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Western Washington University

Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA · City · 13,544 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Jan 31 · Regular Decision · in 121 days
Checked Sep 2026 · admissions.wwu.edu
$21,193
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
65%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
54% typical
$62,569
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,177 typical
93%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
About

Situated between the Cascade Mountains and Bellingham Bay, Western Washington University is a premier public university celebrated for its strong undergraduate teaching and standout programs in environmental studies, education, marine sciences, and interdisciplinary studies. Undergraduates benefit from rare, hands-on research opportunities typically reserved for graduate students, utilizing distinctive resources like the Shannon Point Marine Center and the pioneering College of the Environment. Campus culture is progressive, collaborative, and deeply connected to nature, with an active student body that embraces the Pacific Northwest's premier hiking, skiing, and water sports. A hallmark of the university is its nationally acclaimed outdoor sculpture collection, which seamlessly integrates world-class art into the campus's forested coastal setting.

Wikipedia:Western Washington University is a public university in Bellingham, Washington, United States. It was established in 1893 as the state-funded New Whatcom Normal School, succeeding a private teachers' school founded in 1886. The university adopted its present name in 1977.

Location
Bellingham, WA, 98225-9008 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
SEA · Seattle
89 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$9,582$28,707
Housing & food (on campus)$15,747$15,747
Books & supplies$1,224$1,224
Cost of attendance$30,359$52,392
Average net price$21,193Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$28,707
In-state: $9,582
Housing & food (on campus)$15,747
Books & supplies$1,224
Cost of attendance$52,392
In-state: $30,359
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $21,193
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: admissions.wwu.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27
Western Washington University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$27,717
Fees$1,449
Housing$16,893
Books & supplies$1,224
Personal expenses$1,968
Transportation$2,691
Total published by the school$52,392
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$12,915
$30–48k
$14,147
$48–75k
$17,539
$75–110k
$24,301
$110k+
$27,984
Merit aid · 2025-26
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$2,659
Share of first-years who get one17%
Source: Western Washington University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
65%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
40%
Back for yr 2
79%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
68% graduated · 21% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 10% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$45,272
10 yrs after entry$62,569
Debt
Median at graduation$18,500
Monthly payment$196
Middle 50% owe$7k–$24.4k
90th percentile$30,438
Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (larger programs): 54% graduate within 6 yrs, $55,177 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
93%
Test policy
Test optional
Checked Sep 2026
SAT average
1289
R 590–710 · M 560–680
ACT midpoint
26
Comp 24–31 · E 24–33 · M 22–28
SAT middle 50%: 1150–1390
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Regular Decision
Jan 31 2027
in 121 days
Not binding: the standard deadline.
Checked Sep 2026 · admissions.wwu.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Western Washington University: Considered (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Western Washington University's Common Data Set for 2025-26 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If Western Washington University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 43%Women 57%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
18 : 1
Pell grant
21%
First-gen
27%
Family income
$51,312
Independent
17%
Veterans
0%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
9%
Race & ethnicity
White
69%
Hispanic
11%
Black
2%
Asian
6%
Two or more
8%
Non-resident
1%
AI/AN
1%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Rowing
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$45,272
After 10 yrs
$62,569
Psychology, General240
Natural Resources Conservation and Research207
Computer and Information Sciences, General128
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other128
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies115
Marketing115
Sociology106
Special Education and Teaching102
Business Administration, Management and Operations99
Human Services, General94
Political Science and Government90
History87
Communication and Media Studies86
English Language and Literature, General84
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs77
Fine and Studio Arts67
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$126M
Full-time faculty
71%
Faculty salary
$11,802/mo
Teaching spend
$13,138
per student
Federal loans
29%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Research activity
Research college or university
$23M research spending · 15 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if Western Washington University is the right fit for you?

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