Lewis and Clark vs. Western Washington University

Comparable Facts

Compare Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR with Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Washington University is larger than Lewis and Clark based on total student enrollment (14,710 students vs. 3,504 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lewis & Clark College is located in Portland, OR (Large City setting); Western Washington University is in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting).
• Lewis & Clark College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lewis & Clark College 12:1; Western Washington University 18:1.

Lewis and Clark vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lewis and Clark 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 Western Washington University than Lewis and Clark ($24,338 vs. $37,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lewis & Clark College are 0.6% lower than at Western Washington University ($15,648 vs. $15,747).
• Lewis & Clark College is 576.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Washington University (about $55,246 more per year; $64,828.00 vs. $9,582.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 125.8% higher at Lewis and Clark than at Western Washington University (about $36,121 more per year; $64,828.00 vs. $28,707.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lewis & Clark College than at Western Washington University (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lewis & Clark College students is 508.8% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($42,021 vs. $6,902).

Lewis and Clark vs. Western Washington University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lewis and Clark 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 Lewis and Clark.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lewis & Clark College (1300) is 30 points higher than at Western Washington University (1270).
• Incoming Lewis and Clark students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at Western Washington University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lewis & Clark College 1210/1390; Western Washington University 1150/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lewis & Clark College 28/31; Western Washington University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lewis and Clark - Test-free; Western Washington University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lewis and Clark Jan 15, 2027; Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lewis and Clark students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Western Washington University (3.46).
• Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.2%) than Lewis and Clark (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Lewis and Clark vs. 22.9% at Western Washington University.

Lewis and Clark vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lewis and Clark 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).

• The graduation rate at Lewis and Clark is the same as at Western Washington University (73% vs. 73%).
• Graduates from Lewis & Clark College earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Western Washington University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,900 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have a $5,087 lower median loan debt than Lewis and Clark graduates ($19,413 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lewis and Clark graduates ($200 vs. $253).
• More Lewis and Clark graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Washington University students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.