Northwest University vs. Western Washington University

Should I go to Northwest University or Western Washington University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northwest University 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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Northwest University vs. Western Washington University comparison
Northwest University Western Washington University College 3 College 4
Northwest University Western Washington University
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Overview

 Northwest University Western Washington University
Location Kirkland, WA Bellingham, WA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 999 14,651
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #364
Religious Affiliation Assemblies of God Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website northwestu.edu wwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Northwest University Western Washington University
Tuition (In State) $35,535 $7,997
Tuition (Out of State) $35,535 $26,564
Room & Board $10,648 $14,915
Avg Net Price $25,917 $22,096
Avg Grant Aid $21,864 $7,041
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 93%

Admission

 Northwest University Western Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 586 14,243
Admitted 516 13,005
Acceptance Rate 88.1% 91.3%
Enrolled % 29.5% 24.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.46
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 24/29 23/29
SAT Range 1040/1325 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 Aug 1, 2026 Jan 31, 2026

Academics

 Northwest University Western Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (23%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

 Northwest University Western Washington University
Graduation Rate 50% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,400 $48,000
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,532 $19,413
Median Loan Payment $222 $200

Diversity

 Northwest University Western Washington University
% Men 12% 2%
% Women 21% 4%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 69% 73%
% Black 5% 2%
% Hispanic 8% 8%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 9%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 Northwest University Western Washington University
% In-State 79% 83%
% Out-of-State 18% 16%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Washington University is larger than than Northwest University based on total student enrollment (14,651 students vs. 999 students)

Northwest University vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

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

  • Northwest University is 344.4% more expensive to attend than Western Washington University for in-state tuition ($35,535.00 vs. $7,997.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 33.8% higher at Northwest University than Western Washington University ($35,535.00 vs. $26,564.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Washington University than Northwest University ($22,096 vs. $25,917)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest University are 40.1% lower than costs at Western Washington University ($10,648 vs. $14,915)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwest University than Western Washington University (99% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest University students is 210.5% larger than aid received Western Washington University ($21,864 vs. $7,041)

Northwest University vs. Western Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwest University 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 Northwest University .

  • The average SAT score at Western Washington University (1114) is 118 points higher than at Northwest University (996)
  • Incoming Western Washington University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Northwest University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Western Washington University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Northwest University (3.41)
  • Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Northwest University (88.1%)

Northwest University vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northwest University 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 Northwest University.

  • The graduation rate at Western Washington University is higher than Northwest University (73% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Western Washington University earn on average $6,600 more per year than Northwest University graduates after ten years. ($48,000 vs. $41,400)
  • Western Washington University students graduate with a $2,119 lower median federal student loan debt than Northwest University graduates. ($19,413 vs. $21,532)
  • Western Washington University graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Northwest University graduates. ($200 vs. $222)
  • More Western Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 62%)

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