Welcome to UW Tacoma

UW Tacoma is an urban-serving university providing access to students in a way that transforms families and communities. We impact and inform economic development through community-engaged students and faculty. We conduct research that is of direct use to our community and region. And, most importantly, we seek to be connected to our community’s needs and aspirations.

Accreditation

The University of Washington Tacoma is accredited as a unit of the University of Washington by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Learn more about accreditation.

The UW connection

UW Tacoma is one of three campuses that make up the University of Washington: the 158-year-old Seattle campus, and the Tacoma and Bothell campuses, both founded in 1990. We offer many of the same educational qualities as our sister universities — a vibrant campus setting; top-drawer faculty known for their teaching ability; a rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum; and high standards of social responsibility.

Students

UW Tacoma’s diverse student body includes a broad range of ethnic and family backgrounds, ages, interests and experience. More than 80 percent of students transfer to UW Tacoma from one of the many community colleges in the area or from other universities. Freshmen from high schools all over the Puget Sound and beyond make up a growing portion of students. Add to the mix students who are returning to school after years away, military personnel and their families, and professionals working on new career goals. Our students create a kaleidoscope of perspectives crucial to learning.

Learning

Education at UW Tacoma happens both in and out of the classroom. Our size means students have the opportunity to work one on one with faculty on research and service projects. This approach helps reinforce key concepts and provides students with practical experience they need to launch their careers.

Community

UW Tacoma is an urban-serving university, closely linked with Tacoma and the South Puget Sound. We’re a member of the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities, a network of public, urban, research universities committed to creating an educated workforce, building strong communities and improving the health of diverse populations.

Location

Set in the historic Union Station District, UW Tacoma owes its charm to century-old, brick buildings that were built to last by businesses that depended on the railroad in the late 1880s and early 1900s. The university has earned architectural awards for transforming these buildings into modern classrooms.

Campus

The 46-acre campus footprint is located on a hillside overlooking the Port of Tacoma and Mount Rainier, on the southern edge of downtown Tacoma, next to museums and the beautifully reconstructed Union Station. Within walking distance are an array of restaurants, attractions, businesses, shops, parks, museums and historic architecture.

Welcome to the University of Washington Tacoma. We are so excited that you're considering joining the Tacoma Community, we recognize that all of us at UW Tacoma learn, live and work on or near the ancestral homeland of the Coast Salish people. In particular, we are situated on the traditional territory of the Puyallup. As people on this occupied territory, we have responsibility to acknowledge the land, the ancestors who cared for this land since time immemorial, and all our indigenous connections today. We also have the responsibility to acknowledge the histories of dispossession and forced removal that have allowed for the growth and survival of this institution. In the light of this history, let us take active efforts to partner with our indigenous community members and neighbors as we continue our work together as a community of learners, leaders and educators. The University of Washington Tacoma campus is right in downtown Tacoma. Founded in 1990, the campus has grown to serve more than 5,300 undergraduate and graduate students in seven schools, offering more than 50 degree programs. Our mission as an urban serving university is to expand access to higher education in our region, foster scholarship, research and creativity to address the challenging problems of our time, partner and collaborate for the common good, and catalyze the economic and social vitality of the South Sound. Tacoma is a vibrant city in the South Puget Sound with over 200,000 residents and growing fast. Only 20 miles from the International Airport with Seattle and Portland close by and national parks in every direction. Tacoma is at the heart of the Pacific Northwest experience. Downtown Tacoma is situated right along the Thea Foss Waterway
and the Port of Tacoma. Right off the interstate, the campus is near four major museums, a theater district and the Tacoma Dome, the largest indoor entertainment venue in Washington State. Light Rail connects both ends of downtown and is expanding. The campus is integrated with the community and campus buildings also has dozens of restaurants, shops and services. While many of our buildings date back to late 19th and early 20th century Inside you will find modern classrooms and generously equipped lab space. The Snoqualmie power house is the iconic building on our campus. The old power plant now serves as a grand Reading Room for students and it's currently part of a renovation project to create a new Learning Commons with the library teaching and learning center and center for Equity and Inclusion. Public art like Maru highlight the beauty of our campus and provide a surprise around every corner. If you visit our University Y on campus, you'll find an indoor climbing wall and state of the art workout facilities. We hope you can see yourself on UW Tacoma as campus and in the South Sound of Washington State. See you soon.

Panoramic video playback may work incorrectly in your browser

Why Tacoma? Our Campus Community Life on Campus Community Partnerships and Research The City of Tacoma Welcome to UW Tacoma You Belong Here