ASU vs. Western Washington University

Comparable Facts

Compare Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Appalachian State University is larger than Western Washington University based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 14,710 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); Western Washington University is in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; Western Washington University 18:1.

ASU vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or Western Washington University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Appalachian State University than Western Washington University ($14,978 vs. $24,338).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 18.3% lower than at Western Washington University ($12,868 vs. $15,747).
• Western Washington University is 26.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $2,003 more per year; $9,582.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at Western Washington University than at Appalachian State University (about $3,495 more per year; $28,707.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Washington University than at Appalachian State University (93% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Appalachian State University students is 16.1% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($8,014 vs. $6,902).

ASU vs. Western Washington University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or Western Washington University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Western Washington University and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Washington University (1270) is 70 points higher than at ASU (1200).
• Incoming Western Washington University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; Western Washington University 1150/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; Western Washington University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; Western Washington University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027; Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.
• 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 (93.2%) than ASU (90.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 22.9% at Western Washington University.

ASU vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and Western Washington University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Western Washington University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Appalachian State University's (65%).
• Graduates from Western Washington University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have a $1,087 lower median loan debt than ASU graduates ($19,413 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.