UW Bothell in list of colleges noted for affordability, access and success

In a national survey of 1,700 colleges, the University of Washington Bothell has been identified as one of 19 colleges that score well on measures of access, affordability and success.

In a national survey of 1,700 colleges, the University of Washington Bothell has been identified as one of 19 colleges that score well on measures of access, affordability and success.

The survey, conducted by the Center for Higher Education Reform looked for colleges where at least one-quarter of undergraduates were low-income, at least 50 percent of students graduated in six years and where the “net price” for low-income students was less than $10,000.

The University of Washington Seattle campus is also included in the list of 19 schools. No other Washington colleges were included.

The survey serves as a policy brief to determine how colleges will fare under a proposed new ratings system that would change the way the federal government distributes financial aid dollars. The proposal, made by President Barack Obama last fall, would appraise colleges on measures of access, affordability and student success.

UW Bothell Chancellor Wolf Yeigh says the listing is a reflection of the university’s commitment to providing access and opportunity to students in the state of Washington.

“Our campus is unique; about half of our students are the first in their families to attend college and 42 percent come from diverse backgrounds,” he said. “We are extremely proud of our 25-year legacy of providing a University of Washington education to talented students from all walks of life.”

The University of Washington Bothell is among the fastest-growing universities in the state of Washington and the largest branch campus in the state. The university has experienced a 74 percent increase in enrollment since 2009. For fall 2014, the university had a total student headcount of 4,605 and offered 36 degree programs. About 80 percent of UW Bothell students come from King and Snohomish counties.