10 Reasons You’ll Love UW Tacoma

by Anna Sommer

As a high school student exploring different college options, I’ve spent a lot of time researching what makes every campus unique. In the heart of downtown Tacoma, I found that the University of Washington Tacoma has a lot to offer.

UW Tacoma combines the resources and reputation of a world-class university with the close-knit atmosphere of a smaller campus. The unique, hands-on research opportunities, supportive faculty and staff, and a campus deeply connected to the South Sound community were especially appealing to me.

Unlike some of the larger universities I’ve visited, UW Tacoma offers an environment where personal connection is deeply emphasized. Professors know your name, classmates become collaborators and the city becomes an extension of the classroom.

Whether you are looking for academic excellence, real-world experience or a campus that feels exciting and personal, here are 10 reasons you'll love UW Tacoma.

1. Join a close-knit campus community

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1, at UW Tacoma you’ll find plenty of opportunities to build meaningful relationships and receive personalized learning and support. Small class sizes allow professors to identify individual strengths and weaknesses, leading to support tailored to their personal needs.

2. Explore all Downtown Tacoma has to offer

Unlike isolated college campuses, UW Tacoma is integrated directly into the city’s core. 

Students are within walking distance of many museums, including the Washington State History Museum, the Museum of Glass, and the Tacoma Art Museum. Easy access to these museums helps foster creativity and expression.

There’s no shortage of stellar views. The campus overlooks landmarks such as Mount Rainier, the Port of Tacoma and the Olympic Mountains.

3. Engage in immersive research activities

UW Tacoma gives undergraduate students access to meaningful research opportunities alongside faculty, often earlier than students may expect.

Opportunities abound for students at all levels to engage in research. For example, engineering and STEM students benefit from initiatives supported by grants from organizations like the National Science Foundation, expanding opportunities for discovery and innovation.

4. The community is your classroom

Tacoma Huskies can earn credit while working directly with community organizations, turning education into action.

Students regularly have access to opportunities with local community organizations, public projects and even learning opportunities at the state level.

For example, through the Washington State Legislative Internship Program, students gain experience working as full-time legislative staff, where they draft constituent correspondence, conduct research and track policy efforts.

At the Tacoma Little Theatre, theatre cohorts manage performances and sets. In their most recent partnership with UW Tacoma, students produced and performed the rock musical Spring Awakening.

5. Gain global experiences

While much of UW Tacoma’s focus is at the local level, students have plenty of opportunities to expand their horizons and engage in learning at a global level.

New programs continue to launch. For example, this summer, Urban Studies and Civil Engineering students have the opportunity to travel to Chile to study housing systems and examine innovative policy solutions.

Specialized travel and study opportunities are supported by the UW Tacoma Office of Global Affairs. The office offers study abroad and other global learning opportunities to expand learning beyond the classroom.

Students interested in adding a unique distinction to their bachelor's degree can also participate in UW Tacoma’s Global Honors Program. This challenging curriculum provides students with globally themed seminars, exclusive funding access and a final capstone thesis project.

6. An inclusive and innovative community

UW Tacoma’s diverse student body creates a culture of inclusion and belonging. 

More than half (52%) of all undergraduate students at UW Tacoma are the first in their families to attend college.

Nearly 1 in 5 students are affiliated with the military, either as student veterans, active-duty service members or family of a service member.

7. Dive into student life

UW Tacoma offers many student-led clubs — known as registered student organizations — ranging from cultural groups to academic societies, which help students build friendships and community.

Students also have access to on-campus facilities to support their overall well-being. Through a partnership with the YMCA, students have a free membership to the University YMCA Student Center on campus and all YMCA locations worldwide.

If what you’re looking for doesn’t already exist, you have an opportunity to create it. For example, UW Tacoma’s Office of First Gen was launched as a result of a student organization created by Tacoma Huskies looking to help other first-generation students navigate the unfamiliar challenges of being the first in their families to attend college.

8. A supportive community

Structured programs connect students with faculty and mentors who guide their academic goals.

Support extends beyond the classroom. Resources such as the Tutoring Centers, academic advising, mental health counseling and peer mentoring programs ensure that students feel welcome and supported.

9. The Tacoma Huskies alumni network

Once a Tacoma Husky, always a Tacoma Husky. Through resources like UW Husky Landing and the UW Alumni Association, students and graduates can connect with mentors, employees and fellow graduates. The university also regularly hosts alumni guest speaker events where graduates return to share career advice, professional experiences, and mentor current students.

Recognizable UW Tacoma alumni include an alumni network of over 35,000 graduates, including Eric Barone, creator of the incredibly successful video game Stardew Valley; MBA grad Karrar Hashem; the owner of the thriving local business chain Lune Cafe; and Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans.

10. Curriculum that connects to your future career

UW Tacoma’s ongoing partnerships with local businesses and community organizations create pathways for students to participate in internships, mentorship, and gain hands-on career experience.

Through UW Tacoma’s Internship Prep Cohort, students are matched with local employers and campus departments for a 4-week “micro-internship” experience that they can add to their resumes and use as a head start for longer internships or full-time employment.

Beyond short-term projects, programs in high-demand fields such as the Strickland Fellowship for Career Pathways provide students with real-world experience working on municipal projects in Tacoma city departments, helping them prepare for engineering careers close to home.

Ready to Take the Next Step? Learn more about UW Tacoma and get connected with our Admissions team.

Anna Sommer is a high school student who completed an internship with UW Tacoma’s marketing and communications team through Tacoma Public Schools’ Next Move Internship program.