Whether your ambitions lie in venture capital, tech, entrepreneurship, or even aerospace innovation, Seattle likely has something to offer. This booming cultural and business hub shows no signs of slowing down.
By speaking with faculty at the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business, we uncovered the top reasons to consider Seattle for business school. These include unparalleled networking opportunities, an innovative curriculum, proximity to major companies, and stellar career growth.
5 Reasons To Choose Seattle For Your Business School Journey
1. Seattle is home to major big tech players and top industries
Anyone aiming to build a career at the intersection of business and technology should consider Seattle.
The thriving city is home to some of the biggest big tech companies in the world, including Amazon, Microsoft, Costco, and Expedia.
The presence of such big names does not come unwarranted. In 2023, Seattle ranked first for highly-skilled workers in technology—according to a report by Cities on the Tech Frontier.
Kay Dawson, assistant dean of MBA career management at the Foster School of Business, explains that the Foster Career Services helps MBA students gain experience with top companies. Past immersive company experiences have included Salesforce, Microsoft, Starbucks, Deloitte, and Accenture.
“The experiences show the students how to network and talk about a particular business challenge that a company is facing,” she says.
Seattle isn’t just renowned for its tech industry—it also has a thriving venture capital and startup ecosystem. The city is home to more than 25 VC funds and 1,400 startups, with software and SaaS companies making up 25 percent of these startups.
The University of Washington even partners with Pack Ventures, a pre-seed and seed-stage venture fund that invests in the university’s founders and companies.
For students aspiring to a high-flying career in aerospace, industry leaders such as SpaceX, Boeing, and Fatigue Technology are based in Seattle.
“[Seattle] is a unique combination of a city that has vibrant industries and companies, but it’s also a beautiful, safe, and innovative place to live,” says Erin E. Town, assistant dean of Full-time, Evening, and Global MBA programs at the Foster School of Business.
2. Seattle ranks second in the US for STEM employment
Seattle ranks second in the United States for STEM employment, making it an attractive destination for business school students pursuing an MBA or a master’s degree.
At the University of Washington Foster School of Business, students can pursue the STEM-designated Management Science pathway within the Foster MBA. This track enhances students' strengths in quantitative and analytical skills.
The STEM designation is particularly advantageous for international students planning to work in the United States after graduation. Through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, graduates can stay for 12 months after completing their degree and may apply for a 24-month OPT extension.
The median starting salary for Foster MBA grads is $145,000, based on data from the class of 2024. Foster MBA graduates have secured careers at leading companies such as Adobe, Amazon, Google, Nintendo, and NVIDIA.
Immersed in Seattle’s innovative landscape, the Foster School of Business incorporates the lense of innovation into all its programs.
For example, the Full-Time MBA offers electives such as Intrapreneurship: Developing New Products within Organizations, and Go-to-Market Strategy.
Foster also offers specialized master’s degrees in Information Systems, Supply Chain Management, and Business Analytics.
Students pursuing the STEM-designated Master in Information Systems can explore topics ranging from artificial intelligence and machine learning to cybersecurity and cloud computing, with opportunities to study these areas through experiential learning courses.
One of Foster’s strengths, according to Kay, is its integration of experiential learning. MBA students can participate in case competitions at the end of the first quarter, where they work on a case that synthesizes their learning from the program so far.
She adds that the relatively small class sizes, compared to many MBA programs, makes for a highly collaborative and immersive MBA program. The Foster MBA class of 2026 comprises 118 students.
Additionally, Foster students can benefit from global study trips to locations such as Guatemala and Portugal, with each trip focusing on a specific industry.
“[Study tours] are a great option if you don't want to be away for an entire quarter. It’s a packed experience—10 or more days of company visits and opportunities to explore the industry and culture in another part of the world,” says Erin.
Seattle is far more than just a city focused on careers and the tech industry. When you’re not working or studying for your business degree, the city offers a wide range of activities to help you unwind and re-energize.
“It’s a vibrant city with beautiful mountains and water—people often underestimate the positive impact these surroundings can have on everyday life,” says Erin.
With the Olympic Mountains to the west and the North Cascades to the east, Seattle provides plenty of outdoor activities, such as hiking, kayaking, skiing, and mountain biking.
Seattle proper has a plethora of diverse neighborhoods that all have their own unique food, art, and music offerings.
One such neighborhood, Columbia City, draws people for the diversity of food options, including Caribbean, Ethiopian, and Vietnamese restaurants, among many other types of cuisine.
Seattle's reputation as a music city lives on beyond being the birthplace of iconic musicians such as Jimi Hendrix and the band Pearl Jam; music venues small and large scatter the city.
Students can also enjoy the proximity to Woodinville Wine Country, and those with a passion for wine can even join the Wine Club at Foster.
Sports fans can also find activities to keep them busy as Seattle is home to many award-winning professional and amateur teams in football, hockey, soccer, basketball, and baseball.
With Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) handling approximately 1,400 aircraft operations per day, the city is also a well-connected hub for both domestic and international travel, making it even easier for students to explore new opportunities.
Taking time away from your demanding career or business school studies is crucial, making the choice of school location an important factor in maintaining a healthy approach to advancing your career.
The Foster MBA alumni network is 51,000-strong, so it's likely you'll not only connect with alums about their experience at Foster, but also connect with them personally through all Seattle has to offer.
5. The city is renowned for its entrepreneurial climate and startup scene
As you sip your favorite coffee at a local Starbucks, you might remind yourself that it was founded in Seattle’s Pike Place Market in 1971 before it became a multinational coffee giant. Starbucks is an example of Seattle's legacy of supporting innovative entrepreneurial ventures that have had far reaching impact.
The Foster School of Business emphasizes entrepreneurship across its programs. Students pursuing the Master in Entrepreneurship at Foster can engage in startup competitions, pitch clinics, and entrepreneurship challenges.
The Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship is a multidisciplinary hub where students can earn a certificate in entrepreneurship. The Buerk Center offers an exceptional curriculum, real-world experiences, and connections to the Seattle entrepreneurial community to inspire students from all majors and disciplines across campus to pursue their entrepreneurial passions.
“The value is in the interaction with local business owners and startups, and the opportunities to practice,” says Kay.
“We have a lot of students interested in entrepreneurship, whether they want to pursue it after graduation or not. They build those skills and have access to valuable resources,” she adds.
Students also benefit from a supportive and accessible network of companies, business leaders, and alumni, according to Erin.
“There’s a belief here that anyone can start a company—it’s a really great atmosphere for students,” she adds.
Who knows? Living and studying in Seattle might just set you on the path to co-founding the next tech unicorn.
