Seattle U vs. Western Washington University

Should I go to Seattle University or Western Washington University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Seattle U 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

UW-Seattle Gonzaga SPU University of Portland Washington State UO UWT OSU EWU Central Washington University UWB USF
Seattle University vs. Western Washington University comparison
Seattle University Western Washington University College 3 College 4
Seattle University Western Washington University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Seattle U Western Washington University
Location Seattle, WA Bellingham, WA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 7,182 14,651
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #129 #364
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website seattleu.edu wwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Seattle U Western Washington University
Tuition (In State) $53,235 $7,997
Tuition (Out of State) $53,235 $26,564
Room & Board $14,748 $14,915
Avg Net Price $37,103 $22,096
Avg Grant Aid $31,727 $7,041
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 93%

Admission

Seattle U Western Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,976 14,243
Admitted 6,826 13,005
Acceptance Rate 76% 91.3%
Enrolled % 15.4% 24.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.62 3.46
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/30 23/29
SAT Range 1130/1350 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 Jan 15, 2026 Jan 31, 2026

Academics

Seattle U Western Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

Seattle U Western Washington University
Graduation Rate 71% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,400 $48,000
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $19,413
Median Loan Payment $253 $200

Diversity

Seattle U Western Washington University
% Men 14% 2%
% Women 28% 4%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 44% 73%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 9% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 9%
% International 11% 1%
% Unknown Race 9% 1%

Students

Seattle U Western Washington University
% In-State 54% 83%
% Out-of-State 43% 16%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Washington University is larger than than Seattle U based on total student enrollment (14,651 students vs. 7,182 students)

Seattle U vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Seattle U or Western Washington University?

  • Seattle University is 565.7% more expensive to attend than Western Washington University for in-state tuition ($53,235.00 vs. $7,997.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 100.4% higher at Seattle U than Western Washington University ($53,235.00 vs. $26,564.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Washington University than Seattle U ($22,096 vs. $37,103)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Seattle University are 1.1% lower than costs at Western Washington University ($14,748 vs. $14,915)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Seattle University than Western Washington University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle University students is 350.6% larger than aid received Western Washington University ($31,727 vs. $7,041)

Seattle U vs. Western Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Seattle U 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 Seattle U .

  • The average SAT score at Seattle University (1192) is 78 points higher than at Western Washington University (1114)
  • Incoming Seattle U students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Western Washington University (25)
  • Accepted freshman Seattle U students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Western Washington University (3.46)
  • Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Seattle U (76%)

Seattle U vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Seattle U 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 Seattle U.

  • The graduation rate at Western Washington University is higher than Seattle University (73% vs. 71%)
  • Graduates from Seattle University earn on average $12,400 more per year than Western Washington University graduates after ten years. ($60,400 vs. $48,000)
  • Western Washington University students graduate with a $5,087 lower median federal student loan debt than Seattle U graduates. ($19,413 vs. $24,500)
  • Western Washington University graduates are paying $53 less per month on federal student loans than Seattle U graduates. ($200 vs. $253)
  • More Seattle U graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Washington University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 71%)

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