ASU vs. Western Washington University

Should I go to Appalachian State University or Western Washington University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ASU or Western Washington University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Appalachian State University vs. Western Washington University comparison
Appalachian State University Western Washington University College 3 College 4
Appalachian State University Western Washington University
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Overview

ASU Western Washington University
Location Boone, NC Bellingham, WA
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 21,253 14,651
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #597 #364
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website appstate.edu wwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ASU Western Washington University
Tuition (In State) $4,242 $7,997
Tuition (Out of State) $21,238 $26,564
Room & Board $12,258 $14,915
Avg Net Price $14,712 $22,096
Avg Grant Aid $7,677 $7,041
% Receiving Grant Aid 47% 93%

Admission

ASU Western Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 24,001 14,243
Admitted 21,275 13,005
Acceptance Rate 88.6% 91.3%
Enrolled % 19.9% 24.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.96 3.46
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 23/29
SAT Range 1100/1280 1110/1350
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2026 Jan 31, 2026

Academics

ASU Western Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

ASU Western Washington University
Graduation Rate 65% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,600 $48,000
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $19,413
Median Loan Payment $211 $200

Diversity

ASU Western Washington University
% Men 3% 2%
% Women 6% 4%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 73%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 9%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

ASU Western Washington University
% In-State 87% 83%
% Out-of-State 13% 16%

Campus

ASU Western Washington University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Appalachian State University is larger than than Western Washington University based on total student enrollment (21,253 students vs. 14,651 students)

ASU vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or Western Washington University?

  • Western Washington University is 88.5% more expensive to attend than ASU for in-state tuition ($7,997.00 vs. $4,242.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25.1% higher at Western Washington University than Appalachian State University ($26,564.00 vs. $21,238.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Appalachian State University than Western Washington University ($14,712 vs. $22,096)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 21.7% lower than costs at Western Washington University ($12,258 vs. $14,915)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Washington University than Appalachian State University (93% vs. 47%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Appalachian State University students is 9% larger than aid received Western Washington University ($7,677 vs. $7,041)

ASU vs. Western Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or Western Washington University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Western Washington University or ASU .

  • The average SAT score at Appalachian State University (1157) is 43 points higher than at Western Washington University (1114)
  • Incoming ASU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Western Washington University (25)
  • Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Western Washington University (3.46)
  • Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than ASU (88.6%)

ASU vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ASU or Western Washington University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Western Washington University and ASU.

  • The graduation rate at Western Washington University is higher than Appalachian State University (73% vs. 65%)
  • Graduates from Western Washington University earn on average $6,400 more per year than ASU graduates after ten years. ($48,000 vs. $41,600)
  • Western Washington University students graduate with a $1,087 lower median federal student loan debt than ASU graduates. ($19,413 vs. $20,500)
  • Western Washington University graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than ASU graduates. ($200 vs. $211)
  • More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Washington University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/