-career salaries and strong career growth. Their job markets are robust. However, ROI also depends on costs, major caps, and your performance. A well-chosen policy or social science degree with internships and specialization can still deliver excellent non-monetary value.
FAQ 2: Are majors like CS or Data Science “capped” at UW, and how does that affect choosing them?
Answer:
Yes, some majors (especially Computer Science and Data Science / AMCS) are capped or “capacity constrained,” meaning not all incoming students can declare them immediately. Students may need to meet GPA thresholds or complete prerequisites before being admitted into the major. This makes backup or dual path planning wise. College Confidential Forums+1
FAQ 3: How do UW’s rankings in subject-specific programs compare to overall university rankings?
Answer:
UW’s overall ranking is excellent (often among top public universities), but its subject programs often fare even better. For example, the iSchool (information) ranks #1 in library/information studies. Nursing, public health, and CS also rank top-10 in national subject rankings. UW Homepage+2Wikipedia+2
FAQ 4: Can I combine two “best degrees” (e.g., CS + Public Policy) at UW?
Answer:
Yes, UW supports double majors, minors, or interdisciplinary pathways in many cases, so you can combine technical and social fields. However, check departmental rules, course overlap, and time constraints. Some combinations may require extra semesters.
FAQ 5: How can I predict which “best degree” will still be relevant 10 years from now?
Answer:
Look for degrees tied to emerging global trends: data/AI, health analytics, climate and sustainability, public health, and information/data governance. Degrees that combine technical skills with domain knowledge (e.g. data + environment, health + analytics) are more resilient. Also, follow projections from labor bureaus and tech trend reports.
8. Conclusion
Choosing one of the best degrees of University of Washington is a balance of prestige, outcomes, and personal fit. UW’s standout programs — especially in Computer Science, Statistics / Data Science, Nursing / Public Health, and Information Science — consistently rank among national and international leaders. But “best” doesn’t only mean what’s highest ranked — it’s what aligns with your passion, capabilities, and career aspirations.
Use the comparative data, methodology, and FAQs above to guide your decision. Remember: a degree becomes powerful when paired with internships, research, networking, and real-world experience. UW offers all of that — now it’s on you to make the choice that’s “best” for you.
